Couples who were forced to postpone or cancel their wedding this year due to the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for a refund on deposits paid for their wedding, it was announced today.

The scheme has a budget of €2,000,000 allocated towards it, and couples can benefit up to €2,000. The scheme was announced back in June, which forms part of the government’s ‘mini-budget’ aimed at helping the economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Explaining in further detail regarding the scheme, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri highlighted how many couples had to postpone or cancel their wedding or civil union due to the virus, some having lost their deposits.

He said that those who have gone ahead with their ceremonies have had to take on a number of measures and protocols to safeguard the health of the couple and their guests, such as reducing the number of guests and following the social distancing rules.

Back in March, weddings and all mass events were cancelled when the coronavirus reached Malta, where many couples had no other option that to cancel or postpone their wedding until the following year. In summer, when numbers began to dwindle and decrease, new regulations for weddings and other large events were introduced. Weddings and civil unions now must have a sit-down reception, with food and drinks only served to seated guests and the event itself having a strict limit on the number of people invited.

Photos: Giuseppe Attard

Launched on Tuesday, the scheme is applicable for couples whose weddings/civil unions were to take place between 8 March and 30 September and allows couples to claim back up to €2,000 worth of deposit refunds.

Couples who forfeited their deposits paid on good and services related to their wedding/civil union ceremony as proven by the documents submitted. Schembri explained that such services can include catering, floral arrangements, photographers, chauffeur hired cars and even services of beauticians and hairdressers.

Required documents include, a copy of the original invoices and the receipt of the deposit paid, copy of the final fiscal receipt of good and services provided, copy of the original contracts and subsequent amendments along with the declaration of the vendor/service provider that the original deposit was kept.

He explained that the application process is simple, and applications can be accepted online on the Commissioner for Revenue website. The scheme has a deadline of not later than six months after the postponement of a wedding or civil union ceremony. The scheme closes when all funds have been exhausted.

Schembri noted that this specific scheme will only cater for a select group of people, yet he highlighted that the government is there to help every single individual. When asked whether he has a figure of how many couples will apply for the scheme, he said that he is confident that the scheme is well-budgeted enough to cover most if not all couples in this situation.