Advice for couples planning to get married

While there aren’t currently any restrictions that should cause your to panic, the covid restrictions here in the UK can change with only a days notice. I understand, the threat of changes looming over you can add stress to planning a wedding. I’ve put some advice below for you couples that are organising a wedding but worried about potential wedding restrictions.

I'm due to get married soon. What should I do?

Suppose your wedding can't safely take place or will be too different from what you wanted. I recommend postponement over cancelling it altogether.

Check for new dates with your venue and stay in regular contact with your wedding vendors; they want you to have a fantastic and safe wedding and will work with you to rearrange your day. Some of your vendors might not be available on your new date. Be open to change your plans within reason, and remember lots of other couples are in love and desperate to tie the knot just like you - things might take a little longer.

Your contract likely means you'll lose your booking fee if you change the date without checking first.

Due to the pandemic, many wedding vendors have lost significant sums of money. And they now need to do twice the work in half the time to meet their commitments to their couples! Every other vendor I know is keen to deliver and will go above and beyond to help in any way they can.

What if you paid a premium for a peak time like the August bank holiday, and you're moving your ceremony date to a traditionally quieter one? Some venues and vendors may offer you an upgrade or fee reduction if they can't give offer the equivalent date.

What if I want to cancel?

If you cancel your wedding when it could technically go ahead, you may take a financial hit. You must read your contracts to check the rules on cancellation or postponements. You should then ask your vendors what they're prepared to offer. As they are often small businesses, they will likely make a loss greater than your booking fee. This means you’re unlikely to get your deposit refunded.

Most vendors are very accommodating and will work with you to find a new date if you decide you want to postpone. You still love your partner and want to get married, right?

If I postpone, can venues and vendors charge more?

They are not allowed to profiteer from the pandemic. However, it's fair for an equivalent wedding in 2022 to cost slightly more than a 2021 wedding, because of inflation - the rise in costs over time - and to reflect an increase in supply costs. Although, most vendors I have spoken with are honouring their original price so long as couples are flexible with dates.

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Information from 2020

Roadmap out of wedding restrictions

Weddings were almost entirely banned in England at the beginning of the first national lockdown on the 23rd March 2020. Thankfully, on the 22nd February, Boris laid out his roadmap to exit lockdown restrictions. Part of his announcement included tentative dates for a gradual relaxation on rules affecting weddings. These dates will be subject to change based on the appropriate data, if you’re in any doubt, your wedding venue will be able to clarify the rules in your location.

Stage One - Complete

Starting from the 8th March 2020:

Up to six people can attend weddings in any circumstances. Three weeks later, on Monday 29th March, the stay at home rule will end, but people should stay local as much as possible. And people can meet outside, either with one other household or within the "rule of six", including in private gardens.

Stage Two - Complete

Starting from 12th April 2020:

Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place. Restaurants and pub gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outdoors, including alcohol. And UK "staycations" away from home will be permitted, with self-contained accommodation able to reopen for use by members of the same household.

Stage Three - Complete

Starting from 17th May 2020:

Up to 30 people can meet to celebrate weddings. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen to household groups.

And finally, Stage Four - Complete

Starting from 21st June 2020:

Pretty much the end of the restrictions on weddings or civil partnership ceremonies. You can hold wedding receptions or civil partnership celebrations in COVID-Secure venues, or venues such as in a garden of a private home. The number of people who can attend is in most cases determined by how many people a venue can safely accommodate, with social distancing measures in place, including guests of all ages and anyone working at the event. Some restrictions for these events will remain in place to enable them to take place safely. This includes table service requirements, face coverings, social distancing, and restrictions on dancing and singing.

Fiona & Ashley get married in front of four lucky guests on the 22nd March, one day before the lockdown

We just want to get married, our family and friends will understand!

That's excellent news! I love beautiful and intimate weddings. I believe attending a wedding is a privilege and not a right. A marriage is a bond between two people; the lack of an audience doesn't devalue it.

If you’re looking for a photographer to document your day, I’d love to show you a wedding photography service I created explicitly for awesome couples like you.

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