Event management firms offer packages prioritising safety but response tepid

Mangaluru: The restrictions on conducting mass weddings and other key ceremonies have forced event management firms to rethink their idea of what constitutes a grand affair, sending them back to the drawing board. In Mangaluru, wedding planners are coming up with tailor-made packages for a large cross-section of clients, the common denominator being the safety norms prescribed to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On the one hand, the more modest packages designed for ceremonies with not more than 50 invitees are priced around Rs 70,000 – expenses include lunch and invitations. The more premium packages extend up to Rs 2 lakh. Renewing the lockdown, the Union ministry of home affairs issued a new set of guidelines, which, however, limited the number of invitees to ceremonies at 50. Although several event management firms are prepared to take on the challenge of organising weddings and ceremonies with a limited guest list, the downturn in the economy has resulted in few clients approaching them for their expertise.
Proprietor of Abhigya Events Ashwith Kottari is among those who has borne the brunt of the financial instability that the country is currently in the grips of. “All the arrangements for weddings and ceremonies are done in accordance with the government guidelines, and we offer budget and premium packages. The response, however, has been poor,” Kottari told TOI.
The packages offered by his firm include the charge for the venue, stage decoration, sound system, et al. “In addition to this, we are also including thermal scanning, sanitisers and masks in our packages,” he added.
Event Houz, another planning firm, is offering a package for Rs 1,99,999, the key difference being the inclusion of UV hand sanitisation and distribution of N95 masks to all guests. Another management company Pai Events are offering a Rs 1,27,777-package, with ceremonies being held in accordance with the safety guidelines.
Kamath Caterers, a well-known name in Mangaluru, is offering bespoke deals to suit the requirements of its customers. “We do not offer packages. We serve food and make other related arrangements in accordance with the demands of the customers. But the number of wedding ceremonies has reduced drastically following the lockdown being enforced,” Sudhakar Kamath.