Weddings After 21st June

Guides For Brides has published an open letter to couples, detailing key points and clarifications after the latest government announcements regarding the delay of easing restrictions on 21st June 2021. You can read the full article here which contains their advice to couples, and you can see the summary below.

The key points:

• There is a requirement to take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of Covid.
• Risk assessments are needed for any wedding ceremony or reception with  30+ guests in order to document ways that risk will be minimised.
• The most significant change is to numbers. It’s not the full reopening we hoped for and many Step 3 restrictions on dancing, masks indoors, and seated meals still remain in place.

Clarification on areas causing confusion:

• While your venue must legally allow space for social distancing, it is your choice who you hug and kiss.
• Seating/table plans don’t need space for social distancing on or between tables. Restrictions to 6 people does not apply. 
• Other than the couple’s first dance, dancing is advised against and dance floors are not allowed. Dancing outside is safer, but the rules are the same as inside (it just upsets the neighbours more!). Remember, you and your venue have to take all reasonable steps to reduce risk.
• All food should be served to seated guests. If you have committed to a buffet, hog roast, canapés or a sweetie cart it doesn’t mean that you can’t have them, just that you’d have to use waiters to deliver the food to seated guests.
• When it comes to photo booths, confetti and anything else the government hasn’t thought about, look at whether it poses any increased risk. If it does, look at how you can decrease the risk and if you can’t, sadly you may need to avoid it.  Hand sanitiser can be an easy solution.

Full information on the latest official guidance can be found here on the government website.

Natasha and SamBrighton Town Hall; Oh So Social, Brighton