When can weddings happen and how many people can attend?
Boris Johnson has announced his roadmap out of lockdown, here's how it impacts weddings
Last updated 20th Apr 2021
Big weddings could be back by the summer according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions.
In an announcement to the House of Commons, Mr Johnson outlined the Government's lockdown exit strategy, starting with schools reopening 8 March.
Included in the plan, which highlights key dates for the easing of restrictions, is guidance for weddings which will be allowed to resume from 29 March with limited numbers.
Here are the key dates for weddings and how many guests can attend:
29 March - Weddings with six people
The first step of the lockdown easing for Weddings is likely to happen on the 29 March.
From then weddings will still be able to proceed with 6 attendees only but will no longer be limited to exceptional circumstances, which is the case now.
12 April - 15 attendees
Step two will take place from 12 April at the earliest. Weddings, receptions, and commemorative events including wakes will be able to take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open).
17 May - 30 people at weddings
17 May is the earliest date step three will take place. At this point weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events including wakes can proceed with up to 30 attendees.
A broader range of stand-alone life events will also be permitted at this step, including bar mitzvahs and christenings
21 June - all limits removed
21 June is the target date for Step 4, when all limits will be removed on weddings and other life events, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.
This is the earliest date that's possible and it could be later if infection rates start to rise again as restrictions are lifted.
Here are the earliest dates for wedding restrictions being lifted
Currently weddings can only go ahead under exceptional circumstances, however from 29 March, weddings can be attended by up to six guests.
Up to 15 guests will be able to attend weddings from 12 April.
From 17 May, weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events including wakes can proceed with up to 30 guests.
By 21 June, the Government aim to lift all remaining restrictions of social distancing, meaning the cap on guest numbers should be lifted.
Will big weddings really be going ahead in the Summer?
The Prime Minister's announcement today marked the best case scenario and the earliest possible lifting of restrictions, but it could be pushed back further if Covid rates begin to rise again.
Mr Johnson told Parliament: “The sequence will be driven by the evidence so outdoor activity will be prioritised as the best way to restore freedoms while minimising the risk.
“At every stage our decisions will be led by data not dates and subjected to four tests. First that the vaccine deployment programme continues successfully, second that evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths.
“Third that infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS and fourth that our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of Covid that cause concern.”