It’s easy to empathize with the bridal couples of 2020 whose wedding celebrations have been curtailed by a pandemic. But the trickle-down effect of all these downsized or postponed events is that every wedding-related business has been impacted too.

Whitetail Meadow

The region in and around Niverville and Ritchot has become well known throughout the province for its selection of wedding venues. Whitetail Meadow, located at the corner of Highways 311 and 200, is one of the most recent to make a name for itself.

Catering primarily to wedding parties, their last booking took place on March 7. Since that time, the facility has been closed to all tours and events due to COVID-19.

While Whitetail Meadow lost a number of bookings that couldn’t be rescheduled, most bridal couples have been understanding and rebooked their events for the summer of 2021.

“The hardest part for me is feeling the disappointment and stress that our clients are under,” says Jenn Neufeld, events coordinator. “Not being able to offer brides a firm timeline as to when things will open up is so difficult. It’s not having any concrete answers for them. We are all in limbo and feeling like we are trying to navigate with a blindfold on.”

For the owners and staff, it’s also difficult to see the beautifully decorated barn, manicured grounds, and honeymoon suite sit vacant during what should be its busiest season.

Now, as the government slowly eases up on restrictions, Neufeld looks forward to trying to fill the many gaps in their calendar.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to book smaller, more intimate weddings, family reunions, and maybe even community events,” Neufeld says. “We’ll have to wait and see how long the restrictions remain, but it feels as though we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to opening the doors once again.”

Some couples still wish to marry this year, and they’re getting creative when it comes to social distancing, she says. For example, Whitetail will host a number of small wedding ceremonies this year, with receptions to follow in 2021.

At least one grad party will take place at Whitetail Meadow this summer, too.

“We are currently in the planning stages with Steinbach Christian High School to host their grad,” Neufeld says. “Their convocation ceremony will be held in the parking lot while guests sit in their vehicles and watch their graduate receive their high school diploma up on the balcony that overlooks the parking lot.”

Along a similar vein, drive-in movie nights may become a feature at Whitetail this summer. Neufeld says people should watch their Facebook page and website for details.

“Ultimately, this year looks very different than what we had planned, but we are so grateful for the local support.”

The Heritage Event Centre

Niverville’s Heritage Centre has likewise been closed since the beginning of March. Because the campus also includes four levels of seniors housing, management found it prudent to indefinitely close the event centre as well as Hespeler’s Cookhouse and Tavern to protect their vulnerable residents.

Unfortunately, these both provide significant sources of revenue for the seniors housing facilities under the same roof.

“To me, the most challenging day was when we had to lay off the restaurant and event centre team members,” says Robert Manchulenko, Chief Officer of Hospitality and Support Services. “Just weeks before, people were talking about their plans for summer, upcoming trips, visiting family members, buying new vehicles, and their education goals. This was about to change and it was hard to send that message. Everything else we can try to plan or adapt for, [but] the impact on our team members was out of our control and a lot of sleep was lost trying to find a way out if possible.”

The centre’s event organizers were kept on staff to manage the many calls, questions, and rebooking of the 2020 events that would have otherwise made this the centre’s busiest year to date. These staff served double duty during the early months, assisting with food services and entertainment for residents as well.

Manchulenko says that while they lost a few key events booked for the summer, most were able to be rescheduled for some time in the future.

“[Another] major challenge is dealing with the mental health impact that COVID-19 placed on everyone,” Manchulenko says. “The instant lack of activity at the Heritage Centre was different. Days before, there were community members and visitors of all ages in the centre adding life and movement. When the COVID-19 restrictions were introduced, this activity stopped. The once busy common areas were now bare and deserted. This was very different for everyone.”

He adds that management has been providing professional counselling services to staff who’ve been working extra hard to ensure the well-being of the many senior residents.

“We hope to [have the event centre and restaurant] back in operation soon,” Manchulenko says. “This will take careful consideration to ensure we can do so in a safe and effective manner.”

Little Flower Shop

Peggy Wiebe is the owner of Little Flower Shop, situated on a rural lot between Niverville and Île-des-Chênes. “Panic” is one of the words she uses to describe the worry and confusion brought on during the early stages of pandemic restrictions.

Like others, she saw the bulk of her 2020 wedding orders get postponed until 2021, apart from a select few intimate gatherings this summer.

“Many of our growers worldwide have been shredding [their floral products] due to lack of sales,” Wiebe says. “It has become mulch, sad to say.”

For florists, this means not having access to the wide range of products they’re used to. For Wiebe, it has meant getting creative with the stock she’s been able to get her hands on.

With wedding arrangement orders on the decline this spring, Wiebe needed to be creative on the marketing side as well. She provided curbside pickup and delivery options, and her advertisements focused on the many other reasons to give flowers to the people you care for.

“We actually saw this virus through Easter and Mother’s Day in sell-out mode,” Wiebe says.

Trish Palud Photography

Trish Palud has made a name for herself in the world of event photography. Graduations and weddings consume an enormous amount of time during her typical summer.

“My business came to an immediate halt as my profession was deemed non-essential during the initial stages of COVID-19,” Palud says. “Not only were my scheduled weddings completely cancelled or postponed from March to August, I was unable to book any photography sessions for families, graduates, or other events.”

While restrictions are beginning to ease, she says there’s still a lot of uncertainty over hosting any events this summer since social distancing protocols make gathering in larger groups very difficult.

Even so, Palud is confident that her business is not at risk. Even before COVID-19, she was able to provide an acceptable distance between herself and the client using special lenses and equipment. Consultations, she says, can take place as easily over Skype or a phone call.

“I feel for my couples that have been planning their weddings for years,” Palud says. “It’s sad for them and their families, but despite COVID and the postponements, all my wonderful couples have been in great spirits. Love conquers all!”