A group of women in Rome took to the streets to protest againt the City’s lockdown restrictions that have resulted in their weddings being cancelled.

About 15 brides-to-be gathered to begin the protest at the Fontana di Trevi, then moved to the parliamentary buildings where they were joined by affected wedding industry members such as caterers and musicians.

This was not an ordinary protest, however, as the women wore their wedding dresses and carried white parasols to make a statement. They also carried placards that translate to ‘weddings without restrictions’, ‘you broke our marriages’ and ‘church doors closed to weddings’.

Frustrated by the postponement of their wedding plans, brides-to-be protest against social restrictions in #Rome

Vía @Reuters pic.twitter.com/mvAKGH7U1k

— Aroguden (@Aroguden) July 8, 2020

The protest is being called the ‘Flashmob of the singles and unmarried ones’. It was reportedly organised by Airb, an Italian wedding association, who claim that 90% of weddings in the city have been postponed to 2021 which has negatively impacted the industry.

“Everything was postponed to 2021. So we asked the government for help to reach 2021. About 500 thousand operators in the sector and, as a consequence, their families are at risk of unemployment,” said the president of Airb, Luciano Paulillo.

Marriage ceremonies and other non-essential activities are currently banned in the city for two months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Civil ceremonies have recently been allowed to continue, but guests are limited to two and strict social distancing measures must be employed.

Brides protest in front of the Trevi Fountain that because of the corona restrictions, they had to cancel their (expensive) wedding this year. The event was sponsored by the ‘marriage industry’. #rome pic.twitter.com/TYs1Yhzdbh

— Ewout Kieckens (@ewoutkieckens) July 7, 2020

Feature image: Unsplash

The Nigerian wedding industry is massive. Couples typically spend big bucks to make sure their special day is perfect. However, the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a loss of millions, and leave small businesses with no way to support themselves.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, and the wedding industry contributes greatly to this. Using statistics from 2017, a report from TNS Global suggests that the industry could be worth as much as $17 million.

“The Nigerian events industry is estimated to be among the most extravagant in the world. According to TNS Global, 17 million dollars was spent on parties in Lagos over a five months period in 2013. Statistics have it that an average Nigerian company or middle-class family spends over 15,000 dollars per event,” said Professor Okoli Fidelis Chukwuma.

 

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All boo’d up ❤! AhoufeBride @m0cha_17 Makeup: @stmmagicalcreations Hair: @c.c_hairways Dress: @ladybeellionaire Bouquet : @rentadress_nostress Photography : @lexisweddings Videographer: @grandepicfilms Planner: @stmmagicalcreations Decor: @alexeventss Cake: @elsies.bakehouse Cocktail and chops: @koksy_foods #ahoufebridal  #BlackDadsMatter  #buytheblock #blackwallstreet #blacklove #blackcommunity #blackings #blackqueens #blackinfluencers #blackculture #blackwealth #blackhealth #blackunity #blackmen #weddingday #bellanaijaweddings #melanin #bridalinspiration #NigerianWedding #protectourblackmen #raisingkings #blackfamily #blackmagic #blackexcellence #allblackeverythang #allblackeverything #usorelse #blacklivesmatter #weddingsonpoint #LuxuryWeddings

A post shared by Ahoufe Bridal ® (@ahoufebridal) on Jun 23, 2020 at 8:37pm PDT

According to Nairametrics, weddings can cost anywhere between half a million Naira (R22 263) to over 100 million Naira (R4 452 766) depending on the financial background of each couple. These events are typically massive, with hundreds of guests in attendance.

 

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Dami & Izoyare #lavida20 ? Planner – @sculptorsevents. Photography- @ejikemanny #NigerianWedding #YorubaWedding

A post shared by NIGERIAN WEDDING (@nigerianwedding) on Jul 6, 2020 at 11:54am PDT

With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this industry has essentially been halted. Large public gatherings are currently not allowed, forcing many couples to tie the knot online through video conferencing platforms.

Those who do continue with in-person weddings have minimised their big days considerably. CEO of event management firm Unik Ushering Agency, Aderonke Adebamibola told Naiametrics that business has slowed down as a result.

“Now, we even have to convince them to use one or two ushers for their events because they believe they don’t need ushers for 20 or 30 guests. Caterers cannot even cook a half bag of rice now because of the number of guests. This means that they are also paid less for their services, even if they expend the same energy and time” said Adebamibola to Nairametrics.

Nigeria has 29 286 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 11 828 recovered and 654 deaths.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of the wedding industry, and many will struggle to fit the new normal.

Feature image: Unsplash