Weddings get the green light to resume

From 17th May, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will be permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-secure venues that are permitted to open. This means that there will be more opportunity for event and wedding caterers to trade.

Alternative wedding ceremonies, and weddings under the law of England and Wales that are permitted to take place outdoors, with up to 30 people, including in COVID-secure venues or private gardens.

Receptions and celebrations will be permitted to take place with up to 30 people. They can take place either indoors in a COVID-secure venue (this does not include private homes), or outdoors (which does include private gardens). Although there is no requirement to be COVID-secure in a private garden, the organiser should take all reasonable steps to limit the risks of transmission and must adhere to the gathering limit of up to 30 people. If the event is taking place outdoors, it can be partially sheltered with, for example, a marquee, provided that at least 50% of the walled area remains open.

A broader range of venues will be able to be open at this step, as set out in the roadmap. Any venue which is not required in law to remain closed will be able to host events and allow viewings with appropriate COVID-19 mitigation measures in place. This includes, for example, any restaurant or indoor visitor attraction.

Step 4 – no earlier than 21 June

At Step 4, the government aims to remove all limits on weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions. This will be subject to the outcome of the Social Distancing Review and also the Events Research Programme, which will include a series of pilots using enhanced testing approaches and other mitigations to run events of larger sizes.

The pilots have been selected to examine the risks of transmission in a range of settings, venue types, and activity types (for example, seated or not seated, indoor or outdoor) so that findings may inform thinking on the reopening of all large events.

For more detailed guidance on all aspects of weddings & civil ceremonies please read though the latest Government guidance which can be found here.