Weddings in times of Covid-19
It is that season again in Malawi when weddings come back to back over the weekends. But one thing that sets apart this wedding season is the fact that the world is facing Covid-19, an outbreak that thrives through contact. And as such, wedding ceremonies have to adjust to ensure that they are not breeding grounds for the spread of the virus.
A guest at a wedding on Saturday afternoon said at first it was difficult to accept the rules set but she eventually enjoyed herself.
“We were all made to apply hand sanitiser on our hands then sit in tables one metre apart. I was shocked by all the rules,” she said.
However, the guest, who refused to be named, said they enjoyed the wedding though it was done differently to the way they are used to.
A couple, whose wedding was supposed to take place on May 4 Anabel Pingasa and Martin Phiri, said they decided to postpone their wedding because they do not think they can adhere to all the rules set by government on social distance.
“We invited at least 250 guests but government says we should only invite less than 100. It is hard to tell others not to come. We will wait until this outbreak is contained,” said Phiri.
Renowned master of ceremonies and events planner Chisomo Mwamadi said though weddings are now very different, they are still happening in line with the rules set by government.
“It is very challenging to get our guests to accept that there won’t be the normal pelekani pelekani. But so far we are able to do the event and have fun. It’s all about the MCs creativity,” he said.
Mwamadi on Saturday evening hosted a wedding anniversary at a hotel in Blantyre where all guests accepted the new way of doing things.
“We had lots of games and other activities to keep people busy and entertained. But yes, I will be the first person to admit that it is not easy. Malawians are having a hard time to accept social distance at a wedding,” he said.
Mwamadi, whose wedding bookings have not been cancelled, said it is up to the MCs to come up with entertaining ways of doing things though several aspects of a wedding reception have changed.
