The pandemic has been a deeply frustrating and upsetting time for those trying to organise weddings.
Lockdowns and fire-breaks have meant that ceremonies – and particularly receptions – have been greatly restricted or halted entirely.
But on Friday First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that the number of people who can attend these occasions will increase now that the infection rate across Wales has dropped.
From Monday, April 26, wedding receptions can be held outdoors at regulated premises for up to 30 people.
And from Monday, May 17, he said he "anticipates" that the number of people at wedding receptions will rise to 30 people indoors and 50 outdoors. However this is a decision for the next Welsh Government to make following the Senedd elections on May 6.
The rules around wedding receptions have fallen under the hospitality bracket as alcohol and food are served in close quarters.
Similarly funerals and wakes will follow the same guidance as weddings.
Speaking on Friday about the hospitality sector, Mr Drakeford said: "I want the many thousands of businesses in these sectors to have these dates today so they have as much notice as possible to plan ahead and prepare.
"A further £200m will immediately be available to the next government to support businesses which continue to be affected by the pandemic and the restrictions.
"The changes we have introduced so far and the proposals I have laid out today bring us another big step closer to the lives we lived before this pandemic.
"Everyone wants this pandemic to be over so we can all get on with our lives and plan for a better future."
The all-Wales figure for infection rates is now 14.7 cases per 100,000 people. Three weeks ago the figure was 35. There are 14 local authority areas with rates below 15 cases per 100,000 people and the testing positivity rate is 1.7%.
Mr Drakeford added: "The continuing decline in coronavirus is the result of all your hard work – you have been keeping Wales safe as restrictions have been relaxed, as children have gone back to school, and as shops and businesses have begun to trade once again.
"The pressure on our NHS is continuing to ease as the number of people needing hospital treatment for the virus has fallen to the lowest level since mid-September. Indeed the number of people in hospital for coronavirus-related reasons has more than halved in the last three weeks."
The Welsh Government also confirmed on Thursday night that exercise classes will be able to resume indoors at gyms from May 3 as well as swimming lessons.
Indoor supervised activities, such as children's classes, will also be able resume on May 3, which is two weeks earlier than planned, and community centres will be allowed to re-open.
All of these activities had been due to be allowed again from May 17 but will now be allowed from May 3. Soft play centres are still scheduled to re-open on May 17.
The Welsh Government said that relaxing all of these restrictions would mean that Wales would be fully in what it describes as the alert level three category by May 3 – two weeks earlier than expected.
