'Busiest wedding season since the '80s': B.C. industry booming due to pent-up pandemic demand
Wedding season is back and with the backlog of postponed weddings due to the pandemic, B.C. operators say it's busier than it's been in decades.
While it's a welcome change, some businesses find it hard to keep up with the demand.
"This is the busiest wedding year since, I think, the '80s because of all the COVID backup — you had all those girls waiting. And as soon as they lifted, everybody was like, 'Okay,go!'” said Erin Cockerill, a senior stylist with Vancouver’s Bisou Bridal.
The boutique has had to extend its hours to accommodate all its new brides.
Cockerill said the number of clients has nearly doubled since last year, and the store hired three more seamstresses to keep up.
"The numbers are definitely jumping which is very exciting. I don't foresee it slowing down any time before 2024,” she said.
Allan Burnett, the owner of The Chapels, said while he’s excited about the industry’s robust recovery, he’s overwhelmed by the pent-up demand.
He said he's short-staffed after letting some employees go early in the pandemic.
“I haven’t rehired anyone yet, and that’s probably what’s making it so challenging because we need help right now,” he said.
His phone line is busy with people calling in, even booking their special event on weekdays.
"We've got weddings on now Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday this coming weekend. So, that gives you a pretty good idea that it's often busy right now,” Burnett said.
Carissa Quan, the catering and events coordinator for the Brock House Restaurant, has also seen a surge in business.
"We have noticed that we have a lot of backlog from 2020, moving into 2022,” she said.
"There's only a certain number of Saturdays and Sundays that we have so we do open up for Mondays and Fridays, but we do see back-to-back [bookings], especially in the high season — that's July and August. We see a lot of weddings that happen between Monday to Friday,” she added.
With dates quickly getting booked up, couples are urged to plan as early as possible.
"I can tell you that in the 20-plus years that I've been in the wedding industry, I've never seen the number of weddings for next year this early in this number,” said Burnett.
All the operators agree that it's unlikely the demand will ease any time soon, predicting an equally busy – if not busier—season in 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.