Long wait to tie the knot

Making plans: An event planner (standing) discussing ideas for a wedding reception at a venue in Kuala Lumpur. Most spaces are booked all the way into next year. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

Wedding venues filling up fast even as prices rise

PETALING JAYA: Love will just have to wait as wedding venues are booked out as much as a year ahead.

“If the client has a special date, then we recommend booking a year before the wedding because usually, the special dates will be in high demand,” said Mila Jirin, founder of the Bizmilla Wedding Centre.

Wedding wishes pent up by Covid-19 restrictions for two years exploded in 2022 and there was an unprecedented booking frenzy.

While that has calmed down, the demand for Malay wedding venues has returned to pre-pandemic times this year, say industry players – and they stress that couples should book six to 12 months ahead to avoid disappointment.

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And this despite the fact that, like everything else, the costs for weddings have gone up this year.

Mila, for instance, said there has been a big increase in management costs, especially as the cost of raw ingredients and labour costs, as well as rental costs of premises, are all rising.

“Based on our experience at Bizmilla, it is our biggest challenge as a business in the wedding and catering industry because the prices we market to customers have to follow market prices.

“The profit margin is smaller than before because we cannot burden the customer by passing this increased cost wholesale to the client,” she said.

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Again, she emphasised the need to plan ahead: “An early booking is highly recommended so that the customer can make plans more calmly and can compare prices to get the best price with the best service.”

Ruang co-founder Syazwani Razali also advised future newlyweds to book at least six months to a year in advance, and to find a wedding venue that will fit their budget.

“Booking six months in advance is comfortable but a year in advance is the best.

“Saturdays are always the highest in demand, and Sundays would be the second choice,” she said.

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Syazwani also said she is struggling with increased costs, especially of raw ingredients for the catering service.

“It went up by quite a bit, maybe between 10% and 15% for the prices of raw ingredients for catering,” she said.

Event director Muswati Latif of Gingerdutch Events also advised couples to book as early as possible to secure their dream date.

She said uncertain weather conditions have led to many people choosing to hold their ceremony indoors so that it is safer and more comfortable.

“Book as early as possible. A year in advance is better,” she said.

Muswati added that wedding costs have gone up by about half, pushed up by the rising prices of goods and labour.

“From food to decorations and bridal outfits to make-up artists, almost everything has gone up,” she said.

For instance, Muswati said that it now costs upwards of RM20,000 for an all-in wedding package for 500 people compared with RM14,000 before the pandemic (not including the venue rental fee).

A representative from event and performance venue Ampang Glasshouse said 2022 was better for business, with the performance and event venue having back-to-back bookings of various types of events.

“As for this year, up to June, it’s only been half a year and we are still catching up and trying to get more client bookings,” said the representative.

Ampang Glasshouse also advised clients to book a year in advance to avoid their coveted date being taken by others, especially for certain hot dates or months.

Science lab officer Anis Zulkifli, 27, and marketing manager Izzan Fitri, 28, who are planning to tie the knot in June 2024, are already scouting several wedding venues for their big day.

Anis said they would need to book at least a year in advance to secure their venue of choice and have been quoted RM30,000 and above for a 500-guest wedding package, and RM48,000 for 1,000 people.

Izzan said they visited six wedding venues so far but have not yet booked a venue.

“The nicer dates will be in high demand and will be fully booked.

“We have not yet booked but there are a few places that we have narrowed down to me and my partner’s family liking. We will make the booking soon, I believe,” he added.