Lucy Gratton
Lucy Gratton 24 Aug 2020

Covid regulations re numbers

We are currently sorting our wedding for October alongside the current guidelines and need help. Our venue and caterers are suggesting that because they are a licensed restaurant we can have up to 70people as long as we still follow the social distancing within the seating chart. I'm concerned that because we are a single booking and we are booked as a wedding that this still goes against the current guidelines. My main issue is if we need to use our insurance for any reason, will it be invalidated if we follow the 70 rather than 30? What would you do?

16 Comments
UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

The venue can't possibly say you can have 70 when current rules say 30? Does that mean your venue is happy to break with current guidance and potentially host an illegal event? How strange.

Contact your insurer about that but most insurance policies only cover for things like suppliers not being able to fulfil their contracts. So, I'm not sure why the number of guests would affect the validity of the policy since you don't need to state number of guests at the time of taking out the policy...

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

I would do it. I can’t see why not. As they say if it was ordinary night at restaurant they could have that many so you are all connected. Go for it and enjoy 👰🏼🤵🏻

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

I wish the government gave all venues the right to make this decision.

But no, based on the current guidelines they shouldn’t be

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

I dont see how they can say that they are allowed to do that as a wedding is a totally different thing to 70 people in a restaurant. At a wedding you will be mingling with everyone, tables will be talking with others etc. which would not happen in normal restaurant situation.. it sounds totally illegal under the current rules.. when is your wedding? It may be ok by then but thats the risk...

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

We have our wedding reception booked for 3rd oct and have been told only 30 people and no dj !

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

I work in events and the guidelines are expected from 1st October are for events to resume anyway. Personally it’s on the venue to make the decision so I think you’re totally fine.

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

We were told the same from our venue for the 22nd Oct, as it would be set up restaurant style and people would only be able to socialise in their 'bubbles'. We have however opted to only have the ceremony instead as to us the whole point is bringing people together and socialising, not for them to basically just receive a free meal and go home. So as long as your venue says it can be done and you want to do it then go for it, they wouldn't risk their licence.

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

It’s really frustrating bcos my venue are allowed only 30 guests at the wedding, but in the same room the month after there is a live band on and 30 strangers are allowed in that same room social distancing xx

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

They shouldn’t be.

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

Just follow the rules

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

Its not illegal. Venues do have the right to change thier license and allow numbers to increase if they run it like a restaurant. It is LEGAL ceremonies that are for 30 people. There are many many venues that are doing this now! Go for it!

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

If they have a restaurant licence then they are within guidelines for a restaurant providing it's the meal only and seating adheres to social distancing. Some venues have a restaurant licence either because they have previously been a restaurant or because they also operate as a restaurant.

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

Nikki Rimmer have u spoke to your venue? Maybe they will say something like this no matter what? Once sitting at a round table it will just be like being in a restaurant?!! 🤞🤞🤞

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

Our venue has said the rules in the uk may be changed on the 1st October we are due to get married on 31st October so we are waiting to see what the rules say on the first

UKbride Member 25 Aug 2020

30 people the rules

UKbride Member 25 Sep 2020

15 people is the limit now and it hasn't even been fairly debated in Parliament.

If you are as angry about it as I am and want to support fellow wedding couples, please sign this petition:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/329339

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