The UK is currently experiencing a public health emergency as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is in a national lockdown.
Marriages and civil partnerships are a vital part of our society, the government has set out a roadmap to see us out of the current lockdown. Please see below what this means for Weddings in 2021.
Step 1 – up to 29 March
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies of 6 can take place but these should only be in exceptional circumstances.
Receptions are not permitted.
From 29 March
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies can continue to take place for up to 6 people only but will no longer be limited to exceptional circumstances.
Receptions are not permitted. However, small gatherings can take place in line with social contact limits. Therefore, they may take place outdoors in a group of six, or two households (including support bubbles, if eligible to form one).
Step 2 – no earlier than 12 April
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 15 people in COVID-19 Secure venues that are permitted to open or where a broader exemption applies.
Receptions can take place with up to 15 people in the form of a sit down meal and in any COVID-19 Secure outdoor venue that is permitted to open. Such receptions must not take place in people’s private gardens or public outdoor spaces.
Step 3 – no earlier than 17 May
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are permitted for up to 30 people in COVID-19 Secure venues that are permitted to open.
Receptions can also proceed with up to 30 people in a COVID Secure indoor venue, or outdoors.
Further details on receptions at this Step will be updated in due course.
Step 4 – no earlier than 21 June
At Step 4, the government aims to remove all limits on weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and receptions. This will be subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme, which will include a series of pilots using enhanced testing approaches and other measures to run events of larger sizes.
At each step
- anyone working is not included in the limit for ceremonies or receptions
- weddings and civil partnership ceremonies, and receptions, can only take place in venues that are permitted to be open at each Step.
