Published 22nd February 2021
Updated: 19th July 2021
Boris announced last week that weddings of all sizes are now able to take place across England. Bringing joy to 1000’s of couples across the country who can now have the wedding they have been dreaming and waiting for over the past 18 months.
The government website has outlined the summary of changes and guidance for weddings from the 19th July 2021, which include:
NO legal restrictions on the number of wedding guests you can have attended your wedding, wedding reception or civil partnership.
The social distancing requirement of keeping 2 meters apart from people you do not live with is no longer required by law.
Face coverings are also no longer required by law however, the government advises that people wear face coverings in crowded areas, such as public transport or crowded indoor spaces.
Table service can now resume in venues.
The restrictions on singing or dancing will no longer apply.
England is now at ‘step 4’ of the roadmap out of easing the pandemic restrictions, the Prime Minister has urge caution ahead of the move to step 4 warning "this pandemic is not over". There are still steps to consider to minimise the rate of coronavirus transmission. You should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually. This includes minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts where possible. If a person has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace as they have been tested positive for COVID-19 or they have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 they must still self isolate and not attend a wedding.
Boris stated, "We cannot simply revert instantly from Monday, July 19 to life as it was before Covid". The prime minister added that he hoped the roadmap would be "irreversible" but "in order to have that, it has also got to be a cautious approach".
Nightclubs are now open, along with other venues with large crowds they are encouraged to use the covid vaccine passports "as a matter of social responsibility", the prime minister said. This would allow people to show they are double-jabbed, have had a negative test result, or have natural immunity after recovering from Covid-19, encouraging the population to have their vaccine.
In guidance published after the press conference, the government said it "reserves the right" to make certification mandatory in certain venues if necessary in the future and there will be a review again in September. You should follow guidance for weddings to reduce risk and protect yourself and others.
The lockdown rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland remain different to England.
From the 19th July, Scotland moved into the lowest Level 0 restrictions allowing 200 guests (from 100 at level 1) and allowing dancing and drinks receptions outside. All wedding restrictions are expected to be removed in Scotland from the 9th August.
In Wales, the socially distanced capacity of each individual venue decides the number of guests you can have at your wedding. Face coverings must be worn inside by everyone (over the age of 11 ) except for the couple and officiant and when eating and drinking, Dancing at weddings is still banned. Welsh rules are being reviewed on the 7th of August when the country is expected to enter Level 0 removing restrictions.
In Northern Ireland, wedding guest numbers will also be decided by the venue based on the socially distanced capacity. Dancing is also banned, face coverings must still be worn inside except when eating or drinking. Tables are limited to 10 guests not including children under 12 and the top table.
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Update from: 5th July 2021
Freedom day: 19th July 2021. Wedding Restrictions to be lifted.
The prime minister announced on 5th July that the final stage of England's roadmap, step four, will be lifted on 19th July 2021 meaning that weddings should be able to go ahead without any restrictions.
Step four was delayed last month to no earlier than 19 July due to the surging Delta variant of the covid virus. Johnson said step four should proceed on 19th July, subject to the 12 July review.
So what are the wedding rules in England up until 19th July??
Unlimited guests can attend a wedding ceremony or reception held outside, or in a covid-secure public venue. however, Wedding Venues must comply with social distancing rules, which will limit how many people they can host. Contact your wedding venue to see how many guests they can hold whilst keeping within the social distancing rules.
Wedding Venues must also provide table service
Face coverings must be worn indoors by everyone (aged 11 and over) when not eating or drinking unless they are exempt. This includes staff at the event, but not the couple or the person officiating.
No dancing allowed.
If you are holding a wedding in a private setting (for example in a garden) - you need to complete a risk assessment to determine how many guests you can host safely.
The government website states a marquee or other structure in a private garden of a private home must have at least 50% of its walled area open at any time for it to be classed as “outdoors”, and for the limit based on safe capacity to apply.
Weddings in private homes can only take place with six people or two households present, unless one of those getting married is seriously ill, in which case 30 people can attend.
The government website sets out the new covid19 summer response statutes that ‘‘All restrictions on life events such as weddings, funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs and baptisms will be removed, including the remaining restrictions on the number of attendees. There will be no requirement for table service at life events or restrictions on singing or dancing.’’
The Government will assess the four tests again on 12 July to decide whether to proceed to step 4 on 19 July.
To find the most up-to-date information about the restrictions please visit the government website here or here for weddings.
Update from: 14th June 2021
Boris announcement: unlimited numbers at weddings from 14th June.
Boris announced on Monday 14th June 2021 that the limit on the number of people who can attend weddings in England will be scrapped from 21 June 2021, but the rules on dancing and singing will remain.
The Priminister confirmed the 30-person limit on wedding ceremonies and receptions will be removed as planned, as he announced a four-week delay to the lifting of all COVID restrictions until 19th June 2021.
There is no set maximum number of guests that can be invited. However, any limits on guests will be set by wedding venues based on social distancing requirements, the prime minister said. Venues must comply with social distancing rules, which will limit how many people they can host. They must also provide table service. The large venues can host more guests, if you have a wedding booked speak to your venue to find out the maximum number of guests you can have at your wedding. The maximum numbers including guests of all ages and anyone working at the event.
Face coverings must be worn indoors by everyone (aged 11 and over) when not eating or drinking unless they are exempt. This includes staff at the event, but not the couple or the person officiating.
If you are holding a wedding in a private setting (for example in a garden) - you need to complete a risk assessment to determine how many guests you can host safely. The government website states a marquee or other structure in a private garden of a private home must have at least 50% of its walled area open at any time for it to be classed as “outdoors”, and for the limit based on safe capacity to apply.
To find the most up-to-date information about the restrictions please visit the government website here or here for weddings.
Update from 22nd February 2021
The Government Announcement 2021. What does this mean for weddings?
On Monday 22nd February 2021, Boris Johnson announced a roadmap for easing the restrictions out of lockdown three from 8th May 2021. This announcement includes ease of restrictions on weddings and the number of guests you can have at your wedding.
We have listed the dates below however, Boris Johnson has also said these dates are the ‘earliest dates’ for these restrictions to ease and it all depends on the numbers of coronavirus cases. The dates below are subject to review:
Now: Weddings with up to 6 guests can take place only in exceptional circumstances. From now until the 8th March 2021.
Step 1: Weddings with up to 6 guests can take place. From 8th March 2021.
Step 2: Weddings with up to 15 guests can take place. From 12th April 2021.
Step 3: Weddings with up to 30 guests can take. From 17th May 2021.
Step 4: Wedding with unlimited guest numbers. From 21st June 2021.
Boris Johnson said he was hopeful that weddings would be able to go ahead in summer 2021. He said: "My hope is by summer it really will be a different world for the weddings and events industry. I hope that your potential customers will be full of confidence and optimism as well and will be getting hitched in the normal way. I think you should be able to plan for a much more active summer and lots of happy nuptial events all over the UK."
The government website also states that ‘‘Implementing this roadmap plan will be guided by data, not dates. There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step: four weeks for the scientific data to reflect the changes in restrictions and to be analysed. followed by one week’s advance notice of the restrictions that will be eased.’’
To find the most up-to-date information about the restrictions please visit the government website here or read the full announcement from 22nd February here.
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