Zika A Major Concern For South Florida Event Planners

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. For event planners like Chris Weinberg, CEO of Chris Weinberg Events, a company that creates high end weddings and parties, Zika is a big concern.

"Miami is a global city and the media is reporting on it globally," Weinberg said. "And so there are a lot of concerns all over the world about coming to Miami during this time."

Just three weeks ago, one client in particular from Toronto just canceled her destination wedding on South Beach after eight months of planning.

"As soon as the Zika outbreak came in Wynwood, we received a call right away that they wanted to cancel and we completely understood," Weinberg said.

That client is Stephanie Maldoff – a bride to be who spent her childhood vacations in South Florida and planned her dream wedding to her fiancé Josh on the sands of South Beach for October 30th.

CBS4's Lisa Petrillo spoke to her recently via Skype.

"We were planning on having the ceremony, cocktails and dinner outside and then move inside for dancing. We really wanted to enjoy the elements and overlook the ocean and feel like you're in a beautiful warm place," Maldoff told Petrillo.

And then, the CDC released that travel advisory here on Zika.

"A lot of our friends, family and siblings are in child bearing years and there were people who are planning to get pregnant within six to eight months. They said they couldn't come and others said they would come if they needed to, but they'd be uncomfortable. They said they would wear long sleeves and wouldn't be outside," Maldoff explained. "And at that point, you're  making people uncomfortable so what's the point?"

And so, with sadness and stress, they cancelled.

"I think it was disappointing not to be able to do what we had spent so much time, money, effort and planning on and also we were really excited and anything else was a far second best," Maldoff said.

Maldoff's family lost many of the pre-paid deposits.

As for the events industry, Weinberg says with proper education the parties will still go on.

"Don't shut the door on South Florida. We're not going anywhere. Many people are still traveling here and eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels and enjoying our beaches," Weinberg said. "And if your pregnant or trying to get pregnant, I think you have to take extra precautions and be safe."

And for Maldoff, she and Josh will get married in October at home in Toronto.

"I think you have to roll with it and know whatever we do will be great and we'll be excited because at the end of the day we will be able to get married," she said.

As for the upcoming events in town, Weinberg said none of her local clients have canceled as of yet as they are becoming more educated on Zika. She also says now is the perfect time to book a party as the hospitality industry is offering lots of great deals!

Click here for more information on the Zika virus or here for more Zika-related stories.