Like many other businesses, the phones started ringing this morning and haven’t stopped at Victoria Party Rentals.
Owner Darren Pine says everyone wants supplies.
“I came in this morning, and there was multiple messages on the answering machine. People wanted to add things to their orders. People wanted to change their orders. People wanted to make orders. It’s been a good day so far.”
On Tuesday, B.C. unveiled its restart plan for the province that will result in significant changes, especially for businesses.
WATCH: B.C. loosens indoor dining, gathering restrictions in first part of four-step restart plan
Now organized gatherings indoors of 10, and outdoors up to 50, if seated, are allowed.
By June 15 at the earliest, that increases to 50 seated indoors, and could expand much more outdoors.
On July 1, there will be increased capacity for both indoor and outdoor gatherings, as long as they have a safety plan. Festivals and Fairs will go ahead.
Emma McCormick is the owner, and lead planner at The Good Party.
Within hours of the news conference by officials on B.C.’s Restart Plan, business picked up.
“We booked three new clients last night so that was really exciting. It’s kind of a nice way to end a busy, busy afternoon.”
For the first time since 2019, wedding planning is in full swing — and the type of wedding couples want is changing.
“It’s become a lot less about the really, really detailed and elaborate décor,” McCormick said. “And it’s become more about who’s going to be at the wedding because they just can’t imagine having their special day without certain people.”
It’s not just businesses seeing a change.
The high school graduation ceremonies of 2020 were dramatically different, with many grads opting for drive-bys or an outdoor ceremony with just a few people attending each student’s graduation.
While it’s not back to normal, Pine said high school grad committees are preparing for a bigger ceremony this year.
“They were planning very small things, and now they are starting to open up because they are later in June.”
And by the first week of September, life may be finally returning back to normal.
Mary Griffin
