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England Weddings Update: Ceremonies *Can* Go Ahead From 12th April But No Marquees

Lucy Devine

Published 
| Last updated 

England Weddings Update: Ceremonies *Can* Go Ahead From 12th April But No Marquees

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

The government has updated guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships following confusion over England's roadmap out of lockdown and what it means for weddings.

It has now been confirmed that wedding venues can host legal ceremonies from 12th April if licensed to do so, and suppliers are not included in limits to numbers of six,15 or 30.

It has now been confirmed that wedding venues can host legal ceremonies from 12th April if licensed to do so (Credit: Unsplash)
It has now been confirmed that wedding venues can host legal ceremonies from 12th April if licensed to do so (Credit: Unsplash)

However, outdoor receptions are not permitted until 12th April, meanwhile indoor receptions are not allowed until 17th May.

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Non legal wedding ceremonies are also not permitted before 21st June. You can read the full updated guidance here.

Thousands of couples had been faced with disappointment last week, after the government clarified that weddings can go ahead from 12th April, but only in places of worship and public buildings.

Weddings can go ahead from 12th April, but only in places of worship and public buildings (Credit: Unsplash)
Weddings can go ahead from 12th April, but only in places of worship and public buildings (Credit: Unsplash)

This would have excluded 70 per cent of England's weddings which take place in licensed venues.

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Sarah Haywood, spokeswoman for Weddings Taskforce said at the time: "The roadmap indicated weddings and receptions could resume on 12th April.

"We have now discovered, not by being offered the information but by analysing the small print and repeatedly seeking clarity, that this is not the case.

"... Reasonably, people such as venues, couples, businesses, and registrars interpreted the road map announcement as wedding venues could host weddings and receptions for 15, as last year, from April 12.

The restrictions exclude 70 per cent of England's weddings which take place in licensed venues (Credit: Unsplash)
The restrictions exclude 70 per cent of England's weddings which take place in licensed venues (Credit: Unsplash)
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"That great news - headlined in Government-produced graphics - was also picked up by mainstream press and broadcasters and quoted by MPs. Government just forgot to caveat it with 'but only weddings for 15 in a very few, select places which one would not usually associate with hosting weddings'."

The updated guidance now states: "From Step 2, ceremonies may also take place in venues which are permitted to open for the purposes of providing unrestricted services.

"At Step 2, this includes: Conference centres and exhibition halls; holiday accommodation, including hotels (in a room approved for the solemnisation of marriage and formation of a civil partnerships); any purpose built wedding venue (where that is its sole purpose, and it is not also a hospitality venue or visitor attraction)."

At Step 3 (from 17th May) they added: "Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-19 Secure venues that are permitted to open.

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"Receptions can also proceed with up to 30 people in a COVID Secure indoor venue, or outdoors." The guidance added that further details for Step 3 would be updated in due course.

Amazing news for so many couples.

Topics: Life News, Wedding

Lucy Devine
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