Weddings based on venue capacity

The number of people allowed to attend wedding ceremonies and receptions should be based on the venue capacity and the ability of the venue to promote social distancing NOT an arbitrary number of 20 when often venues are designed to accommodate hundreds of people and could easily accommodate 50 or more with social distancing. Venues should have autonomy to risk assess this and couples and guests should be allowed to decide for themselves what risks they feel comfortable taking. Most people would feel much more comfortable socialising in a Covid secure wedding reception with family and people they know rather than going to pubs and restaurants with multiple strangers. Also the rules on this should not be constantly Changed because couples and businesses cannot plan and it is having a detrimental impact for both.

Why the contribution is important

Weddings are fundamental aspect of so many cultures and they have been disproportionately restricted for too long now especially given that the hospitality sector has re-opened. The arbitrary limit of 20 people for a wedding ceremony (which includes staff like photographers and also children’s) makes planning for couples almost impossible and leaves weddings financially non viable for many businesses. It’s crazy that people can go to the pub with potentially 100’s of people but they can’t sit down for a meal after their wedding with their immediate family members in most cases. Weddings can so so so easily be tracked and traced- much more so than pubs and restaurants .

by LauraPaton on October 05, 2020 at 10:14PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 62 votes

Comments

  • Posted by WAW2020 October 06, 2020 at 10:35

    You are asking us to support you, we are asking you to support us. Stop driving couples abroad where they are able to safely have a wedding with more people, this is affecting us emotionally, financially, personally. What about the revenue to the economy, small and large business’ not viable in this climate. Weddings can go ahead in a safe and secure way, just look at how other countries can safely manage this, tests could be done prior, track and trace is now showing to work and be reliable and should be utilised. Venues can accommodate more than 20 people and should be able to for weddings without putting them anywhere near maximum capacity and keep to the current guidelines. Why not publish the science behind, why there can be no background music to an acceptable level, there is so many questions that are unanswered. If you can’t increase capacity, based on testing, tracing and adhering to guidelines then publish the scientific reasons behind it. This is an excruciatingly painful experience and times we are living in. Let’s stop reacting and start being pro active in our approach. This can be done safely and strike a balance - please.

  • Posted by Robboshef October 06, 2020 at 10:48

    Completely echo this. At a wedding, every single person is known by almost every other person. Logically this has to be as ‘covid safe’ an environment as there is at the moment, whilst also helping industries to rebuild and going some way to facilitating a sense of normality.

  • Posted by FayeJT October 06, 2020 at 11:00

    Definitely agree! I posted exactly the same thing. See the UK gov petition on the same subject, nearly 100,000 signatures so far! https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/329339

  • Posted by Matilda October 06, 2020 at 11:12

    It makes no sense for a wedding to be limited to 20 guests in a room which safely holds 50+ guests with all social distancing guidelines adhered to. Follow the same rules as a restaurants - rule of 6 from 2 for each table and masks for moving around the venue. No masks for bride & groom during ceremony. Hand sanitising stations, track & trace details taken. It would work just as well as any other hospitality setting!?

  • Posted by Adamhyslop22021 October 06, 2020 at 14:22

    I agree with all comments. Wedding numbers should be increased to the venues that can adhere to social distancing

  • Posted by dp1986 October 06, 2020 at 19:40

    Great idea, capacity should be restricted by the venue's ability to safely accommodate. The continued curtailment of weddings is not only impacting couples but risking the future of many small businesses.

  • Posted by Jenmcg84 October 06, 2020 at 22:09

    This is a vital change not only for couples but for all those working in the wedding industry. Venues can and will ensure adherence to the restrictions in order to be able to operate sensibly in accordance with venue size. Understandaby, this may not previously have been a government priority, however, as restriction look set to continue for the foreseeable future it is now essential that the government address this.

  • Posted by KatieFarrell85 October 06, 2020 at 22:17

    Completely agree. Safe social distancing completely possible in larger venues and format of event lends itself to being able to track and trace. 20 seems like a very arbitrary number and could easily be increased based on venue capacity.

  • Posted by Kirstystewart October 07, 2020 at 11:56

    This is a great idea! My venue is currently still open for meals and overnight stays so is operating at a higher capacity anyway

  • Posted by maren October 07, 2020 at 22:27

    Agree that wedding guest numbers should be based on the social distancing that can be enforced at the venue (just like a restaurant). Hope this idea gets tabled! It would make such a difference to people’s big day.

  • Posted by ZoeW October 08, 2020 at 03:15

    The rules in Scotland around weddings seem unnecessarily harsh and frustratingly inconsistent with what is allowed in other circumstances. Couples want to get on with their lives and to mark the momentous occasion simply by having some background music or sitting down to eat with relatives seems like a reasonable request. Trust venues and couples to apply guidelines to their circumstances.

  • Posted by Lisa07 October 10, 2020 at 08:27

    This has a knock on effect on us all, there will be no suppliers left if this carries on into next year.

  • Posted by Nicolam147 October 10, 2020 at 12:25

    100% Agree. So many wedding venues are already set up to safely accommodate much more than 20 guests. If I can go to work in an office with 50 other people, sit in a restaurant with 60 other people, why is a celebration between families any different? Also, the rules on music I feel should be relaxed for at least the first dance for the couple. These small things are what are important on the big day.

  • Posted by SarahM October 10, 2020 at 14:15

    This virus isn’t going to disappear quickly - this is the new normal. We need to start being able to live life again in a safe way and I believe a wedding of more than 20 should be allowed providing all risk assessments are complete & adhere with (spacing, distancing, masks, hand hygiene, temperature check, track and trace etc). If you can dine in a restaurant or go to a cinema/sports event with more than 18 other unknown people you should be allowed the same privilege at your wedding, where venue is able. Weddings are such important occasions, they must be supported.

  • Posted by MichelleEdwards October 11, 2020 at 03:23

    Totally agree with this idea. Wedding venues are expert at running events. They are capable of implementing social distancing and hygiene guidelines just as well as a local pub or restaurant. Yet the pubs and restaurants don't have a random max number of guests imposed on them, they are trusted to make the calculation themselves. I'm sure wedding venues, some of which are used to hosting and handling 100+ people at a time, are just as capable of providing a Covid-safe environment. Wedding events should be based on the venue's specific risk assessment and guidance the government provide to design spacing and guest numbers.

  • Posted by JAWC October 11, 2020 at 15:23

    Clearly a venue that can normally facilitate hundreds of people can also facilitate a safe reduced capacity of more than 20 people. I’ve just got back from a Sunday roast, where the pub had circa 70 people, all of which were seated safely and COVID secure, so why wedding venues are not being provided with this confidence in their operations doesn’t make logical sense, especially in a time when the Government want people to be spending to assist with the economy’s survival.

  • Posted by Embrej October 11, 2020 at 16:43

    100% agree with LauraPaton gyms indoor classes allow more ppl. Go to ikea on weekend and you will see 10000 of ppl not carrying much. Save 2020 weddings
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