A Variety of Opinions Received: Messages to Brides from Wedding Industry Companies

2020.04.25 published

From Companies and Brands to Brides.

With the state of emergency declared, weddings are being postponed or canceled nationwide.

I think you may have heard the voices and claims of brides who are in trouble on platforms like Instagram and Twitter...

"I don't see many corporate voices..."

"Companies must have a lot they want to say or communicate, so I want to hear it! It would be great to have a space to convey those messages."

So, I contacted companies that we are collaborating with at marry and solicited "messages to brides and initiatives being taken."

Here are the messages from the companies and brands that responded.

【1】 Wedding Photo ecoo

Hello. We are ecoo, a small wedding photography studio in Tokyo.

Almost all of our shoots in April and May have been postponed or canceled, and with no new customers in sight for the time being, we are daily struggling to find ways to protect our studio, photographers, and staff.

Amidst this, I have heard many painful stories from brides who have decided to cancel their ceremonies rather than postpone them.

Having been in the wedding photography business for 14 years, I have always felt the emotions of couples preparing for their weddings up close, and thinking about the hearts of those who decided to cancel this time truly pains me.

I wondered if there was anything we could do, and then I remembered an email from a customer who had previously asked us for a shoot.

It was a proposal to "create a wedding site for the two of you instead of the wedding ceremony."

I hope this idea can somehow brighten the spirits of those who have canceled.

Please check the details on the blog linked below.

➡︎ Here is the URL**

【2】 Bridal Inner Hug

Due to the impact of the coronavirus, many brides are being forced to downsize or postpone their ceremonies.

I believe you must be feeling frustrated, wondering, "Why now...?"

You are probably filled with tears thinking, "I worked so hard to prepare for this day..."

Just imagining those feelings makes us very sad too.

However, until the day arrives when brides can joyfully celebrate their wedding surrounded by the blessings of others, we want to do our utmost to support you.

Until you can meet that important day, we want to overcome this crisis together with you. Bridal innerwear is closest to your heart and body; we consider it our mission to support brides.

A smile for brides.

Bridal Inner Hug

➡︎ Here is the shop page

【3】 Accessories from JustMarried

The precious pre-wedding period might have been extended for some brides due to postponements.

Of course, there are feelings of anxiety as well. As a company involved in weddings, we wish for everyone to have a cheerful heart and want to support you.

During this time, while outdoor activities and anything that may lead to infections should be avoided, we believe there is no need to suppress your feelings.

On JustMarried's Instagram, we introduce various hairstyles from hair and makeup artists, hoping it can elevate your bridal spirits even a little.

Additionally, we are distributing limited sale coupons.

➡︎ Here is the Instagram account**

We sincerely pray that the day will come when everyone can joyfully celebrate their ceremonies.

【4】 Wedding Movies AMO

We have created an open chat group "Consultation Office for Wedding Postponement or Cancellation."

➡︎ Here is the URL

We have prepared a place on LINE where couples can discuss these issues with each other.

This initiative is not for profit, but we hope that wedding professionals can offer advice to couples who are in trouble right now.

➡︎ Here is AMO's homepage**

【5】 Dress Shop Innocently

Many brides must be feeling sad about having to postpone their much-anticipated weddings.

Brides scheduled for the fall may feel anxious about wanting to prepare but being unable to go out.

Dress shops are also shortening hours or closing temporarily, and we regret not being able to hear from brides directly.

However, this is a chance to gather information while spending a lot of time at home!

Utilizing sites like marry is good, and many wedding-related accounts continue to share information on social media.

Some shops are even providing messages and Q&A sessions that they usually do not, so be sure to check them out.

When the coronavirus situation calms down, please make effective use of your home time to prepare efficiently.

Our staff is also looking forward to the day they can meet you.

Dress Shop Innocently

➡︎ Here is the Instagram account**

【6】 Wedding Movies Favio

We have thought about what we can do as video creators for those whose weddings have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus, and we have released the online wedding, "WEB Wedding."

➡︎ Here is the URL**

There are two styles: recorded ceremonies and live ceremonies. The recorded type has messages recorded in advance on smartphones, which are presented with illustrations and motion graphics to create a simple wedding.

The live ceremony uses Zoom for online ceremonies, including a host, opening movie, and profile movie for a full-scale remote wedding.

We are offering a 50% discount for customers who use WEB wedding until June 30th.

➡︎ Here is the application URL

【7】 Place Cards x QR Code "Maruru"

All users of "Maruru" have had their ceremonies postponed from March to June.

Fortunately, everyone has confirmed a postponement date, and we can only extend the usage period.

However, I think there are various issues among brides, such as not being able to decide on postponement dates and budgetary concerns affecting venue conditions.

For those who have had their ceremonies canceled, we would like to offer "Maruru" for free to those who want to express their gratitude to guests.

➡︎ Here is the URL about the free offer**

Additionally, there have been such opinions.

I work as a staff member in a costume shop.

Amidst the nationwide emergency declaration due to the coronavirus, postponements of ceremonies continue. Yet, those scheduled for September and even next Spring have not canceled their fitting appointments.

The store is reviewing its business hours, but we already have customers who made bookings.

I contact those who have existing reservations due to the emergency declaration, assuming they will cancel due to self-restraint, but three-quarters reply, "Of course, I will go!"

Even when we reach out to request cancellations due to the store's closure, some do not consent. Moreover, many of those who will not cancel include educators and healthcare workers.

Honestly, I am filled with fear.

My venue hosts many ceremonies annually, so we have several reservations in a single day. Fittings are conducted very closely within the fitting rooms, and to take photos, brides and grooms must remove their masks.

I understand that choosing a dress is fun. I also understand the desire to go out during this period of self-restraint. I can appreciate the wish to see costumes when there's suddenly time.

But if a customer has COVID, will they take responsibility? If I have COVID, do I need to apologize to customers who came for fittings based on my self-judgment?

Not only that, but many customers are increasingly complaining to the venue about postponements or cancellations, blaming it all on COVID.

Customers may be having a hard time due to COVID, but we are in the same predicament. Please don't be selfish.

While serving customers, I can only feel distrust toward couples who are unshakeable in such circumstances, and I can no longer genuinely wish them congratulations. I feel unqualified to be a staff member involved in weddings.

Our staff has reached their limits.

I sincerely want marry to raise awareness about this current situation.

A request from staff to brides. What do you all think?

Brides bear painful feelings as brides, but it is evident that staff also carry their struggles, which is heart-wrenching.

It's tough to go against workplace decisions when you don't have the authority to decide whether to open or close the store...

Today, it was reported that Nitori's manager is demanding closure, while the company has not made that decision, and there were also news stories of electronics retailers not closing, making it tough for staff...

I think there are many people in various industries working under such circumstances, but we also received responses from those in the bridal industry regarding this message.

Let me introduce them.

①

Our company has decided to close stores as a basic rule. On top of that, we informed customers about changing fitting dates.

The point of contention is: There is no need for self-restraint regarding fittings.

It comes down to whether the store is open or closed.

Our company prioritizes employee safety and complies with the guidelines set by the Japanese government, deciding to close as part of our social contribution.

This is primarily a judgment for the shop, don't you think?

②

This should not be directed at brides but should be communicated to management.

③

Weddings should not just be for the couple but a place for expressions of gratitude to those who have helped them and a reunion with relatives who will care for them in the future, providing a public acknowledgment of establishing a household.

If couples have such an understanding, self-restraint would naturally occur. However, if this does not happen, the industry, including media that has flattered weddings as events for couples – especially brides – must take responsibility.

How can we encourage wearing cute dresses while saying, "Don't come because it's scary," then blame the couple when they contract COVID?

First and foremost, the entire industry and staff should consider this.

If thinking from the perspective of everyone, it's vital for wedding venues to apologize and should firmly refuse, regardless of any criticism or complaints they might receive.

Blaming couples and letting them proceed based on their self-judgment feels increasingly unjust. I think making people happy is something that requires sacrificing something in your own life.

If one only thinks they are in a job that makes people happy during good times and cannot endure challenges, perhaps they're not suited for this line of work.

It's crucial to reflect on which is more challenging: the people struggling with work or those distressed after paying 3.5 million yen for a once-in-a-lifetime event.

④

Solutions will not come from calling out to brides but rather require changing the other parties involved.

If attractive stores are open, owners will want customers to visit for revenue. Customers, in turn, want to attend those appealing stores.

Demand and supply exist through these two factors. It is impossible to change one side of this equation. So as a countermeasure, either the stores need to shut down or not remain appealing.

If that is the case, I recommend investing effort into closing stores.

Staff must unite to gather opinions and submit them to management.

There are risks. Employees who further endanger the company's management will not be viewed favorably.

But by taking risks, the power of language emerges. Conversely, words devoid of risk fail to resonate with people.

If you are genuinely committed, you can make it happen. If you are concerned about your risks, it might be better to wait for someone else to take the lead.

Everyone is struggling, and loud cries can be heard...

These days, it's tough to hold weddings, and it's painful not to be able to have one.

Working is challenging, but not being able to work is distressing as well...

The state that I once deemed normal has been shattered, and I am going through tough times regardless of what I do, but the world is indeed impermanent, with its ups and downs.

We often say, "Let's not regret!" but still, we are such small beings in this universe.

It is really hard to control life the way we want... I have felt that deeply.

Normally, uplifting industries are supposed to contribute to society, but the choice of "closing for the sake of social contribution" has also been heart-wrenching.

I must carefully consider what I should do or can do now... and what I want to do.

@bett_tertogether