Franklin Dean
Wedding ceremonies and receptions have been allowed in Wales since July 2020, with certain restrictions in place. The rules have evolved since then, with the Welsh government allowing outdoor civil weddings in approved venues from July 2021. In September 2022, a sheep shed in Ceredigion was granted permission to be used as a wedding venue. The latest update in March 2024 states that licensed venues such as hotels can reopen for weddings and civil ceremonies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Outdoor weddings | Allowed since July 1, 2021 |
| Outdoor weddings restrictions | Certain restrictions remain, including a maximum of 6 guests per table, table service, no congregational singing, and no dancing except for the couple's first dance |
| Wedding venues | Approved venues, including hotels and sheep sheds, are allowed |
| Wedding venue capacity | Up to 30 guests indoors and 50 guests outdoors |
| Wedding receptions | Allowed in regulated premises but not in private gardens |
| Wedding reception rules | Attendees should remain seated, no dancing, social distancing, outdoor table service preferred, limit the number of guests involved in activities like cake cutting, no throwing of confetti or bouquet, and speeches should be outside or in well-ventilated areas |
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What You'll Learn
Outdoor weddings allowed in Wales from July 2021
Outdoor weddings were allowed in Wales starting July 1, 2021. Approved venues, including hotels, were permitted to host outdoor civil weddings until April 2022. Prior to this change, the law stated that approved premises needed to host ceremonies "in an approved room or permanent structure." The change was designed to allow couples to invite more guests to their weddings. Additionally, it aimed to support the wedding and hospitality industries. Certain restrictions remained in place for outdoor weddings until at least July 19, 2021. These included a maximum of six guests per table, table service for receptions, and advisories against congregational singing and dancing.
In May 2021, there were calls for wedding receptions to be allowed in private gardens in Wales, as they were in England. North Wales MS Mark Isherwood supported this, citing the UK Government's COVID-19 guidance on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. He argued that people in Wales could be trusted to follow the same guidelines as those in England.
In March 2021, it was announced that licensed venues in Wales, such as hotels, would be allowed to reopen for weddings and civil ceremonies starting the following month. This change aligned with a broader shift towards modernizing wedding regulations in the UK, with Scotland already allowing weddings in any location.
In September 2022, a sheep shed in Ceredigion, Wales, was granted permission to be used as a wedding venue. The building, part of an agricultural holding once owned by Aberystwyth University, was partly converted to host weddings. The applicants, Dyfrig and Emily Williams, successfully applied for retrospective planning permission to formalize the change of use of the shed as a wedding venue.
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Wedding receptions allowed in private gardens
As of March 2022, outdoor civil weddings and civil partnerships have been permanently legalised in Wales. This change received overwhelming support from the public, faith groups, and the wedding industry, with 96% of respondents to a government consultation backing the move. The legalisation of outdoor weddings will provide greater flexibility and choice for couples and the wedding sector.
However, there is a lack of clarity regarding wedding receptions in private gardens in Wales. While the UK Government allowed people to hold responsibly organised outdoor receptions in private gardens in England, this was not the case in Wales. North Wales MS Mark Isherwood challenged the First Minister, arguing that constituents were frustrated that organised activities, including wedding receptions, could only take place in regulated premises in Wales. He urged the Welsh Government to follow the UK Government's lead and allow responsibly organised outdoor receptions in private gardens.
In response, the Welsh Government stated that organised activities, including wedding receptions, could be arranged for up to 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors, but specified that "outdoor receptions cannot take place in private gardens" and must take place in regulated premises. This discrepancy between the rules in England and Wales caused frustration among those planning weddings in Wales, with some expressing concerns about the financial and mental health impact of having to rearrange their weddings.
While there is no explicit mention of a ban on wedding receptions in private gardens in Wales, the Welsh Government's statement indicates that they were not permitted as of May 2021. It is important to note that the information provided may not reflect the current regulations, and it is always advisable to refer to the latest government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
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Hotels allowed to reopen for weddings from March 2021
Wedding ceremonies and receptions have been impacted by COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in Wales. In 2020, wedding receptions were allowed with strict rules in place, including social distancing, table service, and limitations on activities such as dancing, cake cutting, and throwing confetti. The maximum number of guests allowed was 30, and receptions could not take place in private homes or gardens.
As of March 2021, hotels and other licensed venues in Wales were allowed to reopen for weddings and civil ceremonies. However, certain restrictions remained in place. From July 2021, outdoor civil weddings were permitted in approved venues, including hotels, until April 2022. This change was designed to allow more guests to attend while also supporting the wedding and hospitality industries.
It is worth noting that Wales has faced some criticism for its approach to wedding restrictions, with calls for private gardens to be allowed as reception venues, as was permitted in England at the time.
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Sheep shed in Ceredigion allowed to be a wedding venue
Wedding ceremonies are allowed in Wales, with certain restrictions in place. From the 1st of July 2021 until April 2022, approved venues in Wales were allowed to host outdoor civil weddings.
In recent news, a sheep shed in Ceredigion, Wales, has been granted permission to remain a wedding venue. The sheep shed, once owned by Aberystwyth University, is located at Tanygraig Farm House Tanygraig, Llanfarian, approximately three miles from Aberystwyth. Dyfrig and Emily Williams, the applicants, sought retrospective planning permission for the change of use of the shed with the help of their agent, JMS Planning and Development. The building was initially a part of an agricultural holding that was previously owned and operated by Aberystwyth University as a 'learning farm'.
The application was supported by a statement from JMS Planning, which said:
> "The proposal seeks to formalise the change of use of an existing agricultural outbuilding to a wedding venue and associated works. [...] The venue has already hosted a few weddings and has developed an excellent reputation, which is supported by the local community and local businesses many of which have benefited from the venue."
The scheme has been granted conditional approval by Ceredigion planning officers, with conditions including restrictions on amplified music. The local community council of Llanfarian raised concerns about the retrospective nature of the application and the access to the main road for wedding traffic. However, the venue is expected to bring economic benefits to the area, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
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Rules and restrictions for wedding receptions
As of July 1st, 2021, approved venues in Wales, including hotels, have been allowed to host outdoor civil wedding ceremonies. This change in law also applies to civil partnerships and is designed to allow couples to invite more guests while supporting the wedding and hospitality industries.
Wedding receptions in Wales are subject to several rules and restrictions. While there are no specific mentions of a guest limit, social distancing measures must be adhered to, and it is recommended that no more than two households are seated together. Receptions must be table service, and congregational singing and dancing are advised against. The throwing of confetti or a bouquet is also discouraged. Activities such as cake cutting should involve as few guests as possible, and speeches should preferably be held outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Additionally, amplified music may be restricted, and venues are required to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
It is important to note that these rules are subject to change and may have been updated since their implementation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, weddings are allowed in Wales. From July 1, 2021, approved venues, including hotels, were allowed to host outdoor civil weddings.
Yes, certain restrictions remain in place. For example, the maximum number of guests at each table is six, and receptions must be table service.
No, outdoor wedding receptions cannot take place in private gardens in Wales. Wedding receptions must take place in regulated premises.
