Weddings ffs

[Sunshinesusan60]

I don't want to appear selfish. Throughout this pandemic I have followed rules. Our wedding was always planned for end of August this year, unlike so many people I haven't had to change and reschedule multiple times which I'm grateful for.

But now they are saying that restrictions are likely to go ahead for another 2-4 weeks after June 21st and my heart breaks for all those people who will miss out by a few days. At this stage even if there's a month delay it shouldn't affect us but I can see it potentially going on longer and it just takes all of the joy and excitement out of wedding planning. We have a contingency plan but our guest list would have to be slashed and our evening reception would have to be cancelled altogether. It would just ruin it.

How can the government justify large volumes of people drinking in beer gardens, hugging, shouting, but not allow unlimited weddings to restart? It's so shit for the industry and for couples who have waited so long only to be let down again.

It's like Christmas, dangling a carrot then taking it away at the last minute leaving everyone disappointed and dejected.

The BBC article about what ministers have agreed thus morning says that there has been no word about possible exemptions. So there is still hope.

For funerals too - yes you can have a memorial service later, but I think limited numbers for funerals is even worse than for weddings.

And I have also been wondering about grassroots sports as a potential exception - given the level of ministerial support for resumption of parkrun.

Fingers crossed on a number of fronts!

We've already got a mini outbreak in our town caused by a wedding. Apparently 12 out of the 30 there last week have got it, including some of the catering staff and the hairdressers have had to close for staff to isolate and now there is already a knock on effect with schools.
I feel for people who are having weddings but I can't see how they can be made safe. We are due to go to one on the 10th July that's been cancelled twice already. So far the hotel have been letting the couple keep putting it back but I wonder what the contingency plan will be this time. If they are allowed to go ahead I'll be glad for the couple but we would be going with some trepidation.
I actually work next door to the registry office and they have been doing a roaring trade. It seems to me that if you haven't got one booked already and you dont stand to lose money it is the perfect opportunity to get away with a cheap fuss free affair.

if i was a bride I would absolutely be asking everyone to do LFTs before coming. I don't think you can insist on it though, nor do I expect the government to do so.

We have to recognize that big weddings are potential super-spreader events. A huge wedding isn't necessary. It really isn't.

My DD has her wedding planned for 17 July . She decided to cut right back and so has 28 guests. Having big party later in the year. But if the rules change as suggested in the media "This means the 30-guest limit would go, with events restricted instead by the socially distanced capacity of the venue. " then she can only have 8 as the room she's having the ceremony in is only Covid safe for 10 people. I feel for her because with her own parents divorced with new partners and her fiancé in the same situation she doesn't even have room for all the parents plus best man and maid of honour. We have to wait until 6 I know but I am anxious for her. I dint want her to lose any money!

I’m getting married in August too. We deliberated & decided to just stick to 30 people. It’s far less stressful, it’s actually much easier to organise and for us, it’s getting married that’s important. We’d happily do it just ourselves to be honest 🙈 but I know it’ll be lovely with our closest family, a big celebratory meal and several of us are staying overnight so we’ll just be relaxing in the bar in the evening. A few close friends are popping along for a drink as well. Frankly, ideal.

I do feel sorry for those wanting a big party & a ‘dream’ day but perhaps look at what really is important to you. If you cannot bear to not have a really big day, that’s fine but you may have to wait. If you desperately want to be married, you can..

I hadn’t heard this SD venue thing though, we’d also bit hit by that as we’ve got a small venue. We can get married outdoors though, so we’d be out there come rain or shine I suppose!

It isn’t the “big day” I’m upset about. We were keeping it small anyway. We’ve postponed twice to avoid social distancing and mask wearing.
I’m hearing only the first dance is allowed and guests aren’t allowed to mingle. Not the day I was hoping for at all.

@Chailatteplease yeah that's not what you want is it :(

I'm still confused. Are larger weddings allowed to go ahead with some restrictions? Are these restrictions just in place until 19th July?

Yes weddings larger than 30 with social distancing are allowed, and yes only until 19th July (or I guess later date if lifting restrictions completely is postponed again).

No dancing, I just want to cry.

Yes until 19th July larger weddings are allowed but must follow social distancing and rules such as no dancing

People can dance outside. Maybe venues will be able to adapt and have a marquee or something similar?

Like hell are people going to social distance at a wedding.

It depends on how strict the venue will be.

Just read that in "gardens" the ban on dancing and mingling will be 'guidance' not law. But it will not be allowed inside venues.

I got a bit confused then. What about dancing outdoors at venues? I have a wedding in six weeks time and my friend is wondering if he can convince the hotel to put up a marquee tent outside so at least all of their guests can dance. Or is dancing outside only allowed at private weddings eg in people’s gardens?

@Lochelant

People can dance outside. Maybe venues will be able to adapt and have a marquee or something similar?

This is what I’m hoping for. Going to have to see if venue will allow us to do things outside. The money spent now feels like such a waste.

I can’t even imagine how stressful it must be for you along with all the other happy couples who just want to have their perfect day.

I feel sorry for anyone trying to arrange a wedding at the moment.

We have a wedding to go to on the 10th of July, it's a outside wedding but with no 'formal dining' it's supposed to be BBQ and pork Roast. But I don't think under guidance this can happen as it's not table service.

Unfortunately the bride has cancer and has rearrange the wedding several times, and doesn't have the luxury of rearranging again due to the place they are getting married is booked until the end of 2024.

We're having a marquee at home. And boris can get to fuck if he thinks we're not dancing.

One of the most important people in my world died because of covid and I couldn’t say goodbye or go the funeral.

But yeah - the lack of dancing is a real pain.

@Lochelant

I got a bit confused then. What about dancing outdoors at venues? I have a wedding in six weeks time and my friend is wondering if he can convince the hotel to put up a marquee tent outside so at least all of their guests can dance. Or is dancing outside only allowed at private weddings eg in people’s gardens?

Dancing outside is 'not advised' according to guidance

Who will police the not dancing? And how on earth can they say that it 'isn't advised' outside? Just seems such stupid advice and totally absolving responsibility. I can totally see how weddings are super spreader events given people drink alcohol and it's multi generational. The guidance isn't fair on people at all. Either say yes to weddings or no... it's all too vague.

I just wonder how many venues will allow it though. I know it’s only guidance not law but will venues chose to err on the side or caution and not allow it.

I was wondering this too but I’m sure I read somewhere that venues can be fined thousands of pounds if they don’t comply.