Corona slaughter Great impact on weddings 240,000 pairs postponed or canceled Industry estimates

The protracted corona wreck has a great impact on the wedding ceremony, which is a new beginning of life.

According to estimates by bridal industry groups based on a survey of wedding halls, about 240,000 weddings were forced to be postponed or canceled in the last year, and the economic loss of the industry is estimated to be about 850 billion yen. I understand.

The Bridal Industry Association of Japan, which is a member of ceremonial halls and hotels, conducted a questionnaire survey on wedding ceremonies at various ceremonial halls and estimated the economic impact on the industry over the last year.

According to the report, about 240,000 weddings were forced to be postponed or canceled due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection last year, which seems to have affected about 80% of the couples who hold the ceremony in a year. I understand.

The industry's economic loss is estimated to be around 850 billion yen, which is 60% of the estimated annual market size.

The association estimates that losses have increased since the beginning of the year following the second state of emergency declared last month.

Also, in a questionnaire survey conducted last month by a Tokyo company that produces marriages for couples planning a ceremony, about 30% of the 96 respondents responded to the wedding with a second state of emergency. He answered that there was a change in the event.

Of these, 47% said they decided to postpone or re-postpone, while 43% decided to use a "two-part system" to reduce the number of people invited at one time, or just take pictures. He answered, "We have changed the format of the event," suggesting that the wedding style is diversifying due to the influence of the new Corona.

"I want to decide next time when I can feel at ease"

Tsubasa Koda (36) from Chiba Prefecture and Azusa (34) from Niigata Prefecture were planning to have a wedding in Tokyo, but two emergency declarations since last year forced them to postpone it twice. it was done.

He said he was worried about calling his relatives and friends from his bride's hometown of Niigata to Tokyo.

The invitations for 120 people, including relatives, friends, and colleagues at work, that they had prepared were not sent out in response to the state of emergency.

The two said, "I never thought that our wedding would be postponed twice. I was barely worried about what to do, but I'm sorry to make the attendees feel anxious about the infection. I thought. "

The ceremony hall also had a special feeling.

The wedding is planned for a chapel with a view of Tokyo Tower from the glass ceiling.

When they went to Azusa's parents' house to greet their marriage, the topic was Tokyo Tower.

"My dad was the same age as Tokyo Tower, and he said,'I like Tokyo Tower,' and I hope he will be happy if he gives a ceremony there."

Azusa decided to express her gratitude to her father right under the Tokyo Tower.

At one point, I considered reducing the number of invited guests, but I also wanted to show my parents how many friends would bless me, so I'm thinking of a ceremony that I originally envisioned.

The two said, "I definitely want to hold a ceremony next time, so I want to decide after I have a comfortable daily life. Now, my top priority is to have a child, so if possible, I will hold a ceremony within a year. If possible, I would like to have a wonderful wedding ceremony so that those who attend the two postponements will have good memories. "

Wedding ceremony in two parts "If you take measures against infection, you can do enough"

There is also a movement to hold a wedding ceremony while taking measures against infection, with repeated ingenuity from the desire to "make a vow in front of a loved one".

In Fukuoka City, where a state of emergency has been declared, the ceremony was held this month by Kazuya Tashiro (29) from Saga Prefecture and Maki Yamaoka (28) from Aichi Prefecture.

Last year, they postponed their planned wedding, inviting about 80 people, including friends and colleagues, following the spread of the new coronavirus.

However, Mr. Tashiro, the groom, decided to move overseas this spring.

"At least while I'm in Japan," I decided to hold a ceremony this month.

The two changed their plans significantly in an attempt to adapt the formula to suit the current situation in which infection control is needed.

First of all, the formula is "two-part system" to avoid denseness.

The bride and groom decided to visit Fukuoka and Nagoya, which are close to their hometowns, to open the event so that attendees would not have to move from afar.

Of these, at the ceremony held in Fukuoka City on the 7th of this month, attendees were limited to relatives only.

When entering the chapel, check the temperature and wear a new mask.

My grandmother in her 80s, who lives in Saga Prefecture, participated online from her home.

A large venue was used for the subsequent reception, which could accommodate 80 people.

It was sterilized with alcohol again, and the table surrounded by the bride and groom and their relatives was also equipped with an acrylic plate to prevent flying.

Mr. Tashiro, who was a "grandmother" from an early age, read a letter to his grandmother who participated remotely.

"I was weak, and thanks to my grandmother's meal, I became stronger. I'm really disappointed that I couldn't meet face-to-face at Corona. Thank you for seeing my grandmother and growing up," she said. It was.

My grandmother smiled over the screen and said, "Congratulations. Let's do our best together."

In consideration of the ceremony hall, many decorated round tables were placed in the large venue, and a commemorative photo with my grandmother reflected on the tablet terminal was also produced.

Mr. Tashiro, the groom, said, "While I couldn't help in Corona, I didn't even have a place to go with my anger, so I gave up holding the wedding in the middle, but I wanted to open it for my wife. I felt that I could do enough if I took measures, but rather I was glad that I was able to cherish my time with my family. I really wanted to meet my grandmother, but I felt that I could convey my feelings in this way as well. "

Mai Nakahira, a wedding planner who was involved in the ceremony, said, "There are many people who want to celebrate the important day of their wedding, and I think they want their loved ones to see it. What was the style I originally thought about? It may have changed, but it was a warm place to thank my family. "

Wedding circumstances What will happen with the corona disaster?

What will happen to the wedding situation due to the influence of the new corona?

According to Yumi Nakanishi, the representative of "Bridal Navi" who is on the consultation for weddings, there are consultations from couples who are worried that their parents will oppose the event, spread the infection, and blame the world. It means that it is increasing.

On the other hand, various styles have been created, such as a small ceremony attended only by relatives and a "photo wedding" that leaves a picture of the marriage of the two as a memory without mentioning the ceremony.

Mr. Nakanishi said, "I think it became clearer how precious the opportunity for important people to gather together was due to the corona wreck. Before Corona, many people were invited to entertain and attendees. There were many brides and grooms who emphasized how to enjoy themselves, but in a situation where it is difficult for many people to gather, the feeling of gratitude that can be put into the wedding ceremony and the way of blessing itself are revisited, so to speak, "return to origin" I think it's time for me. "

Detailed guidelines for corona countermeasures ceremony halls, etc.

The Japan Bridal Industry Association, which has about 350 ceremonial halls and hotels, has created detailed guidelines as a countermeasure against the new coronavirus.

First of all, in advance meetings, we request that we prepare an environment where we can respond online if there is a request from a customer.

And on the day of the wedding, we will call on the attendees to wear masks and refrain from talking.

When playing gospel music, it is required to secure a distance of 2 meters between the performer and the attendees, or to install an acrylic plate to prevent flying.

At the reception, ▽ arrange a venue as large as possible and leave a space of about 1 seat from the neighbor, ▽ serve dishes one by one instead of a platter, ▽ ask to avoid drinking and drinking I am.

In addition, the staff wearing gloves will open and close the door of the venue, and we will ask you to refrain from making loud entertainment, and the microphone will be disinfected or replaced every time it is used.

When taking a picture, I ask them to wear a mask until just before and refrain from talking, and to take a picture in a non-crowded form.

After the event is over, the staff will guide you by grasping the time zone when it is crowded with attendees in advance so that it will not be crowded at the entrance and exit.