Outdoor wedding receptions a hit

GEORGE TOWN: Outdoor weddings with a smaller number of guests are getting popular among young couples nowadays due to health concerns.

Penang Wedding Professionals Association secretary Evon Lye said most of her clients preferred to keep the number of guests at 80% of the maximum capacity.

“Although we are allowed to go for 100% capacity now, many couples still prefer to be safe than sorry by opting for a small number of guests.

“They also prefer garden or beach weddings, which offer the classic glamour style of ceremony.

“To keep the ceremony simple during the pandemic, many young couples have also done away with the fetching of bride ceremony and gate-crashing games.

“However, they still hold the tea ceremony as a mark of respect for the elderly.

“With the borders reopened, we expect couples to invite a lot of guests from overseas. There will be a lot of planning to be done,” she said.

The government had earlier lifted the 50% capacity limit for venues as part of its plan to transition the country into the endemic phase from April 1.

Lye said young couples who worked or studied in western countries preferred outdoor weddings for its romantic nature.

“Outdoor weddings will be more costly as we have to include physical arrangement like putting up canopies, tables, chairs and air coolers.

“We also have to worry about the weather and for that reason, we have to come up with a back-up plan in case of wet weather,” she said.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) national vice-president Khoo Boo Lim said amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many couples would still carry out the once in a lifetime event.

“Some couples prefer having their receptions outdoor, such as garden or beach weddings.

“It all depends on the couple’s preference and how they perceive a dream wedding.

“Hotel staff will put up proper protective gear and provide gloves to guests if it’s a buffet.

“Besides checking in with MySejahtera and showing their vaccination status, guests are encouraged to wear face masks at all times.

“There are many guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOP) to adhere to,” he said.

Meanwhile, MAH Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said there had been an increase in the number of hotel wedding receptions since the movement control order was lifted.

“To ensure the safety of hotel guests, we will ensure the SOP is strictly adhered to.

“Guests have to put on masks when they are not eating or drinking. There must also be physical distancing,” he said.