As if the past 12 months haven’t been stressful enough more confusion emerged yesterday (16 March 2021) over the interpretation of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, specifically when it comes to weddings and wedding receptions.
The UK Weddings Taskforce – a group set up with the government to help restart the industry – said it expected all wedding venues in England would be allowed to reopen when ceremonies are permitted again on 12 April 2021.
Accordingly, couples – and indeed the wedding industry – had been excitedly preparing for the return of micro weddings: ceremonies and wedding receptions of up to 15, the likes of which we saw briefly in autumn last year.
Wishful Thinking
However, it has now emerged that that isn’t quite what the government meant. It seems that the majority of licenced wedding venues won’t be allowed to open for business. The relaxation of restrictions between 12 April and 16 May only applies to places of worship, public buildings, locations and outdoor settings that are allowed to open.
“A couple could technically get married in a zoo, but not in a Covid-safe, purpose-built wedding venue,” said weddings taskforce spokeswoman Sarah Haywood.
We’re very confused.
Lack of Clarity
In theory, couples could get married at an outdoor attraction (although, they would be required to do the ‘legal’ bit inside) – and have outdoor wedding receptions. But they couldn’t do the same thing at a licenced wedding venue.
And adding to the confusion is:
- the absence of specific reference in the government’s roadmap document to the opening of licenced wedding venues
- lack of clarity about the situation from 17 May 2021 onwards (see below). Can, for example, wedding receptions be indoors?
- lack of certainty about large weddings after 21 June 2021 (see below). Could numbers be limited and social distancing requirements be necessary?
We thought, perhaps, that Norfolk County Council’s ‘book a registrar’ service may shed some light on the situation, but the relevant page was today ‘unavailable due to a system upgrade.’
Our hearts bleed for the couples out there whose plans have had to change so many times. Was it simply a case of too much wishful thinking and everyone skipping over the small print? If so, then surely the government’s approved taskforce would have made matters clear?
Enough is Enough
Weddings taskforce spokeswoman Sarah Haywood said: “Reasonably, people such as venues, couples, businesses, and registrars interpreted the road map announcement as wedding venues could host weddings and receptions for 15, as last year, from April 12.
“That great news – headlined in government-produced graphics – was also picked up by mainstream press and broadcasters and quoted by MPs. Government just forgot to caveat it with ‘but only weddings for 15 in a very few, select places which one would not usually associate with hosting weddings’.”
With an estimated 7,000 couples affected by this latest twist, we wonder how much more the industry can take?
What does the government roadmap say about weddings and wedding receptions?
17 May: At this step, weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events including wakes can proceed with up to 30 attendees. A broader range of stand-alone life events will also be permitted at this step, including bar mitzvahs and christenings.
21 June: DCMS and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have been working with representatives from industry and civil society to explore when and how events with larger crowd sizes, less social distancing or in settings where transmission is more likely (i.e. indoors), will be able to return safely. This includes sports events, music festivals and large weddings and conferences.
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Useful links:
https://www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/wedding-ideas/weddings-after-lockdown-in-2021/
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