Weddings - Covid-19

06/01/2021

Our first blog of 2021 summarises the current state of play with weddings and events under lockdown 3.0. Pretty obvious but some tips for remaining focused and hopeful.

https://www.bumbleevents.co.uk/2021-where-do-we-go-from-here/

Since being plunged into a third lockdown, we have to endure, yet again, strict restrictions to keep ourselves and others safe. But, what about weddings? Well, it was beginning to look hopeful for those of us in tier 1 and 2, with small receptions of 15 people or less able to go ahead. However, sinc...

23/09/2020

Following the PM’s latest announcements weddings are back down to 15 attendees!
Our hearts are with everyone that this impacts. We know, though our own clients, how hard things are at this time. Whilst safety remains paramount, these latest changes makes it so challenging to plan and find the energy for further organising.
If you haven’t done so already make sure you speak with your venues and caterers ASAP to check what their minimum numbers are for weddings. It’s also a good time to check in with your other vendors.
Anyone getting married this side of the year? What are your thoughts?
Sending virtual hugs. Stay strong!

11/09/2020

Events & Weddings - Your Latest Covid-19 Update

In 2020, our lives have been turned upside and sideways. ‘Face to face’ events became a thing of the past as wedding days and celebrations were postponed or even cancelled. However, are times slowly changing for the better and can we expect to see some normality soon?

Since early July, outdoor weddings of up to 30 guests have been permitted in the UK. Despite this being a joyous announcement for some, for others, it left their eagerly awaited day being changed, postponed, or even cancelled altogether. 30 guests in an outdoor space isn’t as easy to arrange as some may initially think. But, fear not, we are here to shed some light on the new announcement regarding weddings. Drum roll, please…

We are delighted to announce that sit-down wedding receptions are allowed to take place in England as of 15th August 2020. No need to reread, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Sit-down receptions of up to 30 guests are now permitted and we couldn’t be more thrilled. However, the rules of who can attend and where the wedding can be held are still a little confusing, so let us explain the ins and outs of this new update.

A Brief Rundown

On 23rd March 2020, the unimaginable happened for a lot of couples, families and businesses alike: we were all told that weddings were to be banned until further notice, as the UK had gone into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost 74,000 weddings and civil partnership ceremonies were called off, with couples unaware of when their big day could take place. This was heart-breaking news for couples who had spent months, or even years, planning their perfect day. In the following months, we all eagerly awaited update after update, hoping our politicians and leading health experts could shed some light on when weddings could go ahead. Finally, our time has come.

As of 15th August, a maximum of 30 people are allowed to attend a ‘sit-down reception’ in England, but what are the rules for the rest of the UK?

In Northern Ireland, small outdoor weddings are allowed to take place, but with restrictions. The number of guests allowed must be decided by each individual venue, after undertaking a risk assessment to see how feasible social distancing is. This may result in a wedding being larger, or smaller, than the 30 guests allowed in England. This is also similar in Wales, where couples aren’t allowed an indoor reception whatsoever. Along with England, Scotland has also allowed indoor wedding ceremonies, but only allowing 20 guests to attend.

Now What?

The government has recently published its guidelines on how to ensure a wedding goes ahead smoothly and within the safety measures put in place. In England, venues must ensure that they only reopen to the public for events if it is safe to do so. By this, they mean that there is enough space to make sure guests can be at a safe distance from one another, following social distance guidelines. Along with this, ceremonies must be kept as short as possible, to restrict the amount of time people are in one space together.

These aren’t the only rules put in place, however. It has also been stated that no food or drink should be consumed at any events – but there are some exceptions. For some, the consumption of food or drink during a ceremony is essential. These traditions will be honoured, as long as it is safe to do so.

Along with this, large groups of people singing or playing instruments is to be avoided by all means. Sadly, it has come to light that singing can spread the virus quicker. We won’t go into too much detail about that, but we are sure you can imagine why. Although for some this won’t be a huge loss (who doesn’t love a good Spotify playlist?) for others, this will be a make or break guideline. Brides and grooms alike often dream about having the perfect live band at their wedding – but unfortunately, that is now off the cards.

As previously mentioned, a maximum of 30 people can attend a wedding or civil partnership ceremony. However, there are conditions bound to this rule as well. 30 people may only attend where there is space to socially distance safely and effectively. Along with this, you have to take into account who exactly this involves. The 30 people that can be at a ceremony at a time aren’t just the guests – you have to also include the officiant and other ‘staff’ not employed by the venue (for example, a photographer or events planner) So, this makes things a little more complicated. If you thought 30 guests was generous, you’re probably looking at more of the 25 mark instead.

Above everything else, social distancing is still extremely important and we cannot stress this enough. At least one metre should still be kept between people of different households – so hugging loved ones is a massive “no!” Thankfully, one metre isn’t actually as bad as you may initially think, so don’t be thinking you’ll have to be shouting across the room to have a conversation!

One last thing we felt was important to mention was how venues will be keeping note of whether the virus is present at their establishment. Each venue will be expected to keep a record of all its visitors for 21 days – just to be on the safe side. This means that track and trace measures can be fully implemented and anyone who may have been exposed to the virus can be notified immediately.

Thankfully, things are moving in the right direction. Weddings and events are looking more and more likely, as people abandon their Zoom calls and get back to reality. But we cannot stress enough how important it is to follow these guidelines put in place. Everyone wants their events and wedding days to run as smoothly as possible. Don’t let Covid-19 crash the best day of your life. Stay safe and we will update you as and when new guidelines are presented to us.

Editor’s note

As testimony to the ever changing rules surrounding Covid-19, since writing this blog there have been new social distance restrictions put in place. As of Monday 14th September 2020 no meetings of groups of more than 6 outside of your household are permitted. This rule applies to people of all ages and for both indoor and outdoor events. There are exceptions for specific events (weddings and funerals come under this), and for things like schools and workplaces.

20/07/2020

The Coronavirus has been a learning curve for everyone. We have had to completely change our way of life in a relatively short period of time and we still have a long way to go. Unfortunately, it looks as though we will be living with this virus for some time – so what does that mean for weddings? Couples have struggled immensely over the past couple of months, especially those who had their big day planned. They have seen their plans delayed, pushed back to next year or even put off altogether. The financial losses involved in changing or cancelling your wedding day can be a massive burden on couples. Along with this, venues aren’t always being co-operative when dealing with cancelations and date changes. On a few occasions, couples have been charged a cancelation fee, despite the current climate.

During these unforeseen times, we have heard some horror stories from couples planning their wedding. However, couples were competing with unprofessional suppliers even before the virus – so it is understandable if you are feeling a little uneasy and nervous about the whole thing. Unfortunately, with social media so accessible to everyone nowadays, criminals can set up a fake company at the click of a button. Fear not, however. There are regulations and rights out there to protect you when making decisions for your big day – but you need to make sure you do your research first.

What are your rights as a consumer?

As a consumer, you have certain rights that companies have to abide by to ensure you get the best service possible. For a long time, there was nothing in place to protect both the supplier and customer in the wedding industry, however this has now changed. There is now a code of conduct in the wedding events industry called the Consumer Code for Weddings and Events. This organisation (which can be found here: https://www.ccwe.co.uk/) aims to ensure consumers and businesses alike have as much faith in one another as possible. The Consumer Code for Weddings and Events (CCWE) made sure to establish higher standards in the events industry and offer free, professional services when trying to resolve complaints about traders. Their aims are to give consumers confidence, raise standards within the industry, provide clear expectations and settle disputes as fairly as possible.

So, “how does this fill me with confidence?” you may be asking. Well, the CCWE, as previously mentioned, has aims to raise the events industry standards and encourages its members to follow set guidelines to achieve them. They suggest that clients put in place measures that demonstrate good practice and fair trade, offer excellent customer services and resolve any potential disputes through their own dispute’s services, if and when necessary.

In some cases, unfortunately, mediation isn’t possible. If a mutual agreement of a dispute isn’t met, then the CCWE will open a case to deal with the unresolved issues. At this point, both the client and the business will no longer have any say in the matter and the case outcome will be an independent decision from the organisation. The CCWE will make sure to compile as much evidence as they can and work with all information given to ensure the fairest outcome possible. However, don’t panic if you get to this stage and realise something is missing. The client will then be given one, final opportunity to say something else before the case is handed over.

You may be wondering where that leaves us now, during these unforeseen circumstances. The Corona Virus originally left consumers and businesses both in a bit of a grey area, but that doesn’t mean you should still be kept in the dark now. According to recent research, more and more couples are looking to change their wedding date to sometime in the future. If you, as a consumer, decide to cancel or postpone your wedding, you need to know your rights to ensure you don’t end up with any unwanted bills. If you are the party cancelling, you may find that the venue and/or the suppliers a little uneasy – this is because their cancellation policy may leave you owing a bit of money. If it is possible, try to negotiate with the suppliers about rebooking for a later date, to hopefully prevent any hidden costs coming your way. However, if you are considering cancelling or moving your big day back, do it sooner rather than later. Make sure you are aware of the supplier’s cancelation policy, because the longer you leave it, the more you may have to pay.

Venue Cancellations

If you were planning to go ahead with the big day, but your venue of choice decides to cancel all foreseeable weddings – your rights are slightly different to the above. Thankfully, if your venue cancels at any time, you are entitled to any money you have already paid. However, make sure to check your wedding insurance policy (you can read our blog post about wedding insurance here: https://www.bumbleevents.co.uk/covid-19-and-wedding-insurance/) to know exactly what is and isn’t covered by your insurer.

Make sure you are aware of your rights, no matter the circumstances. Legally, deposits cannot be ‘non-refundable,’ so make sure you investigate why you may not be getting your money back. If a venue or supplier keeps the money you have paid, make sure to ask them for a breakdown of costs and question why a refund cannot be made. If you still feel as though a venue is unlawfully refusing you a refund, collect as much evidence to support your case as possible. Once you have collected this, you may be able to go to the CEO of the company and state your case.



You shouldn’t be left penniless in a circumstance no one could have predicted – that isn’t fair in the slightest. Your big day is supposed to be when you tie the knot with the person you love, not get tied in knots over complicated refunds and debt. Ensure you have done as much research on the Consumer Rights Acts as possible and always keep the lines of communications open with your venue and suppliers. Although they may seem to be causing you a hard time, mostly they want what is best for everyone involved, however, they cannot please everyone. So, make sure you fight your corner, research and prevent any unwanted fees rearing their ugly head.

Please share any tips and hints you have to help - thank you!

If there is one thing we can agree on from this year, it is that the Corona virus has turned the world upside down. Our economy, wellbeing and sanity have been tested in these trying times, with many people having concerns over future plans. One...

25/06/2020

Covid Wedding Planning - Update Outside weddings allowed!

Over the past three months, COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down. We have had to adapt to having birthday parties over Zoom calls, walks with our families from a safe distance and washing down everything that enters our homes with some trusty anti-bac. However, one particular life event that has been hit hardest are weddings. Weddings have had to either be put on hold, performed over Zoom, or even cancelled altogether during these unforeseen circumstances. Couples have had to add hundreds of days to their count down clocks, as they wait anxiously for news on whether or not their big day can go ahead.

The updates, on occasion, have been vague. We have eagerly watched each and every live Corona Virus Daily Briefing in the hopes that we will be given some sort of indication of when weddings can finally go ahead. So, what now?

On Tuesday 23rd June, Boris Johnson once again brought to us a Daily Update, but this one was different. Instead of letting us know the heart-breaking figures our country has experienced, he sent out a message of hope. This ‘hope’ comes in the form of normality. Johnson has confirmed that from 4th July 2020 pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be opened and social distancing measures will be reduced from 2 meters, to 1. Along with this news he had something else to say. Wedding ceremonies can now go ahead! Yes, you read correctly – well, sort of. Before you get well and truly excited, as we did when we listened to the announcement, let’s take you through the details which shed a bit more light on what a wedding this year could mean.

Johnson explained that as of 4th July, outdoor wedding ceremonies can take place as long as they have under 30 attendees. Now, for some of you who have large weddings planned this may not be the news you were hoping for but it is encouraging. We feel that if Covid cases continue to fall then there may be greater relaxing of measures around the wedding and event industry. There is always the option of reducing the numbers for your wedding. We’ve covered the pros and cons of this in several of the preceding Covid-19 wedding blogs so have a peep if you are considering a smaller wedding.

Of course, with this new guidance comes even more regulations we need to follow to ensure we are all keeping safe. To ensure both the happy couple and their guests are as safe as they can be, the ceremony must still take place with the social distancing regulations being followed – so that is a big “no!” to hugging your guests. Along with this new regulation, the Prime Minister also released a statement that places of worship are now allowed to open for prayers and services – as long as they can follow the social distancing guidelines. If you were looking at having a religious wedding, then this is brilliant news! However, we are still waiting on what the exact regulations are going to be surrounding this.

With this new update, obviously also comes uncertainty and caution, which is to be expected. The government has urged that people still take extra care when seeing people – so wedding ceremonies aren’t going back to how they were just yet. However, this does mean that you are able to celebrate your big day with up to 30 of your closest friends and family members. We wonder how many people will choose ‘From a Distance’ by Bette Midler as their wedding song?

We await further details for what this means for wedding receptions and evening parties but we will continue to keep you updated as things become clearer.

The update on Tuesday was a massive breakthrough for society; we are slowly but surely getting back to a new kind of ‘normal.’ Although we still have to be sensible and make sure we are taking all the precautions necessary, things are looking a little more positive. Remember, it is still your decision whether you decide to go ahead with an outdoor wedding – you can always still postpone it if you feel it safest to do so. If we can give you one bit of advice, it would be to get your hands on a good wedding planner and events coordinator. They will help keep you up to date on the situation and adapt as and when needed – ensuring you are prepared for all eventualities! We are all still fighting this dreadful virus together and our safety should be priority.

24/06/2020

Lockdown has meant lots of virtual celebrations. But as restraints begin to ease, what will the enduring role of technology be in the event world and what are the benefits and drags! Peep our latest blog!

https://www.bumbleevents.co.uk/technology-a-blessing-or-a-curse/

In the modern age we live in, it is no wonder that so many events are turning to the use of technology to help give their clients the best experience possible. With the Corona virus dictating what we can and cannot do, technology has stepped...

13/06/2020

Wedding Insurance and The Impact of Covid19

If there is one thing we can agree on from this year, it is that the Corona virus has turned the world upside down. Our economy, wellbeing and sanity have been tested in these trying times, with many people having concerns over future plans. One of the biggest and most important plans you will ever make in your life is your wedding day. This is a day of celebration, love and getting all your friends and family to celebrate you and your partner coming together for the rest of your lives. With that being said, now, more than ever, wedding insurance should be the first thing you arrange. However, with insurance comes a lot of debating and confusion, especially now we have a new virus to contend with too. Cover has changed during this outbreak, so it is important that you know exactly what you’re getting (if you’re super busy and want a quick rundown on these changes, head to the ‘Read the Fine Print’ section.) Given that your wedding day should be a day filled with laughter, happy tears and love, insurance helps you to ensure that this goes ahead. But where do you stand in the current climate and what is actually covered?

First Things First

Although this might not be the most enjoyable part of organising your wedding, we cannot stress the importance of this first step. Whether your big day is next month or next year, our new not-so-friendly neighbourhood virus has highlighted the importance of wedding insurance. We like to look at it this way – Weddings should be treated like all of your much-loved possessions. Is your mobile phone insured, for instance? Or even your house, or your pets? Just like anything else you care about; insurance is key to ensuring the safety of your possessions. However, with uncertain times ahead, what does this mean for your insurance policy?

What is Covered?

Although different policies vary in what they offer, most wedding insurers will offer very similar cover for your big day. As we have mentioned, like insurance for anything else, wedding insurance covers all the important bits. For example, most insurance will protect and cover any deposits paid – this includes venue deposits, catering deposits and the deposit for your perfect dress. We all know things can happen to prevent your big day not going ahead, that is where your trusty insurance comes in. By being covered, you know that you have done everything in your power to avoid being out of pocket, should something arise that is out of your hands. But, remember that not all insurance covers cancelations due to the Corona virus – given that this is a new factor that insurers now have to think about when helping to cover you and your big day.

Read the Fine Print

Firstly, some good news. If you had taken out insurance prior to the Corona virus outbreak, then your insurance should still cover you for any cancelations of almost any nature. Now time for the ‘not so good’ news. Before taking out new insurance during this time, make sure you read the fine print – we cannot stress this enough. Some insurance policies mention in their terms and conditions that they do not cover for any ‘foreseeable problems.’ As it stands currently, the Corona virus is a foreseeable factor that may result in the cancelation of your big day. It isn’t all downhill from here though. As with other insurance policies, every case is unique. For example, if a venue has to cancel your wedding day due to the virus, that is a ‘fault’ of the venue, and you may still be able to make a claim. If you have any concerns about a new or existing policy, try giving your insurer a call and see where you stand.

It’s Never Too Late

If you started off reading this, feeling confident in your decision not to take out insurance and now not feeling so sure, fear not. It is never too late to purchase wedding insurance. Despite having said that the sooner you purchase insurance the better, you can actually purchase insurance at any time prior to the event (within reason). It is important to note, however, that some wedding insurers have put their services on hold for the time being, to wait for the current situation to calm down a little. However, this doesn’t mean that other insurers aren’t still selling new services.

Still Unsure?

Still unsure whether taking out insurance at this time is worthwhile? No worries. There are plenty of other things that can be put in place to ensure you don’t lose out in these confusing times – even without insurance. If a venue, for instance, is willing to hold your big day for you, they may say that there is only a small fee for cancelation. Or if you’re very lucky, a venue may allow you to cancel for free. It is within your rights to ask for this when you’re booking your wedding day and venues will usually be relatively flexible on terms – especially now. Remember, venues are struggling at this time too. So, they want to be as accommodating as possible to ensure they not only deliver a beautiful wedding day, but also secure the business.

Your wedding should be special, magical and one of the best days of your life. Instead of ‘doom and gloom,’ that the Corona virus is so cruelly placing on society now, we’re looking for ‘bloom and groom.’ Wedding insurance offers that safety net for you and your significant other to sleep well at night, knowing you’re covered for all eventualities. However, we understand that these uncertain times bring the feeling of vulnerability and lack of confidence in purchasing anything that may result in loss of funds. Your wedding planning should be filled with fun, not stress-induced headaches, so make sure you take your time to arrange what is best for you and your partner. The world is constantly changing, especially with the Corona virus still rearing its ugly head. But we can still dream of our big day, knowing we have done everything in our power to ensure the day runs smoothly or can be rearranged to a later date if necessary. The importance of reading and researching is key here, so do what feels right for you.

18/05/2020

There’s certainly no denying that there has been a fair amount of confusion surrounding the government’s latest COVID-19 announcements. Many people have been left wanting clarification and specific timescales, especially those with an upcoming wedding. Not a lot has changed in light of the latest announcements; social distancing is still paramount and social gatherings are not allowed. This means that, currently, wedding ceremonies and reception parties are still not permitted. Anyone with an upcoming wedding has a difficult decision to make, to go ahead with a much smaller celebration, in due course, or wait to have the day they envisioned.



Are Weddings Allowed During COVID-19?

No, on 23rd March the government announced a ban on all weddings.

Couples in England could be allowed to hold their weddings from June, after the government announced it is looking at ways small ceremonies can be facilitated safely.

As disappointing as that is, it is understandable and we expect that even when weddings are allowed, the numbers of attendees permitted will be still significantly reduced. If you had planned a large wedding with family and friends in attendance, this very likely won’t be able to go ahead as originally envisioned and so it’s important to consider (I’m sure most of you have already) your options.

Scale it right back to the reduced amount of guests allowed. Potentially no physical wedding reception after but this doesn’t mean you can’t still get a DJ to spin some tunes and everyone tune in and have a boogie plus some drinks via a video sharing platform suck as Zoom or Skype. You can always have a blessing and party next year with all your favourite people………or not perhaps. It’s a brilliant way to save money and still be married!
Postpone until 2021 or further.
At this stage, if you’re postponing then it makes sense to go into 2021 where most certainly rules will allow for larger celebrations. We think that, for the remainder of 2020, social gatherings and leisure facilities will continue to be heavily restricted.



Overseas Guests and International Weddings

There was some mention of quarantine periods for people who travel internationally. This could scupper plans for international weddings for everyone – not just Brits. If you plan to invite guests from overseas they will very likely be required to quarantine for a period of time upon arrival into the UK and then again upon return to their home country. This simply won’t be feasible for a lot of people and makes the mere idea of attending a wedding abroad quite daunting. Similarly, couples who planned a nice beach side wedding abroad are going to run into similar problems. Depending on where you get married, there’s a high chance that you and your guests will be subject to quarantine upon arrival to the country and when returning to the UK. Again, this makes travelling abroad for a wedding difficult and won’t be practical for a lot of people.

It’s still unknown what the impact will be on flight and hotel prices too so there’s that to think about.



COVID-19 Will Probably Mean Making Changes to Your Wedding

Regardless of the type of wedding you have planned, you will probably need to make some changes to ensure it follows COVID-19 guidelines.

In a nutshell, if you aren’t happy with settling for a smaller wedding, you need to think pretty quickly about rescheduling or cancelling your wedding. Start by liaising with your wedding venue to check whether you can change to a 2021 date and start speaking to your insurers (fingers crossed you took out insurance). Not all wedding and travel insurers are paying out, so it’s important to know what you are entitled to before making any decisions. If you don’t have wedding insurance, don’t despair – a lot of venues and wedding suppliers are offering flexible terms to accommodate so put on your game face and get to negotiating!



There’s a lot that’s unknown at the moment, but we will continue to provide updates as more clarity is given regarding COVID-19 and government restrictions on weddings.

Let us know how it’s going and what what you’ve decided to do.

16/05/2020

I'm late with posting the latest blog post but it's FINALLY up following Boris's very unclear address LAST sunday on plans for lifting restrictions. Have a pre to see how it impacts those with plans to hitch in 2020.
What have you decided to do? Postpone or go ahead.

https://www.bumbleevents.co.uk/what-the-latest-government-covid-19-announcements-mean-for-your-wedding/

There’s certainly no denying that there has been a fair amount of confusion surrounding the government’s latest COVID-19 announcements. Many people have been left wanting clarification and specific timescales, especially those with an upcoming wedding. Not a lot has changed in light of the lates...