17/12/2021
New guidance:
Following the update to the guidance for weddings in England, a key question has arisen: Is it now a requirement for the couple and officiant to wear a mask throughout the wedding ceremony in settings where it is now mandatory to wear one?
The law allows for masks to be removed when there is "reasonable excuse" in settings where they would otherwise be mandatory.
The specific wording stating that the couple and officiant are exempt has been removed from the guidance but it may simply be that it now is covered by that much wider exemption, which allows for individuals to use their own judgement within the boundaries of the law.
To us at Guides for Brides, it is clear that there is a strong argument that a couple's face should not be covered at any stage while entering a legal contract; it is for that reason that veils are removed as a bride reaches the altar.
In addition, the officiant and the couple say important and legally binding words during a marriage or civil partnership ceremony that need to be heard clearly by all witnesses, including those reliant on lipreading.
We would argue that there is therefore just and reasonable cause for the couple and officiant to remove masks if they choose to during the ceremony, in addition to any person that is formally "giving away".
For the reception, the wording confirms that masks can be removed throughout the entire reception, not just while eating and drinking, including for higher transmission risk activities such as dancing and singing.
Please remember, it is crucial that we keep officiants, venue staff and all others safe and do all we can to reduce transmission rates, especially with the new variant. So, we ask you to please discuss any concerns you have with those involved in your wedding and respect the risk assessments issued by your Registrar, officiant, venue and other wedding professionals.
You can read the exact wording of the wedding guidance and formulate your own opinions here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-wedding-and-civil-partnership-ceremonies-receptions-and-celebrations
