Loud, joyous wedding bells tolling throughout NSW is the sound that echoed from NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s announcement that weddings no longer will be capped now the state has reached 80% vaccination rates.

“It’s this amazing feeling of joy that we all get here at Navarra venues as we hit each milestone the government has put on the roadmap to recovery. Firstly it was a 50 cap, increased to 100 and now finally we are free from caps. My brides have the freedom to choose how many guests can attend their wedding and not feel guilty leaving anyone out,” said CEO Sal Navarra

Throughout this pandemic, weddings have been put on the backburner when it came to easing restrictions. Restaurants and pubs mostly had restrictions eased first up and with weddings following. The wedding industry plans events and without certainty, on what lies ahead weddings cease to exist.

“People want to celebrate with uncles and aunties; it’s all about having their family and friends. Our weddings range between 200-300 people and lifting this cap means November wedding bells are tolling more loudly than ever,” said Senior Managing Partner Giovannino Navarra.

“By the time we reach Christmas this year the buzz of joy and laughter will be infectious. Social, corporate and now weddings are in full swing. Celebrations will be cherished even more because this virus engulfed our happiness and kept us locked up from family and friends and now we are almost free,” said Giovannino Navarra

A $7 billion-plus industry with a decrease in the number of marriages beginning in late March 2020 coinciding with the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions led to the domino effect on the hospitality industry. Australian Farmers supplying to the industry came to a halt as they were affected. The liquor and beverage industries were left dry. Hairdressers, florists, photographers, car hire, bridal shops, makeup artists all closed their shops.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics a number of marriages remained low throughout April, May and June last year and the statistics yet to be gathered will see an even further significant reduction. This is where social distancing requirements, density limits on gatherings and restrictions on travel forced couples to reconsider their wedding plans.

 “I felt for my team, our brides and watching the industry become a mere shadow of themselves brought tears to my eyes. Now finally brides can plan with certainty,” said Venue Liaison Director Marie Florio

The wedding industry may have wedding bells tolling today but it will be quite some time before it fully recovers.

“We are excited, we are back, and weddings are ending the year on a high,” said CEO Sal Navarra