WEDDING professionals want Putrajaya to allow weddings on a smaller scale to help revive the industry hit badly by the Covid-19 pandemic.

They said the ban on weddings following the movement-control order (MCO) from March 18 has caused the wedding industry to suffer huge losses.

The industry is reported to be worth up to RM7 billion a year.

The Association of Wedding Professionals Malaysia (AWP) president Patrick Low told The Malaysian Insight that they’re not only affected by the suspension of weddings but also from postponements in the months ahead because of uncertainties.

“With the MCO, the wedding industry has ground to a halt.

“It is alarming to note that couples are also not planning for weddings in the future due to the uncertainty of when the MCO will be lifted.

“There is the uncertainty on what protocols that the government will issue in relation to mass gatherings post-MCO.”

The association supports micro businesses, such as photographers, gown designers, makeup artists, florists, decorators, cake designers, stationers and printers, entertainers and masters of ceremonies, thus the impact is felt by many involved in wedding planning.

“The Department of Statistics noted that in 2018, there were 206,253 weddings in the country. So, one can imagine how large the wedding industry is.

“Usually our association is involved in about 60% of the total number of weddings while the others prefer weddings on a smaller scale.”

A couple allocate about RM50,000 to RM80,000 for their wedding, including hotel, hall, catering, honeymoon and other expenses.

“So, we appeal to the government to allow weddings even on a small scale of 20-30 people and create guidelines that industry players can follow.

“This way, people in this industry can at least generate some income and not let their business suffer.”

The government has imposed a ban on marriage ceremonies to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infections.

Last week, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the marriage ceremonies are listed as prohibited activities under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), even though the country is in the conditional MCO phase.

Ismail said marriages can be held but only through government methods.

Ishraq Boutique owner Nur Shahadah Solehah, 34, is hoping the government will allow wedding ceremonies soon with guidelines that they can follow.

She said since the MCO was enforced, many businesses were affected.

“We hope to be able to resume our business to strengthen the economy.

“For example, it is possible to set an invitation limit for a party, and to prioritise social distancing.

“Buffets should not be allowed and only table dining to reduce the movement of people in the wedding hall.”

Photographer Mohd Zulhilmi Sulaiman, 27, is suffering because of the ban on weddings.

He said because of the ban, 80% -90% of his clients have postponed their wedding.

“Many of my customers have also stopped making reservations because of the uncertainties,” said the owner of Awantona wedding photography.

Zulhilmi added that he has to find alternatives to generate income and pay his employees.

He now helps his father run a meat supply business that used to operate only during holidays but now running full time to supplement his income.

“For me, everything that is related to weddings is affected and we can’t depend on it to earn an income.

“I’ve seen industry players all doing alternative businesses to survive.” – May 25, 2020.