For people who make a living from weddings in Prince Edward Island, the summer of 2021 is shaping up to be uncertain.
Many couples who were planning to get married on the island in 2020 have postponed their wedding, but those working in the wedding industry say some are still reluctant to book for this summer, given the pandemic’s gathering limits and travel restrictions still in place.
“A lot of our clients have A, B, C, D plans. So with most of my couples what we’re talking about is like their minimum gathering. What is it worth for them to have? Who needs to be there for that makes sense? â€Said Kristina Allen, a wedding planner who owns Elysian Weddings and Events.
Allen said she has a good number of weddings planned for this summer, but it’s smaller events that will make her less money.
“I’m looking at runaways or mini-weddings, rather than full weddings. So where normally my team would be there for a 12 or 14 hour day, we’re now looking at a two or three hour package,” Allen says.
“It’s a lot more work, often for the same price or less.”
Thank goodness I have a second job because if that was my main income I would be in trouble.– Tyler Jeffery, owner of Tyler’s DJ service
Currently, wedding ceremonies in Prince Edward Island can have two cohorts of 50 people with an approved plan, and indoor receptions are limited to 50 people in total.
Dances are also prohibited. And partly because of that, DJ Tyler Jeffery, owner of Tyler’s DJ service, is feeling the pinch for the coming season.
“It really took a hit on me, because who’s going to pay money for a DJ if he can’t dance?” Jeffery said.
He estimates that 85% of his summer bookings are usually weddings. And this year, its schedule is very different.
“Now they’re starting to book in 2022 … we’re kind of deadlocked, people are just holding on,†Jeffery said.
“Thank goodness I have a second job because if it was my main income I would be in trouble.”
“ Extremely difficult to plan ”
At Caseley’s Tent and Party Rentals, general manager Jamie Caseley is hoping for a better season ahead than in 2020.
“It’s extremely difficult to plan right now, and we hear this daily from our customers,†Caseley said.
Caseley said his company has been in contact with the Chief Public Health Office to find out when the restrictions might change.
“We have tried to be patient so far. But we are really in a period where we have to start having answers,†he said.
“We really need some type of plan. And it doesn’t have to be a firm date. What we’re looking for, as an industry, is what can it look like if everything continues. to go in a positive way? “
Learn more about CBC PEI
