By Lucy Caulkett-
Thousands of weddings will have to be cancelled or postponed following clarification that only weddings booked for places of worship and public buildings can take place in April.
The Weddings Taskforce, set up with the support of Government to represent the sector, have expressed disappointment, after expecting all venues to reopen from April 12 based on “widespread” interpretation of guidance published on February 24.
The taskforce revealed recent confirmation after weeks of requests that weddings and receptions are only permitted for 15 guests between April 12 and May 16 in places of worship, public buildings, locations and outdoor settings that are already permitted to open.
Engaged couples waiting to tie the not who have not booked their wedding for a place of worship, or in a public building, will have to reschedule their wedding plans. With many places of worship already booked, many couples may have to wait longer for their big day.
Sarah Haywood from the taskforce said:
“The roadmap indicated weddings and receptions could resume on 12th April. We have now discovered, not by being offered the information but by analysing the small print and repeatedly seeking clarity, that this is not the case,”
She said 70% of England’s weddings took place in licensed venues that would not be permitted to open under the rules, but that the government had failed to explain that clearly when it outlined its plan for reopening the economy in February.
A government spokesperson said: “At Step 2 – no earlier than 12 April – weddings can take place in premises that are permitted to open or where a broader exemption applies such as places of worship or hotel function suites.”
“Wedding receptions can take place outdoors only. There has been no change to this plan.
“We understand the unique significance these events hold in people’s lives but we must continue to take necessary steps to limit the transmission of the virus,” they added.