When can wedding receptions take place in Northern Ireland again?
Let's take a closer look at the new guidelines 💍
Last updated 24th May 2021
What is typically a joyous and exciting chapter in a couples relationship, has been stressful and heart-breaking for many this past year.
Couples and wedding businesses feel like they been left in limbo throughout the pandemic.
But finally we can start to see the light at the end of the 'aisle'. Stormont ministers have agreed with a series further relaxation of lockdown rules in Northern Ireland.
From May 24th we'll see the welcome return of indoor visits and hospitality!
But what does that mean for marriages and civil partnerships scheduled to take place soon?
Current government guidelines state:
- The number permitted to attend weddings and civil partnerships is to be informed by a risk assessment for the venue
- Separate households should maintain social distancing
- Guests aged 13 and over must wear a face covering during the ceremony, unless exempt. This does not apply to the couple or the person officiating.
- No restrictions on the size of top table
- Communal singing should not take place indoors - so no hymns still at a religious wedding
- There should be no live music or dancing
- Music is only allowed if it's pre-recorded and played at a background level
- One dance will be permitted for the couple
Wedding receptions will continue to look somewhat different for the next few weeks.
When we look back to Stormont's Pathway to Recovery set out in early March, we still have step four (live music) and step five (most limits removed) to look forward to.
Dive deeper into the restriction relaxations for May 24th:
May 24th
The 'stay local' messaged will be removed
May 24th
Indoor visits with will be allowed
• 6 people from no more than 2 households
• Does not include children under 12
• Can be more if household has more than 6, but not more than 10
• Overnight stays permitted
May 24th
Indoor hospitality with table service only may reopen
• The number of individuals at a table should not exceed 10
• Face coverings must be worn if you leave your table
• There should be no live music or dancing
• Social distancing should be maintained
May 24th
Resume indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue
• Social distancing
• Risk assessment to maximum capacity
• All contact details must be taken and retained
May 24th
Reopening the remainder of Tourist accommodation
• All contact details must be taken and retained
• Rooms/accommodation area booking in line with the permission re indoor domestic settings/bubbles
• Shared facilities will reopen
• Meeting rooms will be reopened - capacity will be to risk assessment maximum.
May 24th
500 spectators should be allowed allowed at sports events and inter-school sports events.
May 24th
This includes amusement arcades, bingo halls, museums, galleries and cinemas.
• Social distancing
• Risk assessment to maximum capacity
• All contact details must be taken and retained
May 24th
The resumption of post-wedding ceremony receptions or functions
• Risk assessment for capacity
• No restriction on top table
• Other tables maximum of ten (no household restriction)
• Children under 12 excluded from table numbers
• One dance permitted for the couple
• Music same as for licensed venues
May 24th
Ministers have agreed a 'green list' of countries where people can travel to without having to quarantine on their return.
June 21st
Theatres, concerts, conferences and exhibitions can reopen (risk assessed)
Read more:
Executive approves further lockdown relaxations
NI vaccine programme now open to 25-29 year olds
NI marks one million first vaccine doses