Deborah Chan
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many wedding plans, with couples forced to postpone or cancel their big day. However, as countries ease lockdown restrictions, there is a glimmer of hope for those looking to tie the knot. In England, wedding ceremonies were allowed to resume from July 4, 2020, with a maximum of 30 attendees, including the couple, officiants, guests, photographers, security, and caterers. Social distancing and other safety measures were implemented to reduce the risk of transmission. As of August 1, 2020, wedding receptions could also take place with up to 30 guests. While this marked a positive step, it was still a far cry from the grand celebrations many couples had envisioned. With restrictions on guest numbers and rituals, the wedding industry faced significant challenges. In 2021, the situation remained uncertain, with only six guests permitted when restrictions eased. However, the UK Prime Minister expressed hope that by summer 2021, weddings could resume without limitations. This offered a ray of optimism for couples, the wedding industry, and all those eagerly awaiting a return to normality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 4 July 2020 |
| Number of attendees allowed | 30 |
| Requirements | Social distancing, no singing, no shouting, no raising voices, and no music that makes normal conversation difficult |
| Other | Wedding venue managers must keep a record of all attendees for 21 days after the wedding |
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Wedding guest limits
In 2021, wedding guest limits were again impacted by lockdown measures. In February 2021, wedding ceremonies were restricted to just six guests. By April 2021, this limit was raised to 15 guests, and from May 2021, weddings could proceed with up to 30 attendees. The UK government aimed to remove all limits on weddings by 21 June 2021, but this was subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.
While the UK has experienced limitations on wedding guest numbers, other countries have had very different experiences. In India, for example, large weddings are the norm. The average Indian wedding has around 310 guests, but some weddings have been known to host 50,000 guests or more. In comparison, a typical US wedding includes about 116 guests.
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Social distancing
To enable social distancing, wedding venues had to complete a risk assessment and implement safety measures to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This included guidance on washing rituals, with ablutions preferably performed before arriving at the venue and small splashes allowed during ceremonies but full immersion avoided. Rituals involving touching or kissing objects were not permitted, and books, service sheets, and prayer mats were removed.
Singing, shouting, and playing loud music were discouraged due to the increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets. The use of blown instruments was prohibited, but other instruments were allowed if cleaned. Where singing was required, plexiglass screens were recommended to protect guests, and pre-recorded music was suggested for communal singing.
The UK government advised keeping ceremonies as short as reasonably possible and limiting them to legally binding components to reduce the duration of close contact. Brides could be escorted down the aisle, but not arm-in-arm unless by someone from the same household. Escorts could walk side-by-side, maintaining a one-meter distance.
In February 2021, restrictions were tightened again, with weddings limited to six guests. By April 2021, this had increased to 15 guests, with a further easing to 30 attendees from May 17. The government's aim was to remove all limits on weddings by June 21, 2021, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.
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Hygiene measures
- Managers at the wedding venue must keep a record of all attendees for 21 days after the wedding. This enables contact tracing if anyone experiences COVID-19 symptoms.
- Risk assessments must be conducted, taking into account the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Failure to do so may result in serious fines or imprisonment for breaching health and safety legislation.
- Washing facilities at the venue should be provided and used in line with social distancing guidelines.
- Religious communities should adapt traditional rituals that involve water or touching objects to reduce the risk of infection. For example, small splashes of water on the body are allowed, but full immersion and kissing objects should be avoided.
- If singing is required, only one individual should sing or chant, and plexiglass screens should protect them from guests. Communal singing should be replaced with recordings.
- Venues should ensure that musical instruments are kept clean. Instruments that are blown into should be avoided due to the potential increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.
- Guests should perform washing or ablution rituals before arriving at the venue, wherever possible.
- Guests should refrain from washing the body parts of others and avoid rituals that involve touching or kissing objects.
These measures aim to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and ensure the safety of all attendees. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by local health authorities and adapt traditional wedding practices to prioritize the well-being of everyone involved.
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Wedding rituals
A common ritual in a Korean wedding ceremony is the "paebaek", or date kiss. The couple bites into a single date, and whoever gets the pit will supposedly have their wish granted. The "jumping the broom" ritual originated in the early 19th century when enslaved African Americans were not allowed to formally marry. Instead, they would jump over a broom together to symbolise a "brushing away" of the past and a new beginning.
Many rituals centre around the theme of togetherness and unity. A wine ritual, for example, involves couples drinking wine from the same cup or pouring two types of wine into one glass before sharing. Similarly, a candle-lighting ritual involves lighting a common candle, or "Unity candle", from two individual candles, representing their union. A sand-pouring ritual is a variation of this, where couples pour sand from two individual containers into a single vase, sometimes using sand from beaches that are special to them.
Other rituals include the ring-warming ritual, where the wedding rings are passed around the congregation to be "warmed" by the guests, who can say a silent prayer or set an intention for the couple. The wine box ritual involves couples selecting a special bottle of wine to put in a box during the ceremony, to be opened and drunk on a special anniversary.
During the coronavirus pandemic, wedding rituals had to be adapted to comply with social distancing guidelines and hygiene measures. For example, rituals involving water were restricted to small splashes, and rituals requiring objects to be touched or kissed were not allowed.
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Wedding venues
In February 2021, lockdown restrictions in England were eased, allowing weddings to resume with a maximum of six guests. From April 12, this increased to 15 guests, and from May 17, up to 30 attendees were permitted once again. The UK government aimed to remove all limits on weddings by June 21, 2021, subject to a review of the scientific Events Research Programme.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding ceremonies have been allowed to take place from 4 July 2020, with limited circumstances and social distancing measures in place.
Wedding ceremonies are allowed with a maximum of 30 guests, including the couple, officiants, guests, photographers, security and caterers. From 1 August 2020, up to 30 people will be allowed to attend a wedding reception after the ceremony.
Managers at the wedding venue are required to keep a record of all attendees for 21 days, so they can be contacted by the NHS test and trace service. Religious communities should adapt traditional aspects of the service where celebrations would otherwise take place over a number of hours or days. Singing, shouting, and playing loud music should be avoided, and rituals that require objects to be touched or kissed should not take place.
The UK government aims to remove all limits on weddings by 21 June 2021, at the earliest, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.
