Tag: covid-19

The Current COVID Wedding Rules in England

UPDATED: 14th June 2021

N.B. The following applies to weddings in England only. We are expecting official confirmation from the government tomorrow which will be updated here.

Finally, we can give you the news that we’ve all been waiting for – big weddings are back! The government has announced today that while other restrictions will remain in place, weddings with more than 30 guests will be able to go ahead in England from 21st June! Your patience and resilience through all of this have been incredible and we are so excited to watch you celebrate, even if there will still be some more restrictions in place than we had hoped for.

We know it can be tricky to work out exactly what these restrictions are and what is just guidance, but hopefully, we can help. Below are the latest rules, as reported by the Deputy Political Editor at The Telegraph. This should give some additional clarity about what is and isn’t allowed from 21st June.

From June 21st:

Allowed:

  • Unlimited attendees at wedding ceremonies and receptions, so long as they can be accommodated in a COVID-secure way
  • Musical entertainment, with a group of up to six performers allowed inside, and up to 30 performers allowed outdoors
  • The wedding couple’s first dance
  • Speeches, with the Government guidance urging that these take place outdoors or in a well-ventilated area where possible. Public address systems, such as microphones are preferable to raised voices.
  • Cutting of the cake
  • Guestbooks and camera stations are allowed, however, contact should be minimised, with hand sanitisation stations encouraged before and after use

Not Allowed:

  • Indoor dancing
  • Stand up drinks receptions at outdoor or indoor wedding venues

Advised Against:

  • Dancing outdoors
  • Communal singing, which includes hymns
  • Reusable service booklets and devotional materials. Single-use alternatives that can be binned should be used instead
  • Cash donations, with alternative online giving encouraged instead

Obligatory:

  • Facemasks must be worn indoors during wedding ceremonies and receptions, except for when eating and drinking
  • Table service for food and drink, with no more than six guests per table
  • Risk assessments are mandatory for all wedding venues, as well as guests celebrating on private land if more than 30 people are attending

Make sure you download the Bridebook app and update your wedding location and date. This will ensure you get breaking news that is relevant to your wedding, whenever it is announced. To get the latest updates follow #whataboutweddings and The UK Wedding Taskforce on Instagram.

The Latest COVID Wedding News

Update: The Times has reported that the government will (finally!) lift the 30-person limit on weddings, even if the easing of other lockdown restrictions is delayed beyond June 21.

We will be keeping you all up to date if there are any changes to the rollout of weddings, so you’ll never miss the latest news. Download the Bridebook app today so that you are first to hear of any changes to policy that may affect your wedding.

Whilst restrictions are set to end on the 21st of June, weddings are still likely to be a little different for the next couple of years. The “new normal” will probably still affect a few things at your wedding. And while there may be no major fixed rules, we want to give you some tips on how to navigate through the early days after restrictions end.

Below are our top tips for planning a post-COVID wedding.

1. Keep up to date with latest government restrictions

Firstly, make sure that you know the particular COVID rules in your given area. Remember that there are often slight differences in policy between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Keep up to date with everything here.

Also, while the government has said that there won’t be different rules for different regions, this policy may change. Particularly, if pockets of the countries see mini-outbreaks. Again, make sure you know the rules for your wedding location and your hometown. This way you won’t get caught out with any last-minute changes.

2. Make contingency plans for guests coming from abroad

One thing that definitely won’t be back to normal straightaway on 21st June is international travel. With new variants and differing vaccination rates, some restrictions on travel are sure to remain for a while.

As a result, we recommend making some contingency plans for any guests who are planning to come from abroad. Keep up to date with which countries are on which lists (red, amber, green). This will ensure you know which guests may need to quarantine and who may need to order tests for early release from quarantine. 

Travel rules are likely to remain in flux for some time yet, so do think about how you will mitigate this. Will you still go ahead with some live streaming options? A lot of venues now have this capability so do ask ahead of time. Similarly, we have seen some couples use computer tablets at tables for guests who are abroad and can’t make it to the ceremony.

Have a chat with your partner and work out what will work for you and your day.

3. Check your honeymoon destination

Since travel restrictions are likely to continue, you will also need to keep an eye on the rules for your honeymoon destination. Again, keep up to date with the latest for your particular country at the government-specific site.

Know what the quarantine rules are so that you can book the required time off and make sure you have your tests done well in advance.

Remember to do the same if you are having your hen do or stag do abroad, particularly if your bridesmaids or groomsmen aren’t quite as on-the-ball as you.

4. Keep your guests feeling safe

Even when restrictions end, some guests may still be nervous. It has been a really tough 18 months and some people want to take things a bit more cautiously than others. And that’s fine.

Make sure you know which of your guests might need a little more reassurance in advance. You can then provide badges for people who want to signal to others that they would like to keep their distance a bit more. 

You could seat them nearer to open doors or windows to get more ventilation. Simply increasing the number of sanitisation stations around the venue can put some people at ease.

Similarly, if you are a bit nervous about having your wedding straight after restrictions end, let your guests know what you expect from them. This way there won’t be any surprises on the day.

5. Talk to your venue about their safety measures

The staff at wedding venues want you and your guests to feel as safe as possible on your big day.

Many venues now have protocols for making a venue more COVID-secure. This can include greater distancing at tables, one-way systems around the property, and increased ventilation. As we mentioned above, many also have the ability to livestream parts of the event.

Chat to your venue to let them know what things you need on your particular day and they are likely to be very accommodating.

6. Download the Bridebook app

The Bridebook app is where you can get the latest and most up to date news for weddings. If things change, this is where you’ll find out first.

Update your date and let us know where you’ve booked your venue. Then we can provide you with the most relevant information for your specific wedding date and location.

7. Have fun!

Restrictions are due to end on 21st June, so there should be no major rules at your wedding outside of travel restrictions. Instead, it will be up to you to find the right balance for you and your guests. But remember, it has been an incredibly tough 18 months and one that we know people can’t wait to put behind them. People have never been in bigger need of a great party. Your wedding will be a celebration that will live long in the memory. So be safe, but enjoy it! You deserve the best day of your life.

FAQs: The Latest Wedding Rules in England Explained

England is currently in Stage 3 of unlocking, but what does this actually mean for your wedding?

We know that navigating through all of these regulations can be really tricky, so we are here to help. Our team has reviewed the current government advice and pulled together a list of the top FAQs so you can double-check you’re following all the guidelines for your big day.

A summary of the current guidelines: Weddings and civil partnerships can take place either indoors or outdoors at a Covid secure venue from May 17th.  The reception can include a seated meal and entertainment. Ceremonies and receptions are allowed in private gardens but not inside private homes. Stage 3 is expected to last until 20th June.  

Who is included within the 30 people? Up to 30 people can attend the wedding reception, not including any working staff. This 30 does however include children of any age. 

What counts as a Covid-secure venue? A venue that has completed a COVID specific risk assessment. We recommend you talk to your local authority or venue to find out more. 

Do guests need to wear masks? Face coverings are required by law indoors across the UK. Therefore, masks must be worn throughout the ceremony with the exception of the couple and officiant. Guests can remove face coverings when eating or drinking. 

Do guests need to be socially distanced? There is no longer a requirement to seat guests at socially distanced tables. There is a ‘greater emphasis’ on personal responsibility and people are encouraged to ‘exercise caution’ where necessary. Ultimately, this decision will be up to you. 

Is live music allowed at the reception? Indoor performances can take place but outdoor performances are ‘preferable’. Professional performers should make sure they adhere to the Performing Arts Guidance. Amateur choirs, bands and musicians can perform in a group of up to 6 indoors and up to 30 outdoors. 

Can there be dancing? Dancing is ‘advised against’ except for the couple’s first dance and dance floors must remain closed. Any close contact is deemed a personal choice. 

Is congregational singing allowed?  Communal singing should not take place indoors or outdoors at Step 3.

What counts as outdoors? An outdoor reception can be partially sheltered, however, 50% of the walled area must remain open. 

Can there be more than 6 guests at each table? This is down to a personal choice, but we recommend you check in with those attending, especially if some of your guests are vulnerable. 

Is confetti allowed? Confetti isn’t specifically mentioned in the guidance. However, activities such as cake cutting and game playing can take place provided appropriate measures are in place. There is much more detail within the document for specific cultural and religious features. We recommend you read up on this for more detail. 

Can we have features such as guest books and photo booths? As above, these are allowed but appropriate measures are encouraged, for example, adding multiple hand sanitisation stations.

Can we have a drinks reception? A standing drinks reception cannot take place. In line with the current guidance, food and drink must be ordered and consumed whilst seated. 

Are we allowed to stay overnight? In Step 3 of the roadmap, hotels are allowed to be open. Provided that your venue is legally allowed to be open during this step, you will be able to stay overnight.

What is next for weddings? 

We are so excited for champagne to be flowing, cakes to be cut and cheesy tunes to be pumping. The end of these restrictions is so near and we can’t wait to watch you (finally!) have your moment. We know how tough it’s been to watch your original date pass by, but your day is so close and trust us, it’ll be worth every second of the waiting. 

Here at Bridebook, we are pretty positive that restriction-free weddings will be allowed after June 21st. With the roadmap going according to plan and a strong vaccination rollout, we feel incredibly confident that you’ll be able to say “I do” in the way you dreamed of very soon. Keep your eyes peeled for new information, we promise we’ll update you as soon as we can.

Download the Bridebook iOS app here, if you haven’t already for our latest COVID updates. For Android, download the app here.

An Intimate Covid Elopement in Bristol

Brides walking down aisle with bouquets, smiling after ceremony

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Clare and Natalie were still able to plan the wedding of their dreams. Their special day was a romantic elopement at Berwick Lodge in Bristol, a year after their engagement:

“We always dreamed that our wedding day would be intimate and cosy… Covid gave us a great excuse to achieve that by eloping!”

Clare & Natalie: A Covid Elopement at Berwick Lodge
Brides outside wooden doors of Berwick Lodge, looking at each other smiling, holding hands.
Brides smiling, sitting at table toasting with champagne.

While the couple eloped just a year after their engagement, they met for the first time many years before:

“Clare was actually the one to propose, even though we’d openly chatted about it. THe day started with a mystery trip out, during which we visited various places we’d lived together… With the final stop being outside the school gates where we’d first met!”

Image of ceremony room. Pillars down aisle with ivy wrapped around, a white aisle and table at the end with two chairs
Brides outside large old building, smiling at each other with their bouquets in hand
Brides outside looking at each other, each holding white umbrellas high above their heads

Clare and Natalie started their remote wedding planning journey by searching for a venue. Since they knew exactly what they were looking for, it wasn’t long before they found the perfect place to elope:

 “We wanted a venue with plenty of character, beautiful gardens and scrummy food… A quick search on Google for “elopement weddings” during lockdown found us this gem of a place!

“The simplicity of eloping was so appealing to us and the elopement package at Berwick Lodge included everything we wanted, making it stress-free!”

Bride doing up the buttons at the back of lace blush dress of other bride
Image of wedding shoes. Two white high heels
White flowered bouquet

Finding dresses to suit the natural, elegant style they were after didn’t mean breaking the bank either. Instead of going bespoke, Clare and Natalie hit the highstreet — and ended up looking absolutely fantastic!

“We always knew we weren’t going to go for traditional white wedding dresses so hitting the high street was perfect for us. As it turns out, we were spoilt for choice so we would definitely recommend doing the same to others!”

Brides holding hands, walking down aisle holding bouquets of white flowers
Celebrant and brides standing outside. Celebrant smiling, holding clear umbrella over the happy couple
Brides walking into garden, backs of lace dresses showing

Holding beautiful bouquets of white flowers picked from Berwick Lodge‘s very own gardens, the newly married couple walked out with beaming smiles.

Brides holding hands in garden, mid dance

Clare and Natalie were thrilled with Berwick Lodge, which “provided such a beautiful backdrop for [their] photographs.” They gave special thanks to their hair and makeup artist, Maria Lucas MUA, and their photographer, Christy Blanch Photography: “We absolutely love the photos by Christy! We’re so pleased with them – they’re amazing!”

Image focused on brides, holding each other's hips and touching foreheads, with a long country road going off in the distance

So what advice do Clare and Natalie have for couples planning a wedding during a pandemic?

“Remind yourselves that it’s all about just the two of you. We found it easiest to focus solely on us and to choose the things that were important to us. Local suppliers were great as it was easy and quicker to make decisions.”

There’s one more thing Clare and Natalie would recommend to any couples in the South West (pandemic or no pandemic!):

“One big tip – choose an elopement package at Berwick Lodge!”

Brides smiling, holding hands in front of large stack of logs
Black and white picture of brides smiling, holding bouquets inside house, in front of a closed wooden door
Brides surrounded by tall, colourful flowers in a garden, touching foreheads and looking at each other
Brides holding hands facing each other outside quaint white and red-brick lodge

Clare and Natalie’s Suppliers

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