Recent Stories from a Wedding Company: A Recent Wedding Featuring a Beautiful Bride!

2020.09.28 published

What Are Recent Weddings Like???

Hello, I am Haruno Tsuzaki from marry＊

Due to the impact of COVID-19, many weddings have been postponed or canceled until now, but it seems that since September, the proportion of weddings being held as planned has been increasing.

Because of the coronavirus, there's still a worry that we can't be completely at ease for two weeks after the event... However, haven't you noticed that there are significantly fewer posts related to "postponed" on social media recently?

Instead, I often see posts like "We went ahead with the wedding!" and "I attended a friend's wedding," which makes me feel happy thinking that there will be even more weddings to come! ♡

Until now, the information needed to make the decision whether to hold or postpone weddings may have been sought, but surely the information that will be necessary moving forward will focus on how to hold weddings and how current weddings are being conducted...

<So!>

I reached out to wedding-related companies that work with marry and asked them, "What are recent weddings like?"

I will share the responses I received, so please have a look! ♡

【1】

This is the story of a bride who postponed her wedding from March to September. She mentioned that to avoid limiting the number of attendees due to COVID, the wedding was held in two separate rooms.

A screen was set up in one room where the bride and groom were absent. The entrance for the dress change was done separately in each room.

During speeches, the one room that was not hosting the couple broadcasted the events on the screen. They created an option for the invitation where guests could choose between attending in person or attending online.

It was an impressive high-tech wedding that incorporated Zoom broadcasting, making it truly amazing!

To ensure that guests could return home without stress, they chose "gift delivery service" for the favors, specifically selecting Angel Delivery.

I heard this wonderful story during a thank-you call from a guest who enjoyed it!

【2】

In July and August, there were only a handful of weddings held, but in September, we assisted about 80% of the weddings that were planned without last-minute cancellations.

While some couples wore face shields at their weddings due to the pandemic, more than half proceeded without face shields and many couples also went without masks.

Guests are almost behaving as they would normally, with the exception of wearing masks when not eating.

I believe it's perfectly fine to carry out table rounds and small gifts as long as everyone washes their hands, gargles, and has their temperature checked.

For those worried about “What is actually happening at weddings during COVID...?” I want to tell them that it’s pretty much the same as usual!

There are still people holding after-parties and gatherings!

When I see posts on social media, it seems like there's a trend that the bride and groom should take the lead in infection prevention, but I think it’s sufficient to leave those concerns to the wedding venue while the couple goes with the flow.

Everyone is going about their lives normally now. So I encourage you not to be too anxious, and just enjoy your time! ♡

【3】

I work as a wedding planner. Lately, there's been a noticeable increase in guests deciding last minute, "I’ve changed my mind and I’ll come!"

There were many cancellations up until 1-2 months ago, but recently (likely due to the impact of the GO TO travel program), there’s been a significantly reduced mood of restraint about entertainment and travel, which has led to guests thinking, “I initially responded that I would decline, but actually I think I want to go to the wedding...”

If only a few more guests decide to come, there are generally no issues, so we accept all such requests and everyone is welcome to join.

Additionally, for those who still can’t come, there has been an increase in instances where guests bring in iPads or computers to show attendees who cannot make it the details of the day via Zoom or LINE video calls.

【4】

I work at the Hanayume desk. This is about a couple who came to consult about photo weddings.

Upon talking to them, they expressed, “I actually want to have a wedding as part of a closure,” and “my mother wants me to have the ceremony." So I provided them with an example of measures the venue is taking and proposed a small family ceremony, and now they are positively considering having a wedding.

When they left, they both had bright expressions and said, “Even during COVID, we don’t have to give up on having a wedding!”

【5】

I’m a wedding advisor at Hanayume.

There was a customer who canceled her wedding due to COVID and felt gloomy afterward, but when she considered trying to do just a photo wedding, she said she wanted to walk down the aisle with her father.

Furthermore, during a family meeting, they solidified their feelings to "hold a wedding," and when they consulted with me, they expressed that as long as they could have a wedding, that was enough.

Since I also had plans to have a wedding myself, I expressed my worries about “What’s going to happen...?” and they encouraged me with, “You can (or should) hold your wedding without worrying about anything! You absolutely should!”

The wedding advisor received support from the bride, and at that moment, my heart was warmed. We concluded our conversation with, "Let’s both have wonderful weddings!" and they are scheduled to hold their wedding this October.

【6】

A customer came to me at the Hanayume wedding desk feeling anxious, saying, “I really want to invite friends to my wedding, but I’m worried that they might not want to come due to the pandemic.”

I said, “Of course, I understand that you are concerned about the risk of infection, but because they are your important friends, there might be some who want to celebrate your special day and see you in your beautiful outfit.”

“The venue is properly implementing COVID measures, so if you are satisfied with the arrangements, it might be okay to invite them and leave the decision to attend or not up to your friends,” I suggested.

She seemed relieved and responded, “Ah! That means the people who come really want to be there!” Later, she reported back joyfully, “When I asked my friends, everyone said they wanted to come. I’m glad I decided to invite everyone!”

【7】

I work at the Hanayume consulting counter.

This couple loves traveling abroad and initially dreamed of a wedding overseas, with both the ceremony and honeymoon planned internationally. However, upon hearing about the spread of the virus, they began looking for a venue in Tokyo, feeling dejected.

Initially, they seemed to have lowered their expectations and thought, “If we can just have a minimal ceremony, that’s good enough,” but I introduced them to wedding venues along with suggestions for photo opportunities in Okinawa to help them feel some sense of a resort atmosphere.

After seeing reference photos of beach shots and sunsets, they exclaimed, “These are exactly the kinds of pictures we wanted!” and their feelings towards their wedding and the photos began to revive, leading to a collaboration with Hanayume Photo.

【8】

The bride I managed held her wedding at the end of August.

She used to be a planner herself and held her wedding at the venue where she used to work; she thought, “Everyone is too anxious about COVID and being considerate, so someone has to take the lead! I love weddings, and I’ll take the initiative! I want everyone to be able to have a wedding!”

Indeed, there were many weddings held in September and many more planned for October, and I am grateful to her for paving the way.

【9】

I am an active wedding planner. I believe many brides-to-be are changing their weddings to family or relatives only due to circumstances beyond their control, but I recommend a special "family introduction during the reception."

Normally, family introductions tend to be formal (laughs), but if you have the "bride and groom casually introducing their family with stories," it can create a warm atmosphere.

This is something that cannot be done with a large reception, so I highly recommend it! 🌸

【10】

We are a video company called KYOTO ETERNITY.

Last month, we were able to finish the ceremony smoothly. This time, we requested a profile video.

Although we felt anxious since it was requested only about a month in advance, we were pleasantly surprised that it exceeded our expectations, and we received words of joy saying that the guests found it enjoyable as well!

Additionally, my sister is also planning a wedding this year, so I introduced her to your services and expect to rely on you again.

... that was the feedback we received.

【11】

We are Semora Bridal, a bridal innerwear company.

Recently, we collaborated with marry for an Instagram live session, and afterward, we received a DM from a bride expressing that although she felt a bit down due to COVID, the cheerful and friendly nature of the live session encouraged her,

and she is now positively preparing for her wedding with a new outlook!

Hearing from brides invigorates us as a company as well. Let’s overcome this together and keep striving!

We Also Received Messages from Brides ♡

We held our ceremony and reception in the first week of September!

Since there were few people holding ceremonies and receptions right after the state of emergency was lifted, it was a cautious process with planners and venues unsure of what would be right, but (now that two weeks have passed), we successfully held our event!!!!

Until the wedding, my husband and I discussed and worried about whether to proceed several times, but everyone who attended told us it was fun and that they were happy to have been there, and I truly felt blessed; I’m so glad we went through with it!

Whether postponing or deciding to go ahead, we don’t know when it will be okay; there are various options like "holding a smaller scale event," "postponing," "having only a photo shoot," or "just a ceremony."

I believe that as long as the couple is satisfied with the decisions they make, any format can be right, so I’m cheering on making your unique style without being too negative!

Given the various restrictions during COVID (like using mouth guards while seeing off guests), I now think that perhaps, years from now, this will become a pleasant memory!

I am looking forward to attending a wedding in October as well＊

Over six months have passed since the issue of COVID-19 began.

Moving forward, it’s time to regain the richness of life and society while being mindful of safety and precautions instead of living in fear.

The members of marry had postponed a wedding that was scheduled for April this year, and that postponed wedding day is now just around the corner! ♡

I too am excited to be invited to a wedding of a close friend in October.

Living with masks is not only suffocating and challenging, but also inconvenient as I can’t use face ID, and I sometimes wonder about how this affects the character development of my child when all the adults' expressions are hidden by masks... (Though this is just an unfounded concern...) I really hope to return to life before COVID soon.

While keeping up with proper hand washing and gargling, I hope that everyone can move forward in their lives with their own choices as soon as possible.

We are still in a transitional period, but it’s clear that there are more things we can do now than from March to summer, so I intend to enjoy each day, leading to an increase in happy weddings, while working at marry.♡