Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 A P R I L 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 F O C U S H O S P I TA L I T Y / T O U R I S M States this year, according to a report by wedding-planning website the Knot. e forecast, issued in February, compares to a 2.2 million yearly average pre-pandemic. Guest numbers are also projected to be higher this year, on par with the 2019 average of 131, while the estimated ceremony and reception price tag is seen staying steady at $27,000. While making a more conservative projection of 2.47 million U.S. wed- dings this year, the Tucson, Ariz.-based Wedding Report predicts that after 2023, things should start to normalize with a return to the pre-pandemic number of weddings and spending. In Maine, couples spent an average $20,898 to tie the knot in 2021, the highest in five years, Wedding Report data show. A sector in flux In 2017 Maine recorded 10,188 wed- dings, and couples and their guests contributed an estimated $937 million to the state's economy, according to a May 2019 report by the Maine Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Southern Maine. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic, the number of weddings dropped to 7,865. at includes an East Millinocket wedding that August linked to 177 coronavirus infections and seven deaths. Besides hurting Maine's hitherto status as a safe haven from COVID, headlines and stories in national media were bad PR for the state's whole events industry. "It was really hard to get in front of that because everybody loves a good scary tale," says Blue Elephant co-founder Reuben Bell, who is also the editor of Real Maine Weddings magazine. "e venue did all the things correctly, but the client refused to comply." at same year, Bell and Pifferer — who are married to each other — organized a campaign encouraging couples to postpone rather than cancel their occasions. Joined by around 30 other business owners, they released a promotional video that went viral and a composite group photo shared on social media using the hashtag #post- ponedontcancel that gained nation- wide traction. "It kept us alive and kept us in touch with the governor's office," Pifferer recalls. Bell adds that "once everybody got on board with the idea, the clients understand that we are all small businesses, and we can't give you all your money back if you cancel or we'll all go broke." at didn't happen to Blue Elephant, which handled 25 weddings in 2020, including two receptions — different guests — in one day for one couple at Ocean Gateway in Portland during indoor gathering limits. is year, the events company will handle two to three weddings every weekend between early May and mid- December, compared to a pre-pan- demic average of around four to five every weekend. e company employs 10 people full-time but goes as high as 100 to 150 with summer hires on a per diem basis. e company has also had to raise prices this year by more than 20% to cover increased costs for food and staffing. "We could easily book four to five weddings a weekend right now," Bell says. "e clients are there, we're just not wanting to overextend the staff that we have." 'Maxed out' vendors and venues Other vendors are equally stretched to the limits. One example is Claire Winston-Wade, a Portland-based officiator scheduled to perform 27 ceremonies this year, of which four are postponements. "I would like to stop there but I know I'm going to get last-minute bookings, and I'm going to take them, because people are really stuck, and I don't like to turn them away," says Winston- Wade, who charges $1,000 and up for weddings and $500 and higher for elopements, which she defines as cer- emonies of 12 or fewer guests. She had 18 bookings in 2021 and seven in 2020, when some couples in a hurry even came to her place for cer- emonies though she normally travels all over the state. Your new boat here. Whether you're new to boating or a seasoned hand, Hammond Lumber Company can match you with the ideal dock and lift systems for your waterfront. We have an extensive inventory of ShoreMaster® docks, a brand we recommend for ease of con- figuration, aesthetics, and durability. Take the plunge. We're here to help. Auburn • Bangor • Bar Harbor • Belfast • Belgrade • Blue Hill • Boothbay Harbor Brunswick • Bucksport • Calais • Camden • Cherryfield • Damariscotta • Ellsworth Fairfield • Farmington • Greenville • Machias • Portland • Rockland • Skowhegan HammondLumber.com Why choose us for your banking needs? Because with us, local really does mean local. We understand that our customers want personalized service with modern banking conveniences – and you don't always get both from a big-box bank. When you're always on the go, you need a bank that's always there for you. Our suite of personal and business banking products are designed to make banking easier, no matter what corner of the world you're in. We're Maine Community Bank – on your corner and in your corner. Contact us today! 1-833-762-0313 mainecb.com C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » This is not a boom year — this is a recovery year. — Fausto Pifferer Blue Elephant Events & Catering

• Cover