Soon-to-wed couples are worrying about having few guests at their ceremonies, especially since aged relatives susceptible to the MERS virus are unlikely to attend. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jun. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Couples with upcoming nuptials are especially affected by the MERS outbreaks in Korea, as people are avoiding crowds in confined areas.
More individuals are deciding not to attend weddings and are sending monetary gifts instead.
Soon-to-wed couples are worrying about having few guests at their ceremonies, especially since aged relatives susceptible to the MERS virus are unlikely to attend.
Such couples are also hiring ‘fake guests’ from companies specialized in sending guests to weddings whose hosts want to create illusions of large celebrations and fake their social status.
An individual from a ‘fake guest’ company said that its customers are asking for more guests than they originally reserved. New customers are requesting the service as they are worried about MERS driving guests away.
Another individual from a similar company said that the atmosphere at weddings these days is sullen, as guests are decreasing in number, and the remaining guests are sitting with their masks on.
Even officiants have been canceling their plans, making couples more anxious.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
