The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many to re-assess how they live, work, play and yes, get married too.
And so, a couple planning their wedding recently decided to leave nothing to chance and included an RTK self-test kit in every single wedding invitation they sent out to guests.
The wedding invitation included a gentle reminder to them to use the self-test kit one day before the wedding reception, with the hope that those who tested positive would give the wedding a miss.
In a tweet, Evenstar@arwenmh posted: “Recent wedding in our family. Guests were all given RTK tests. To do one day before the event and to text the result. New normal.”
The tweet has garnered over 7,400 likes and has been re-tweeted over 5,600 times. The wedding is believed to have taken place in the peninsula.
FMT spoke to wedding planners here, and although many said the trend has not quite picked up in the Sabah capital, they did agree it was a brilliant idea.
Zana Arshad of Zara Wedding Concept admitted that while she wasn’t aware of such a practice, she would recommend it to future clients.
“So far, none of my clients have requested for the kits,” she said, adding that it was likely because no one was aware that some couples were already making the self-test kits a part of their wedding invitation.
“This is also actually the first time I’m hearing about this but I will be willing to source the kits if my customers want them but of course this will be added into the charges.
“Normally, we only get requests to design the pelamin (bridal stage) and decorations,” she said.
Business owner of Mrs Edgar Wedding Planner, Madeline Rodogo Galapan said she too had not received such a request yet.
“Usually, the bride and groom will ask their guests to self-test themselves but it’s not necessary.But I agree it’s a good idea and I’m ready to propose it to my clients,” she said.
Wedding photographer Ashley Daniel Koh told FMT that although this was the first time he’d heard of such a concept, there were instances when wedding couples handed out Covid-19 self-test kits to guests at the venue itself.
“I’ve been to a wedding where guests were required to take the test upon arrival at the event,” he said, of the wedding that took place in Ranau.
Upon their arrival, a staff member at the venue would hand out the Covid-19 self-test kits to guests.
“Guests would take the test inside their car, take a photo of the test result and send it to the staff on duty or the wedding couple themselves.
“I believe sending self-test kits to guests days before the big day is a good idea so that we can avoid an outbreak,” Koh said.
Would you consider the extra expense on your wedding budget? Well, it’s certainly something to think about.