Shomporko Online News Desk: Wedding planners note that as larger weddings become more common across the country, the COVID-19 vaccination status of guests has become a hot topic.
Alexandra Slawek of Boutiq Weddings and Events in Calgary said some of her clients have stated that they only want guests who have been partially vaccinated, and she believes that more people will mention that need on invites.
“It appears to be the current trend, people are still afraid,” Slawek said, referring to the Delta strain of the virus.
“A lot of weddings have websites now, I wouldn’t be surprised if they put it as an asterisk on the website so please make sure you’re vaccinated before accepting the invitation.”
Meanwhile, Lynn Fletcher, founder of Lynn Fletcher Weddings in Calgary, said her clients definitely want their attendees to be vaccinated, but haven’t gone as far as making it a hard rule.
“I’ve definitely seen and heard a lot of clients talking informally and spreading word that way,” said Fletcher.
She said some clients are eager to get married after having had to postpone the big day three or four times.
For people who aren’t vaccinated, Fletcher said her clients have been willing to make some compromises, such as asking that those attendees get tested before the event.
She said unvaccinated people have been receptive to those compromises, especially since people are desperate for social interaction after being physically distant for so long.
Both planners say they’ve often been asked about their own vaccination status, and Fletcher said her plan is to ensure that any unvaccinated vendors at the wedding are required to wear masks and be tested before the event.
“We’ll probably wear masks anyway, especially for July while everybody is dipping their toes in the water and getting out of their shells,” said Fletcher, who added that all of her own organization’s staff are vaccinated.
“It’s more of a ‘we care about you’ gesture to wear masks where we can in the first few weeks of this opening we’re having.”
Slawek said there are a host of precautions that couples can take to further protect their weddings, especially if there will be some unvaccinated people attending.
Rapid COVID-19 testing, hand sanitizer, and masking requirements for persons who haven’t been vaccinated, she said, might all be options.
The two planners reported differing amounts of demand as regulations to loosen across Canada and the Alberta government plans to remove nearly all restrictions, including gathering limitations, on July 1.
Many of her clients, according to Slawek, are still hesitant to schedule a solid date because they want to see how the Delta version plays out first.
Meanwhile, Fletcher noted that queries more than doubled in the week following the Alberta government’s announcement that most restrictions would be lifted.
Source_ The Canadian Press
