A discussion which was circulating on social media last week has sparked wider questions about responsibility for structural certification at wedding venues in Malta, after a soon-to-be bride claimed she was asked to source a warranted engineer to certify event décor on the day of their wedding.

The post, shared in a local wedding-focused Facebook group, quickly gained traction, with numerous commenters including wedding planners questioned both the feasibility and standard practice of such a request.

According to the post, the couple were asked to ensure certification for various elements of their setup, including structures such as staging, trussing and decorative installations. The request, reportedly made close to the wedding date, raised concerns among industry professionals about timing, cost, and liability.

Contributors to the discussion argued that structural certification is typically handled by the suppliers responsible for installing the structures, rather than by the client. Others pointed out that certification processes generally require prior planning, including design submissions and engineering checks, rather than same-day sign-off.

Some commenters also raised concerns about the practical implications of last-minute certification, noting that engineers assuming responsibility on the day of an event would be exposed to significant liability without having conducted prior assessments.

In response to questions on the matter, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority clarified to WhosWho.mt that responsibility is defined under Maltese law.

“Under Maltese law (Subsidiary Legislation 646.24), the responsibility for issuing certification in relation to structural installations rests with the service provider of the installation in question,” the Authority said.

This suggests that, in practice, suppliers responsible for setting up structures such as stages or trusses would be expected to ensure that the necessary certification is in place.

The situation has also prompted broader discussion how responsibilities are communicated between venues, suppliers and clients, particularly in the context of large-scale events such as weddings.

WhosWho.mt has reached out to the venue mentioned in the discussion for comment but has not received a reply as of the time of writing this article.