Guillermo Duran Photographer

They may have had the wedding dress ready and the marriage arrangements ordered for their link. However, the COVID-19 emergency changed the plans of Chileans and the whole world, directly affecting the nuptial sector. If in 2017 there were 61,320 weddings in the country, with a nuptiality rate of 3.3, according to the National Institute of Statistics 1 , this year the numberswill vary, especially in the first half of the year.

Faced with the health alarm presented by the WHO and the measures taken by the Government of Chile, 89% of couples in the country have decided to postpone their marriage plans, according to a survey conducted by Matrimonios.cl to find out how this crisis has affected the wedding sector. The concern about the coronavirus and the impossibility of having their guests for their wedding,among other reasons, have been decisive for the change of date, according to the survey itself. But there is good news. The results revealed an encouraging figure because 81% of marriages that have been affected by the coronavirus, have postponed it for this same 2020. The best example that love perseveres.

Love is not cancelled

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The world is changing and the coronavirus crisis has required people and society, in general, to reinvent themselves, which of course, applies to weddings and the bridal world. What this means is that although the potential number of impacted weddings is high, the projection is that most are postponed, not cancelled. According to the data collected by the Matrimonios.cl survey, 9 out of 10 couples have decided to postpone their wedding (89%) and of that percentage, 8 out of 10, reschedule for 2020 (81%).

Weddings are being postponed by six months on average, and about half of those directly affected are expected to move to the spring, a season that has always attracted many couples. Here's how 4 out of 10 have decided to reschedule for the months of September and October. (41%), while 22% by November or December and 10% in early 2021.

Undoubtedly, the current uncertainty has led to that the marriage plans give a turn, many times, of 180º. For this reason is that from Matrimonios.cl we have been attentive to provide all the necessary support to face these difficult moments; and where the professionals of the sector are playing a very important role. Nina Perez, CEO of Matrimonios.cl values it: "In a sector as emotional as weddings, the human factor always makes the difference. The bride and groom recognize the flexibility of their suppliers and we have no doubt that today more than ever they are looking for the best solutions, showing empathy and flexibility to make changes and reach satisfactory agreements with the couples.This speaks volumes about the delivery and adaptability of the bridal industry in Chile.

Format changes

Guillermo Duran Photographer

Faced with the current panorama is that new schemes for marriages have appeared. Couples have rescheduled their wedding For example, 30% of those who have decided to reschedule their marriages will legally marry before the reception; while 14% have decided to move the day of the reception Thus, Fridays and Sundays have become the new alternative to celebrate marriages, and although 54% keep Saturday, 37% will get married on a Friday and 7% on Sunday.

As for the couples who have rescheduled their marriage for 2021 The reasons vary; however, the biggest concern remains the coronavirus, according to 80% of respondents who chose this new date; while 16% do so because the place where they want to get married is not available to the couple until 2021 and 10% because they want to have their wedding on a specific date or season. However, the important thing remains love and that,even if the date changes, you will be able to celebrate your marriage and start this new stage more united than ever.

You may need to re-order your wedding cake or update some aspects of your wedding decorations due to the change of season, but don't worry, you will have the support of your vendors and loved ones to help you celebrate a beautiful and special wedding.

References

1. INE: Social Statistics, Demographics and Vital Statistics, National Institute of Statistics.