The Future of Weddings: An Expert Guide For Planning A Downsized Affair
Dubai-based events director Girish Tirthwani weighs in on how to organise a memorable day, minus the huge guest list…
Having an intimate wedding needn’t mean compromising on your dream day. In fact, for many couples, a smaller event could allow for surprising upshots such as being able to get creative with locations that cannot accommodate hundreds of guests, or having a bigger budget to spend on opulent décor and lavish flowers. Bazaar Bride spoke to events director of The Wedding Mania, Girish Tirthwani, about planning a memorable affair on a smaller scale.
How has COVID-19 affected weddings for couples wishing to get married both locally, and overseas?
A lot has changed. With stricter implications of social distancing and other regulations in place, the size of the weddings in the UAE were reduced to less than 50 guests during the height of the pandemic. At the end of October this limit increased to 200 guests, but a lot can still change. Smaller weddings are, at present, the trend. Currently, many overseas destinations are still not open for weddings and as a result over the past few months, Dubai has become one of the biggest markets for inbound destination weddings. One of the main reasons being that venues have a lot to offer. The region boasts huge ballrooms and open spaces which can cater to both small and large guest lists, while adhering to social-distancing requirements. Couples can still have magnificent décor and dramatic entertainment to wow their guests, regardless of the party size.
Are there any benefits to hosting a smaller wedding?
As the size of guest lists shrink, many couples have a bigger budget to plan the wedding of their dreams, in particular when it comes to splurging on décor. I also believe that when there are smaller groups of people attending or sitting close to each other, the connections and stories that they share will be much more memorable. Rather than meeting hundreds of other guests at an event, the focus is on building relationships with a select few. Intimate weddings will continue after COVID-19 disappears, I am sure.
What are your ideas for socially-distanced fun and games?
Wedding planners have always had to be creative as we cannot repeat most of the ideas from wedding to wedding, as the guests might have experienced them before. This creates room for more creative games, audience engagement and experiences such as giant Jenga, wedding bingo, and bride and groom trivia. These types of activities can all be participated in while maintaining social distance.
What can couples do to make their small guest list feel special?
Before the wedding, send guests an exquisite invitation which includes a full itinerary so that they can feel at ease. I also suggest includinga selection of chocolates for a really sweet touch. Once guests confirm their attendance, couples can plan personalised hampers for their loved ones to include anything they may need during their stay, as well as gifts such as sunscreen, sanitiser and monogrammed beach bags.
Having had to downsize on the guest list, how can couples make those that could not attend, still feel special?
I love the idea of sending something to friends and family who you cannot invite to the wedding. Perhaps a memento, or a personalised gift after the wedding. It’s often hard for people to accept why they were not invited to a wedding, even during these challenging times, so this is the only chance to make them feel special and not left out.
What are your thoughts on privately live-streaming weddings?
This is a very good idea, especially for loved ones who cannot attend – they can still witness and experience your wedding. This medium gives us the opportunity to be together even if it’s virtually – something we have all gotten used to during COVID-19. At The Wedding Mania we have thought about how technology is increasingly becoming a part of weddings and have created a mobile app that is customised for each couple so that guests can interact, share photographs, check the wedding itinerary and much more. We’ve already had very positive responses to it.
How can couples ensure their wedding is a memorable affair?
I recommend impressing guests with special effects. We actually have an exclusive range of SFX which include cold pyros fire crackers – perfect for setting off during the bridal entrance. Another idea to create great photographs is to set off confetti blasts – especially during cake cuttings or ring exchange ceremonies. And of course, dry ice low-fog systems create a dreamy effect for the couple’s first dance. Anything is possible and dreams can still come true.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride’s Autumn/Winter 2020 issue