There’s no denying that weddings are joyful, but they also come freighted with a list of unwritten rules, which guests should obey but often breach.
Of course, during the pandemic, weddings and other significant life events, from civil partnerships to funerals, baptisms, barmitzvahs and batmitzvahs, have been governed by another, tougher but necessary, set of guidelines: downsized guest numbers, hand sanitisation after exchanging rings, fathers walking their daughters down the aisle 1 metre apart.
The good news is that last Monday (21 June) in England, many of these rules were relaxed. The advice that only 30 people could attend an event has been be lifted; the final headcount now depends on how many people the venue can safely accommodate. Meanwhile, weddings, wakes and other gatherings can be held in gardens, barns and on private land. Hen and stag parties can also take place.
However, with the Delta variant of the virus still spreading in the UK, there are a few additional rules to ensure everybody is kept safe. These range from increased air ventilation for marquees to conducting a risk assessment – don’t worry guests, this won’t be your responsibility. All the usual advice on social distancing and hygiene, such as hand washing, remains the same.
Getting together with loved ones is something many of us have craved over the past 16 months. Whether you’re celebrating as a happy couple ties the knot or saying goodbye to a dear old friend, here’s how to do it in the safest manner possible ...
Can brides and grooms still have the big wedding that they’d always planned?
Yes, but only if their venue can safely accommodate the guests. The 30-person cap on weddings and civil partnerships was lifted on 21 June, but venues will still need to do some maths, calculating how many people their space can hold in accordance with social distancing measures. This also applies to funerals and wakes.
If the event is being staged in a Covid-secure venue, such as a hotel, restaurant, church, mosque, temple or synagogue, then this venue should already be taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The event’s organisers should contact the venue manager beforehand to see how many guests can safely attend.
Do I need to wear my face mask if I’m a guest at a wedding?
The rules apply just as if you’re travelling on a train or shopping in a supermarket. Your face covering should be worn during both the ceremony and reception, except when you’re eating and drinking. The only people exempt are the newlyweds, the person officiating at the service and those with medical conditions. If you’re attending an outdoor wedding, there’s no legal requirement to wear a mask, but you may wish to do so for your own safety.
What happens if I’m attending a wedding or wake somewhere that isn’t Covid-secure, such as a private home?
If a wedding or wake is being held inside a private home or another enclosed space, then the guestlist will be limited to either six people or two households. However, if it’s a “deathbed” wedding ceremony, where one partner is terminally ill, this can be increased to 30 people.
Do outdoor weddings or wakes need to adhere to these rules too?
If a wedding or wake is taking place in the garden of a private home, a field, beach, or any other outdoor space, there’s no cap on guest numbers. However, if more than 30 people are attending, a risk assessment (see below) will need to be carried out. Social distancing measures for outside space will still apply.
The popularity of marquees at weddings throws up a conundrum: are they indoor or outdoor venues? It all comes down to the “walls” of the marquee: if two sides of the canvas are removed or rolled up, the increased ventilation this brings means that a marquee-based reception will count as being “outdoors”.
The words ‘risk assessment’ were mentioned. What does this involve and how onerous is it?
If the event takes place somewhere used for commercial or hospitality purposes, such as a hotel or restaurant, then the venue itself should have carried out a risk assessment beforehand. However, if the ceremony and reception are being hosted somewhere that isn’t Covid-secure, such as a private garden or barn, then the organiser should carry out the risk assessment themselves.
It’s a simple evaluation that starts with the organiser noting down any risks on a document. For example, do you have any vulnerable guests? The next step is to identify and implement the best actions to minimise the risk of transmission between guests, such as establishing more routes to the bathroom, increasing ventilation in the venue, or installing more hand-sanitisation areas.
If the wedding involves outside suppliers such as caterers, they’ll also need to complete a risk assessment and share it with the organiser.
Failure to conduct a risk assessment could result in a £10,000 fine.
There are few things I love more at a wedding than a good old boogie. Can I still showcase my moves?
Sadly, dancing isn’t advised because of the increased risk of transmission. Dancefloors will remain closed, with many venues likely to repurpose them for additional seating space. There is, of course, one exception: brides and grooms will be able to have their first dance together, meaning they can shimmy, samba, jitterbug or foxtrot away to their hearts’ content.
My friends have booked a band for their wedding. Will it still be able to perform?
Yes, but any bands or choirs must be limited to six members indoors. Meanwhile, because singing increases the risk of airborne transmission of Covid-19 through aerosol particles and small droplets, guests are advised not to join in singing with bands or choirs.
How are other nuptial traditions affected by the new guidance?
Wedding speeches should either be conducted outside or by using a PA system, so that the speaker doesn’t need to shout or project their voice.
Cutting the cake and playing games can still take place, but guests will need to exercise the same precautions as they would in any public place, such as wearing face coverings.
Guest books, photo booths, shared orders of service and games are permitted. However, because a number of people are likely to end up touching these objects, their usage should be minimised and hand sanitisation encouraged.
As for wedding meals, it’s table service only, with no buffets allowed.
The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners has suggested some Covid-safe ideas for weddings, such as traditional games, quiz nights, stand-up comics and outdoor sports.
What about hen or stag dos?
These can still take place. However, if taking place indoors, the numbers attending these prenuptial shindigs are capped at six people, or two households. Outdoors, no more than 30 merrymakers can attend.
Do the wedding rules apply to other events?
The numbers attending funerals and other commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings, are no longer curbed at 30 people. This extends to wakes too. However, cash charity donations are discouraged: online platforms such as JustGiving are a better idea.
What happens if I don’t obey the rules above?
If you arrange a gathering but ignore these latest rules you could face a £10,000 fine. If a couple fails to do proper risk assessment on their ceremony, then they could be hit with this £10,000 penalty too.
This advertiser content was paid for by the UK government. All together (“Let’s take the next steps safely”) is a government-backed initiative tasked with informing the UK about the Covid-19 pandemic. For more information, visit gov.uk/coronavirus
