Many weddings postponed or cancelled due to outbreak

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 21

Almost 1,000 wedding functions scheduled in March and April have been cancelled, postponed or are being held with a handful of relatives ever since Covid-19 started spreading in the country.

The Marriage Palace Association said it had suffered losses due to cancellations or postponements in this wedding season that would have lasted till April-end.

The outbreak has sent ripples through the industry, including vendors, wedding planners and owners of marriage palaces. With Section 144 in force in many parts of the northern states, there are restrictions on gatherings of more than five persons in public places.

“It is best to postpone weddings. Keep an eye for the directives and advisories from the state and exercise extra caution to avoid last-minute cancellations,” said Jaideep Narula, a wedding planner.

With most courts now shut in India due to the global pandemic, the registration of court marriages and even traditional weddings will also have to wait.

Nischint Kumar, whose sister was to wed in Ludhiana on April 15, said the bridegroom who is a merchant navy officer was stranded in Egypt as had not got the permit to travel back to India.

“We have not cancelled the wedding yet as invites have been sent and the venue has been booked. We have even paid advance payments to caterer and others. However, it seems highly unlikely that the wedding will be held as per the schedule,” he said.

Another couple in Patiala, who had planned a destination wedding in Kasauli, has already cancelled their wedding with a social media message for all relatives and friends. “Keeping safety of everyone in mind, the wedding and related ceremonies now stand postponed till September,” read a message by the bride.

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‘No liquor licence’

Punjab Joint Commissioner (Excise) LK Jain said the department would not issue any liquor licence for weddings in Punjab till further orders. “Even the ones issued earlier will be null and void in wake of separate orders by the respective district magistrates”, he said.

As per the rules, a licence is mandatory from excise officials for any wedding or private function, where liquor has to be served.

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Curbs on public gatherings

Following a decision in a meeting of the seven-member Group of Ministers, formed by the government to review the situation triggered by the outbreak on a daily basis, the Punjab Government on Thursday restricted public gatherings to less than 20 in the state. It had also decided to shut marriage palaces, hotels, restaurants, banquets and dining places, except home delivery services in the state.