18/06/2021
What Are the Current Rules for Weddings in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
England
The newly-announced gov.uk guidelines state that as of 21st June, indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies and civil partnership ceremonies can take place with more than 30 people. The exact number will be determined by a risk assessment completed by the venue. The general rule seems to be that venues can host around half their maximum capacity when in adherence with social distancing guidelines.
Here's what weddings look like from 21st June:
More than 30 people are allowed at an indoor or outdoor ceremony and reception, provided the venue is Covid-secure and adhering to social distancing rules.
Ceremonies cannot take place indoors in a private home (unless they are urgent weddings where one person is seriously ill and not expected to recover, when six people or two households can attend) but can take place in private gardens, as can receptions. You may have up to 30 guests at an outdoor wedding in your garden, on private land or in a public outdoor space without doing a Covid risk assessment. If you want to have more than 30 people, you will need to complete a risk assessment or face a £10,000 fine.
If an event if taking place outdoors, it can be partially sheltered, but structures like marquees should be at least 50% open.
Children of all ages are included in the individual venue's limit for ceremonies and receptions. Likewise, the couple are included, but anyone working is not.
Indoor professional performances (i.e. a live band, magician, saxophonist etc) can take place at both the ceremony and reception. There is no limit to the number of performers but it should be determined on how many the venue can safely accommodate with social distancing measures.
Amateur choirs, bands or musicians may perform in a group of up to six indoors. Outdoors, they may perform in multiple groups of up to 30. However, communal singing should not take place indoors - so no hymns still at a religious wedding.
Dancing "is advised against", except for the couple's first dance. Dancefloors must remain closed but can be repurposed for additional seating.
Venues and places of worship will be able to "provide food and drink but must adhere to the guidance on hospitality at this step, including that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure that individuals remain seated. This sharing of vessels or glasses, including where part of a religious service, should be avoided."
"If the event is taking place at a COVID-secure venue where alcohol is served, all food and drink (including non-alcoholic drink) must be ordered, served and consumed by the customer while seated at a table" - this means no standing drinks receptions and all food and drink must be table service for ordering and delivery.
Guests do not need to be placed on socially distanced tables or on tables or six in a Covid-secure venue - "however, the organiser must still take reasonable measures to limit transmission. As part of doing so they should consider the risks of not maintaining social distancing"
Speeches should be given outside or in well ventilated areas. Speakers should use a PA system to amplify their speech and not raise their voice.
Close contact with loved ones is a "personal choice" but people are advised to exercise caution.
Activities where the couple are watched by guests are allowed, such as the cutting of the cake or playing a Mr & Mrs game. However, objects in the reception venue which will be touched by lots of people should be minimised, e.g. a guest book, games station.
Attendees and staff at a wedding ceremony or reception are required by law to wear a face covering indoors, except when eating or drinking. There are valid exemptions for those who do not need to wear a mask; those who are leading services or events in a place of worship; and the couple being married or joined in a civil partnership and those officiating the weeding.
From Step 3, there is no requirement for guests to be placed on socially distanced tables, "though they should consider the risks of doing so, as set out in new guidance on meeting friends and family."
Guests are allowed to leave England and travel to other parts of the UK (or abroad) to attend your marriage or civil partnership. If you're outside of England, you must follow the rules on weddings in that destination.
Further information on what is allowed at cultural and religious weddings is set out in the places of worship guidance.
If you're wanting to look at wedding venues, showrounds are allowed. "Viewings can take place in venues permitted in law to be open at each step, but must take place in accordance with social contact rules."
In venues able to open (which is most, except for nightclubs which remain closed by law), viewings are able to take place indoors in groups of six, or two households. The same number can attend a viewing outdoors. Note these limits do not include those working, such as the venue manager.
