To ask guests to take a test

[tocancel]

Supposed to be getting married next spring, who knows if we can go ahead as planned.

Assuming we can, would you be happy to take a covid test before attending?

If it's feasible we would like to ask all guests (and pay for them) to take test pre attending.

If it's negative obviously you can't come.

Would you think that was too much of an ask / bride and groom - zilla?

I assume you mean that people will be excluded if the test is positive, not if it's negative?

In principle, I would be willing to take a test, and would feel somewhat reassured by the fact that others are doing so. Of course, it would be appropriate for the hosts to pay for it.

It's hard to tell what the situation will be next spring, though. Could be anything from a vaccine having come along to dramatically reduce the risk, to a big second/third wave causing complete lockdown.

If course you can ask.
I’d decline the invitation.

I would totally do this - think it's a fantastic idea.

I think everybody should get tested once a week or something until its out of circulation...

It's a real pandemic and has meant people have lost their livelihood and jobs, I think a test, if we can afford/get them is worthwhile!

But would you pay for things like cancelled hotel rooms new clothes etc?

When I had it done I had to brace my head against the car headrest. Eyes and nose watered afterwards. It was uncomfortable for longer than 3 seconds! Must be loads of false negatives in the stats.

It's the timing that would be the real issue as a few pp have said. If you did it much before the day of the ceremony, the test results would be out of date anyway by the time of the wedding; if you did it the night before, you risk having people who've taken time off work, bought an outfit and booked the hotel, and are standing there in front of you saying 'you mean you want to to just go home now and not come tomorrow?' So I don't think it's workable.

To look on the bright side: we could have a vaccine by spring! There could even be properly functioning contact tracing (yeah, maybe I won't hold my breath on that..) but at any rate, the situation could be quite different by then and once we've made it through the winter.

Are they not promising tests with results back in 90 minutes? If these actually happen then I can see it being much more worthwhile to ask. Although it would be pretty rubbish to get your best wedding guest frock on & then be sent home if you got a positive (that’s lighthearted before the moaners start)

I thought tests were thought to be more accurate when done when someone was symptomatic?

You're right @vanitythynameisnotwoman, I was posting without thinking that one through

It's not a split second, the throat swab takes 10 seconds and makes you gag. It's not nice and I wouldn't be happy about having one just to come to your wedding.

I would only go through the discomfort of a covid test to attend my DCs weddings, anyone else I wouldn't bother to go.

Not sure why pp are asking who would pay for the tests? I thought they were free??
I've had two and found them only very mildly uncomfortable for a couple of seconds - no drama and no pain whatsoever, so I don't see that as an issue.
Personally I wouldn't object to it in theory, but I think the major flaw is that anyone could contract covid between the test and attending the wedding, unless you expected them to self isolate for that time, which I think would definitely be unreasonable....so in practical terms I just don't think the plan wouldn't work!

I’d happily take the test. Mainly because I’d really love the two week isolation I’d assume you’d be paying for in your wedding venue to ensure that that results were valid on the day of your wedding

Yes I would have a test in order to attend a wedding that I wanted to go to. Like the OP, I've had one and it's really no big deal.

@LaPoesieEstDansLaRue

Not sure why pp are asking who would pay for the tests? I thought they were free?? I've had two and found them only very mildly uncomfortable for a couple of seconds - no drama and no pain whatsoever, so I don't see that as an issue. Personally I wouldn't object to it in theory, but I think the major flaw is that anyone could contract covid between the test and attending the wedding, unless you expected them to self isolate for that time, which I think would definitely be unreasonable....so in practical terms I just don't think the plan wouldn't work!

They’re free for people with symptoms. Using the tests for wedding guests would be a complete pisstake of the NHS

The test is free
Shocked at so much negativity
I'd happily have a test
How would you police it , show the test to get in ?

No, I wouldn’t as don’t trust the results rather than because of the test. I’d also not be attending a large gathering so wouldn’t need to test.

My son constantly has his nose and throat swabbed due to having an immune deficiency and then constantly trying to narrow down what bugs he’s got and he moans about he’s been having all his life he is now nearly 6, I have swabs done before an operation chronic neurological condition numerous surgery’s I mistakenly thought of it as a very non invasive thing and thought it was great that’s all you needed for a Covid test this thread has been eye opening to say the least!

Presumably there will be staff at the wedding, so even if a test is developed that tells you instantly if your guests are positive (it won't be developed by then very probably) then what about the waiters / minister / drivers etc?

I wouldn't come if someone asked me to have a test.

[quote tocancel]@IllustriousToad one of the immediate family is, not terminally ill but would certainly not survived covid.

Just desperately trying to find a way for them to safely attend.[/quote]
My great aunt, 89 years old with terminal bowel cancer survived covid.

I’m not someone who doesn’t believe in the seriousness of it but statements like the above are scare mongering.

LOL, no.

@tocancel

Ok thanks and interesting!

I had assumed we are going to be tested much more frequently before going about our lives in future so didn't think it was a big deal.

For what is worth, I've had one - the whole thing is less than 3 seconds and really nothing to bothered by.

If it took you less than 3 seconds then you didn’t perform the test correctly.

you could ask people to isolate/stringently distance as much as possible in the week prior.
Hahaha! Please don't embarrass yourself by trying this.

No way I'd go. I'd think you were nuts. I'm 'shocked' that anyone would even suggest something so daft and precious. I've had that sort of test for swine flu. It was very unpleasant, I made sure I fasted before hand so I couldn't spew all over the doctor who came to the house but I still gagged and dry heaved. The fuck I'd do it for a wedding.

Just elope if you're that anxious.