Your wedding and Covid-19

The latest guidance, advice and legalities from the Government regarding wedding ceremonies in England, posted 29/06/2020 and effective from 04/07/2020.

To save you trawling through the .gov web pages and reading lots of superfluous guidelines I have tried to dilute the relevant current legislation and advice into some key-points for those interested and or affected by them.

>No more than 30 people can attend a ceremony, this can be in a religious building or a licensed venue but at present you cannot have just a blessing.

<This number includes the officiants (two are required for a civil wedding) and any staff who are not employed by your venue, such as photographers, videographers, and caterers who are not venue staff. (for example, if you had a photographer, a videographer and two officiants from the registrar’s office you would be able to have the two of you plus 24 guests)

<You may not sing, shout, speak loudly, play loud music or chant (this is reserved for fans of The Reds exclusively)

<People from different households should maintain the 2m social distance whenever possible.

<You may not have any post-wedding celebration Small celebrations should only take place if following social distancing guidelines – i.e. in groups of up to two households indoors, or up to 6 people from different households outdoors.

<Based on the above guidelines you can safely assume that no evening party with music and dancing will be permitted (unless you do it on a beach or in the street where it seems you could form a conga unchallenged)

I will now add a more in-depth version

The marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation:

Should only take place in COVID-19 secure environments. Where a marriage ceremony can take place legally in other places not covered by this guidance (such as outdoor weddings that are permitted under the Marriage Act), the legal restrictions on gatherings must be followed for that place

Large wedding receptions or parties after should not take place after the marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation

·         People should avoid singing, shouting, raising voices and/or playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult or that may encourage shouting. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.

·         Therefore, spoken responses during marriages or civil partnerships should also not be in a raised voice.

·         Activities such as singing, chanting, shouting and/or playing of instruments that are blown into should be specifically avoided. This is because there is a possible additional risk of infection in environments where individuals are singing or chanting as a group, and this applies even if social distancing is being observed or face coverings are used.

• Wherever possible, adhere to social distancing of at least 2 metres, or 1 meter with risk mitigation (where 2 meters is not viable), between households. For frequently used venues, mark areas using floor tape or paint to help people maintain social distance.
• People from different households should maintain social distancing between one another. This may require marriages or civil partnerships to be adapted to remove practices that would otherwise have brought people into contact with one another, unless required for the marriage or civil partnership to be legally binding. Where this is the case precautions should be put in place to minimise contact and ensure the timeframe is as short as possible.

·         Restrictions on capacity

·         For the purposes of a marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation, the number of attendees should ideally be kept to a minimum as far as possible. The lower the number of attendees, the lower the risk of spreading the virus.

·         However, we understand the unique significance that marriages and civil partnerships hold in people’s lives.

·         For this reason, up to 30 people, but no more, can attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 venue.

·         This maximum number includes all those at the ceremony, including the couple, witnesses, officiants and guests. It also includes any staff who are not employed by the venue, which may include photographers, security or caterers. It does not include staff employed by the venue.

And finally the full piece (the relevant parts), followed by a link to the article.

Key principles for planning COVID-19 secure Marriages and Civil Partnerships

During all activity linked to the marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation, all parties should adhere to social distancing guidelines. From 4 July, 2 meters or 1 meter with risk mitigation (where 2 meters is not viable), are acceptable.

From 4 July, gatherings of more than 30 people will be permitted but only in certain public places as set out in law. This will include all licensed venues where legal marriage ceremonies can take place however it is strongly advised that numbers are restricted to 30 for public health reasons.

Those operating venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines should take additional steps to ensure the safety of the public and prevent large gatherings or mass events from taking place.

The marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation:

·         Should only take place in COVID-19 secure environments. Where a marriage ceremony can take place legally in other places not covered by this guidance (such as outdoor weddings that are permitted under the Marriage Act), the legal restrictions on gatherings must be followed for that place.

·         It is advised that the ceremonies and services should be concluded in the shortest reasonable time, and limited as far as reasonably possible to the parts of the marriage or civil partnership that are required in order to be legally binding under the law of England and Wales.

·         Religious communities should therefore adapt traditional religious aspects, especially where celebrations would otherwise have taken place over a number of hours, or even days, to ensure the safety of those present and minimal spread of infection.

·         Large wedding receptions or parties after should not take place after the marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation. See restaurants and other hospitality industries guidance for further information.

·         No food or drink should be consumed as a part of the event unless required for the purposes of solemnisation.

·         Where the exchanging of rings is required or desired for the solemnisation of the marriage or the formation of the civil partnership, hands should be washed before and after. The rings should be handled by as few people as possible.

·         Where an infant is involved in proceedings a parent/guardian or member of the infant’s household should hold the infant.

Singing, Chanting and the use of musical instruments

·         People should avoid singing, shouting, raising voices and/or playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult or that may encourage shouting. This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.

·         Therefore, spoken responses during marriages or civil partnerships should also not be in a raised voice.

·         Activities such as singing, chanting, shouting and/or playing of instruments that are blown into should be specifically avoided. This is because there is a possible additional risk of infection in environments where individuals are singing or chanting as a group, and this applies even if social distancing is being observed or face coverings are used.

·         Where required for the marriage or civil partnership, only one individual should be permitted to sing or chant, and the use of plexi-glass screens should be considered to protect guests, as this will further prevent transmission and the screen can be easily cleaned.

·         We recognise the importance of communal singing in marriages or civil partnerships, and as this should not happen at this time, we suggest you consider using recordings that may be available to you.

·         You are advised only to play musical instruments that are not blown into. Organs can be played for a ceremony, as well as general maintenance, but should be cleaned thoroughly before and after use.

·         The government and the medical and scientific communities are urgently engaged in research around transmission risk and how such activities can best be managed safely, and further guidance will follow when available.

Social distancing measures

·         All individuals involved in the ceremony (including attendees, guests and officiants) should be signposted to the current stay alert and social distancing guidance and that they or members of their household should not attend the marriage or civil partnership if they are unwell with symptoms of COVID-19. If either member of the couple have symptoms of COVID-19 the ceremony should not go ahead.

·         Wherever possible, adhere to social distancing of at least 2 metres, or 1 meter with risk mitigation (where 2 meters is not viable), between households. For frequently used venues, mark areas using floor tape or paint to help people maintain social distance.

·         You should consider and set out the mitigations you will introduce in your risk assessment. These could include, for instance, avoiding any face-to-face seating by changing layouts, reducing the number of people in enclosed spaces, improving ventilation, using protective screens and face coverings, and closing non-essential social spaces, as outlined throughout this guidance.

·         People from different households should maintain social distancing between one another. This may require marriages or civil partnerships to be adapted to remove practices that would otherwise have brought people into contact with one another, unless required for the marriage or civil partnership to be legally binding. Where this is the case precautions should be put in place to minimise contact and ensure the timeframe is as short as possible.

·         Visitors should avoid touching property belonging to others, such as shoes which, if removed, should be placed and collected by their owner while adhering to social distancing principles

Handling objects and communal resources

·         Venue managers should take steps to prevent visitors from touching or kissing devotional and other objects that are handled communally. Where shared items are required for the solemnisation of the marriage or the formation of the civil partnership, hands should be washed before and after. The items should be handled by as few people as possible. Barriers or clear signage should be put in place where necessary.

·         Books, reusable and communal resources such as service sheets, prayer mats, or devotional material should be removed from use. Single use alternatives can be provided as long as they are removed by the attendee. Items owned by individuals for use in the ceremony or registration (such as a prayer mat or religious text, a pen for the signing of the register) may be brought in but should be removed after the marriage or civil partnership.

·         Where possible, venue managers should discourage cash donations and continue to use online giving resources where possible minimising contact around transactions. Regular cleaning and hygiene should be maintained and gloves worn to handle cash.

·         Restrictions on capacity

·         For the purposes of a marriage ceremony or civil partnership formation, the number of attendees should ideally be kept to a minimum as far as possible. The lower the number of attendees, the lower the risk of spreading the virus.

·         However, we understand the unique significance that marriages and civil partnerships hold in people’s lives.

·         For this reason, up to 30 people, but no more, can attend a marriage or civil partnership, where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 venue.

·         This maximum number includes all those at the ceremony, including the couple, witnesses, officiants and guests. It also includes any staff who are not employed by the venue, which may include photographers, security or caterers. It does not include staff employed by the venue.

·         Strict adherence to social distancing is strongly advised (see above for social distancing measures). A distance of 2 metres should be kept wherever possible.

·         Individuals aged 70 years and over

·         Certain groups of people may be at increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19, including people who are aged 70 or older, regardless of medical conditions.

·         Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.

·         You should consider informing these groups in particular of the symptoms of COVID-19 and current stay alert and social distancing guidance.

·         Individuals who are extremely clinically vulnerable/shielding

·         The NHS has written to around 2.2. million who are considered to be extremely clinically vulnerable to coronavirus, advising them to shield. See the current guidance for this group.

·         Young People and children

·         Parents or guardians should ensure children maintain social distancing and frequently wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap and dry them thoroughly or use hand sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered.

·         Any shared facilities for children, such as play corners, soft furnishings, soft toys and toys that are hard to clean, should be removed and/or put out of service. Outdoor playgrounds are permitted to open where venue managers risk assess that it is safe to do so. Particular attention should be paid to cleaning frequently touched surfaces by children and those that are at child height.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/covid-19-guidance-for-small-marriages-and-civil-partnerships?fbclid=IwAR3L4sbTsAat8HzVpyoDEVOTH6-42Y8-yYKlepcTs9WkL8udkYAgQtSlrAo

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