Junior Rasmussen
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on weddings, with thousands of ceremonies cancelled or postponed in the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson banned weddings and other large gatherings when the UK first went into lockdown on 23 March 2020. Since then, weddings have been allowed to resume, but with restrictions in place. In July 2020, small ceremonies were permitted in England, Wales, and Scotland, with up to 30 people in attendance. Northern Ireland allowed outdoor weddings of up to 10 people and indoor weddings from 10 July. As of May 2021, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies for up to 30 people are permitted in COVID-secure venues, with hopes that all limits will be removed at the next step of the government roadmap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | From 17 May 2021 |
| Number of people | 30 |
| Location | COVID-secure venues, private gardens, places of worship |
| Food and drink | Not to be consumed |
| Social distancing | Yes |
| Hand washing | Yes |
| Face coverings | Optional |
| Future plans | Government aims to remove all limits on weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding restrictions in England
On 4 July 2020, places of worship in England were allowed to reopen for private prayer, and from 4 July, wedding and civil partnership ceremonies of up to 30 people were permitted. This included all guests, the officiant, and any staff not employed by the venue, such as a photographer. Social distancing and hand washing were deemed essential, but the question of face coverings was left to places of worship to decide upon.
From 1 August 2020, the rules changed again, allowing 30 people to attend wedding receptions. Until then, the rules were the same as for any other form of socialising, with a maximum of six people outside or two households inside.
In May 2021, it was announced that from 17 May, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies would be permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-secure venues that were permitted to open. This included venues such as restaurants or indoor visitor attractions. Receptions and celebrations could also take place with up to 30 people either indoors or outdoors, including in private gardens.
The government aims to remove all limits on weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, and receptions at Step 4 of its roadmap. This will be subject to the outcome of the Social Distancing Review and the Events Research Programme, which will include pilots using enhanced testing approaches and other mitigations to run events of larger sizes.
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Wedding restrictions in Wales
As of May 2021, wedding and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted in places of worship and other "approved premises" in Wales. Regulated venues, including registry offices and hospitality businesses, are allowed to host wedding ceremonies, subject to taking all ""reasonable measures" to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Guest numbers are limited by the venue's capacity, once physical distancing measures are considered, and attendance must be by invitation only.
Indoor and outdoor receptions are also permitted, with some restrictions. For gatherings that are not regulated, the wedding reception must be held on "regulated premises", such as a cafe, restaurant, or bar, and the maximum number of attendees is 30 people, excluding children under 11, carers, and staff.
The Welsh Government is facing calls to lift restrictions on guest numbers and adopt an approach based on the actions venues can take to keep weddings safe. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has highlighted the disparity between Wales and England, where venues are preparing to fully open without guest restrictions. The financial impact of wedding restrictions in Wales is significant, with the industry generating £1.2 billion per month in a normal season.
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Wedding restrictions in Scotland
As of May 2021, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-secure venues. This includes ceremonies that take place outdoors, with up to 30 people, including in private gardens. Receptions and celebrations are also allowed, with the same limit of 30 people. However, it is unclear whether these rules apply to Scotland, as another source from the same date states that weddings are still suspended in Scotland until further notice.
In July 2020, Scotland allowed small ceremonies, advising a maximum of 20 people. Small celebrations were only allowed if physical distancing guidelines and other guidance on gatherings and meetings in hospitality venues were followed.
In Scotland, the licence to marry goes with the celebrant, so you can get married anywhere as long as you have the relevant permission. You can marry in a religious, civil, humanist, or spiritual ceremony, but the same paperwork is required for all types of weddings. Both people getting married must fill in an M10 form (or C10 for civil partnerships) and provide supporting paperwork. If you are not from the UK, you will need to complete and return a declaration of status by non-UK nationals form. You will also need to provide a certificate from your country stating that there is no legal reason why you cannot be married, and this must be given to the registrar at least 29 days before the wedding, along with your marriage notice form. If you are divorced or widowed, you can marry again in a civil ceremony.
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Wedding restrictions in Northern Ireland
On 4 June 2020, the Northern Ireland Executive announced that weddings could resume from 8 June 2020, subject to Coronavirus restrictions. Indoor weddings were permitted from 10 July, with a maximum of 30 people allowed at the ceremony.
Prior to this, weddings were only allowed to take place if one partner was terminally ill, and outdoor weddings were permitted with groups of no more than 10 people in attendance, including the couple, two witnesses, and the officiant. Social distancing rules were also in place, with attendees required to maintain a two-metre distance.
As of April 2021, Northern Ireland was under Level 5 restrictions, which allowed guests to travel outside their counties to attend weddings. Hotels and other tourist accommodations could provide accommodations for couples and up to six guests. The Irish government was in the process of updating its Living with Covid-19 plan, with restrictions for weddings expected to be eased from 10 May 2021.
In terms of wedding planning, couples are allowed to view venues with two other people and one member of staff. Social distancing, hand sanitising, and face coverings are mandatory during these viewings. For wedding receptions, social distancing guidelines must be followed, and there is a limit of up to 15 people who can gather outside the venue.
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The impact of the UK wedding ban
The UK's ban on weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the wedding industry, couples, and related businesses. The ban, which was announced on March 23, 2020, by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, resulted in thousands of weddings being postponed or cancelled. This led to a state of uncertainty and financial insecurity for many in the wedding industry, including venues, caterers, photographers, and other suppliers.
Many couples had to scramble to rearrange their weddings, with some opting for smaller ceremonies or outdoor settings once restrictions eased. The pandemic also made it difficult for couples to obtain wedding insurance, as providers suspended their services to new clients while dealing with a surge of claims. This left some couples vulnerable to financial losses if they had to cancel or postpone their weddings.
The ban on weddings also had a social and emotional impact on couples and their families. Some may have experienced disappointment, stress, and anxiety due to delayed or cancelled weddings. It also affected the format of weddings, with restrictions on the number of guests, social distancing requirements, and even rules around kissing at the altar.
The wedding industry gradually reopened, with small weddings allowed in some parts of the UK from June 2020, and up to 30 guests permitted in England from July 2020. However, the pandemic continued to disrupt wedding plans, with some couples facing multiple postponements or having to adapt their celebrations to comply with changing restrictions.
Overall, the wedding ban in the UK had far-reaching consequences, affecting the wedding industry, couples' finances and emotional well-being, and the format of weddings during the pandemic and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Weddings resumed in the UK in July 2020, with small ceremonies and a host of new rules.
From July 4, 2020, up to 30 people were allowed to gather for weddings, with social distancing and hand washing mandatory. Face coverings were left to the discretion of the venue.
As of May 2021, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-secure venues. The government aims to remove all limits on weddings at Step 4 of the roadmap, subject to the outcome of the Social Distancing Review and the Events Research Programme.
