To think attending this wedding is a bad idea

[frillyfarmer]

Friends' wedding was postponed in May due to Covid, rearranged for end October.

I'd just sort of assumed with the general shitstorm of Covid, and with the laws surrounding gatherings of more than 30 people, this would be postponed again, but we received an email today confirming they are still going ahead.

The church service will be just them and immediate family, as per the rules. The reception is to be held privately (they're landowners) for 160 people. All of our friends are going - they're really looking forwards to a good kick back and a party after months of us not seeing one another.

I feel like we will be missing out on all the fun but I just don't think I can feel comfortable breaking the rules like that, especially considering the fines for attending illegal gatherings.

My husband has said he is happy to either go or not go depending on what I think. We are low risk, healthy in our 30s leading very isolated lifestyle by design as we're farmers. I'm a SAHM to two preschool aged children. My biggest concern is ending up on the front of the daily mail like the house parties in Manchester...

Would you go?

Nope

I wouldn't go. My husband is insulin dependant and has a heart defect.
There would be too many people there.

No. I don’t mind applying common sense to the rules and not sticking strictly by the letter of them, so would happily go if it was 50 people and appropriate social distancing in place / mainly outdoors. But 160 indoors is really taking the piss and also a huge risk both for people’s health and for getting fined.

I have every sympathy with the couple but I don’t think this is the right answer.

Think by you asking this question you know the answer. I do not think it is right hosting an event against guidelines as a result should not go.
Not fair putting guests under pressure to break rules

I'd go.
I wouldn't go to the cinema though.

How would you manage the farm if one or both of you caught covid and ended up in bed for a week? Has that been discussed at all?

JoeCalFuckingZaghe
^
This

Wow

Oh ffs go

No way!

The fact that it's in a marquee is totally different to being in a large open air space. A marquee will be alot more enclosed and distancing much harder

I don't think I'd go, I don't like weddings anyway. Forget being in close contact with a load of drunk strangers barging into each other. Leave them to it

Hell no! And I agree that it is incredibly selfish and stupid of the couple to do this.

I'd bet it would get shut down anyway. Either someone invited will grass them up or it'll be (rightly) reported while it's going on by someone in the village.

By October cases may have increased and that will mean the police being hot on closing down illegal gatherings. They've already ramped up closing parties, raves and big get togethers over the past few weeks.

It's totally irresponsible and I'd actually think less of the bride and groom for arranging it as well.

And I'm not someone who has locked themself inside since March - I just don't think a gathering of that many people is sensible.

It puts every single wedding supplier in a predicament because insurance companies are saying public liability insurance is invalid if you knowingly work a wedding where the guidelines aren't being adhered to.

Plus, many wedding suppliers will feel compelled to work a wedding like this knowing their insurance is invalid and knowing they are risking their own health and the health of the families because they desperately need the money.

I say this as a wedding supplier who has lost approximately 9 months of business and who probably won't be able to work until next year thanks to people breaking the rules and preventing our industry from opening back up fully.

End of October ? I would be tempted to say yes to the invite and see what the lie of the land is nearer the time, the rules may change one way or another and if they don't, a bout of D&V in the children would understandably prevent you attending.

No, I wouldn't go. I'd also think a lot less of this couple for arranging this. How will they feel if their need for an illegal party does actually result in any of their friends and family getting sick?

No.
I imagine we will be reading about the fallout from that gathering, I wonder if it will make the 10 o’clock news.

Pretty sure you cant be fined if on private land. My friend had a big group of us camp on her land for her 30th and the police were called, they came and said that we're all distanced and on private land and were annoyed that their time was wasted

You won't be the only ones who don't go

No. Don't go.

Of course the police can take action on private land What sort of land do you think pubs are on? Oh and the illegal raves in fields etc?

One phone call and they will of course shut down a wedding reception on private land with 160 people.

This sounds weirdly similar to another wedding I know going ahead but in September. Farmers too. It surprised me really.

No I wouldnt go if I were you. I think I had covid back in the spring and lost my sense of smell early April. That was pretty much the only symptom but it hasn't come back anything like fullŷ and what little I can smell is often horribly distorted, just burnt chemicals or stale fish. Ughh. No one's wedding is worth it sorry.

You are not being precious OP

OP, this thread is absolute DM catnip.

I would go