Wedding industry hopeful for summer, but still facing hurdles

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Restrictions are easing up even more in Rhode Island. Those changes announced by the Governor a week ago go into effect Friday.

While many say it’s a step in the right direction, some in the wedding industry say they still have hurdles to face.

“For couples it’s been a nightmare,” Luke Renchan, President of the R.I. Coalition of Wedding and Event Professionals.

Renchan says the industry is trying to roll with the punches, but they’re approaching one of the busiest seasons.

“We have couples still summer and fall that are still concerned even though we have some progress going on right now,” Renchan said.

That progress comes in waves of eased restrictions. Governor Dan McKee announced increased capacity at catered events, which includes weddings. They can now move from 50% capacity to 75%. They can also host 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors.

Renchan says while all of that is great news, there are still concerns.

“Many couples have said I’m not doing my wedding without dancing, so the fact to get dancing in is huge,” Renchan said.

He says the Wedding Association has been in talks with the Governor’s Office about allowing dancing at events. He says the Governor’s Office told him they’re considering what’s called “pod dancing”, which means only dancing with the people you came with or are seated with at your table.

ABC 6 News reached out to the Governor’s Office for comment. We have not yet heard back.

“Many couples are happy to see dancing, but they don’t understand pod dancing,” Renchan said. “Many feel like it’s just another restriction that’s holding their wedding back.”

He also says unlike other New England states, Rhode Island requires testing at all events. For some, that’s a positive, but for others, not so much.

“Testing is required for every person attending any events or weddings including children, doesn’t matter what age, and could be an infant,” Renchan said.

He’s also asking for restrictions at tables to get updated. Right now, Rhode Island requires tables to be six-feet apart with a maximum of eight people per table and two households. Renchan says that means even if capacity is back to 100%, some venues are not big enough to fit that many tables and space people out.

Renchan says even with these challenges, they’re just happy to be back in business.

“This time I really feel like we’re in a good place to feel the hope. We are seeing the progress here and around us and I think that’s a great thing.”