Corona Daily 091: Micro-weddings and Mini-moons

Worldwide, the wedding industry is estimated to be worth $ 300 billion a year. USA’s share is some $73 billion.

The USA wedding numbers are now out. 2.13 million (2018), 2.13 million (2019), 1.11 million (2020). The wedding ceremonies that took place were sharply shrunk, budgets lowered, guest lists curtailed. The micro-weddings were followed by mini-moons instead of honeymoons. Instead of travelling abroad, couples settled for moving domestically, sometimes to a resort only a few miles away.

In 2019, the average wedding in the USA cost $25000+, most of it going to the reception ceremony. In the pandemic, nuptials took place in the family house backyard or online. The expense came down substantially, and wedding industry vendors had to adapt.  Hotels are offering elopement packages, bridal gown designers are creating shorter dresses and bakers are baking miniature cakes to be individually served.

Though there were fewer marriages, reportedly there were more than usual engagements. Couples found themselves locked in the house, or isolated away from one another; both were susceptible to realize love and get engaged. Pre-pandemic engagement rings had 1 carat stones. Now a standard engagement ring comes with a 2.5 carat diamond ($6000-$9000). Larger and more novel cuts of diamonds, including pear and heart shaped stones, are in heavy demand.

Some redirect the saved money on flowers. Instead of 200 guests, they are allowed 20. They are spending on expensive flowers, specialty arrangements and hanging installations.

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Newspapers had published scary stories of traditional weddings held courageously. In August 2020, a 55-person wedding in rural Maine spread infections across more than 200 miles, landing seven in hospital and killing seven in total. A 300-person wedding in Washington resulted in 61 cases, and 15 deaths.

When traditional wedding bookings dried up, Caroline Creidenberg began offering planned Zoom weddings. She bought a few dozen tripods, microphones and lights. There are virtual group dances, toasts and breakout rooms separated by virtual tables. The package costs $1200 excluding photo guest book ($100) and slide shows ($200).

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The Association of British Wedding Businesses reports that 36% weddings were cancelled or postponed. The £10 billion industry suffered a loss of £5.6 billion.

Nearly 80% of the world’s wedding gowns are stitched in China. Those made outside China also rely on Chinese fabrics and materials. Last year, when China closed its factories to curb the coronavirus outbreaks, brides in America and Europe were suddenly dress-less.

Next week, on 20 May, China celebrates its own Valentine’s Day. This year, more than 200,000 Chinese couples have registered for marriage licenses on that day.

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India holds 12 million weddings every year. Some couples don’t want to postpone because the auspicious date set by the family astrologer may not return in future. In Gujarat, reportedly 30,000 wedding ceremonies were cancelled. Those determined to abide by the date either married in a private ceremony or online. Shaadi.com is a popular matchmaking site. It now offers a “weddings from home” (its own form of WFH) service that provides a qualified pundit (Hindu priest), and tutorials for bridal make-up. Some Indian weddings have had hundreds of attendees online, and a live stream for thousands more.

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New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo went one step ahead in the online wedding business, and issued an executive order named “project cupid”. This for the first time allowed couples to apply for marriage licenses online, and not turn up in person as required by law.

In parts of Asia and Africa, weddings are ruinously expensive. Some shrewd young men and women are hurrying up to marry to save on expense. They can avoid falling in debt over their weddings.

It is an excellent thought to arrange a wedding cheaply, in the backyard or online with only the immediate families present. Postpone the reception ceremony to a few years down the line. That way, money wasted in marriages that don’t last long can be saved. Wise couples would do well to follow this wedding-reception distancing practice even after the pandemic is over.

Ravi