I have refrained from any updates to this since the end of June as the guidance from the Government is ever changing but in this post I will try to distill the latest Covid-19 update to reflect only the wedding and wedding reception aspects of yesterdays changes to the law covering gatherings.
As I understand it a wedding with a total of 30 people (which will have to include the two registration staff, or religious/non-religious celebrant, any photographer/videographer plus any other attendees not employed directly by the venue) can still go ahead in a Covid-secure licenced wedding venue. So for example if you were planning a wedding at a local wedding venue you could have up to 25 guests, plus the registrars, photographer and yourselves). You may also have a meal reception at the Covid-secure venue but this must be a business that operates as such. So you could still have a wedding in a church with the limited numbers and then a reception at a wedding venue. This can be for the same number of guests (no more) and must be the same guests as attended the wedding ceremony (nice try ;)!)
What you cannot now chose to do (from Monday 14th) is to have your wedding reception in a private house/garden, unless this is for only 4 guests plus yourselves
This is currently the law and enforceable. Please do not ask your wedding suppliers to go against this guidance as although the fine for you might be £100 for anyone working at the event it might result in having their business closed down, hefty fines, loss of reputation and at the very least our insurance will be invalid.
The only exception to the above would be (for example) a family of 8 who already live together.
The guidance of the 15th of August that no wedding or reception should take place in a private house/garden is (as far as I can decipher) only guidance and not legally enforceable. This will be superseded on Monday by the new legally enforceable group gathering legislation announced yesterday afternoon. Confused? you’re not alone!
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