This page contains resources and information on the action being taken and the resources available to support companies which operate in the UK events industry. HAE EHA sits on the panel of the UK Weddings Taskforce who in turn represent their mebers on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Weddings. You'll find information and updates from both organisations below.
If you have any questions or wish to speak to us about these topics please contact us on 0121 380 4600 or email marketing@hae.org.uk.
The latest information and developments from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Weddings.
Updates from the panel of industry professionals who represent the interests of the weddings sector.
Updated Step 4 Wedding Guidance for England
From Monday 19th July, the rules for wedding and civil partnership ceremonies; and wedding receptions and civil partnership celebrations will change. Step 4 includes no legal restrictions on the number of people attending a wedding, civil partnership, reception or celebration. Legal requirements for social distancing will no longer apply and you will not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with.
Face coverings are no longer required by law in any setting. However, the government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.
COVID-secure rules, including table service requirements and restrictions on singing and dancing, will no longer apply. However, there are steps everyone should continue to consider to reduce the risk of transmission, which are explained in the updated guidance.
All wedding businesses should follow the principles set out in the working-safely guidance.
If someone has been instructed by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate because they have tested positive for COVID-19, or they’re the close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must still self-isolate and not attend.
Step 4 Guidance for Weddings in England can be found on the Government website.
Step 4 Event Organisers and Venue Guidance for England
New guidance for event organisers and venues in England has been updated to reflect Step 4, as from Monday 19th July. The new guidance sets out advice for event organisers and the factors to consider when planning an event. This guidance applies to indoor or outdoor events of any size, organised by businesses, charitable organisations, or public bodies. It should be considered alongside any further sector-specific guidance (such as the guidance for elite sport operations, for elite sport competitions) or guidance relevant to the event setting (such as the guidance for hospitality or accommodation facilities). Full Step 4 Event Organisers and Venue Guidance for England can be found here or download a copy of the Government’s risk assessment template here.
Outdoor Civil Wedding and Partnership Registrations to be Legalised
Outdoor civil wedding and partnership ceremonies in England and Wales are set to be legalised for the first time, offering greater choice to couples in a boost to the wedding sector.
Under current laws for approved premises such as a hotel, the legal wedding or civil partnership ceremony must take place in an approved room or permanent structure. It will now be possible for a couple to have the whole ceremony outside at such a venue.
This change will give more options to couples and the sector in terms of how they celebrate and host the big day by allowing all aspects of weddings to take place outdoors, providing greater flexibility especially during the pandemic when there are important public health considerations to take into account.
On 30th June, a statutory instrument (SI) was laid to amend the regulations and the change took effect on 1st July. This follows a commitment made in 2019 to legalise outdoor ceremonies.
Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC MP said: "A couple's wedding day is one of the most special times in their lives and this change will allow them to celebrate it the way that they want.
"At the same time, this step will support the marriage sector by providing greater choice and helping venues to meet demand for larger ceremonies."
The change will benefit almost 75% of all weddings in England and Wales that are non-religious and which take place on approved premises, along with civil partnerships.
A Law Commission report later this year will present options for further reforms which will then be considered carefully by the Government. Options they are considering include offering couples greater flexibility to form their own ceremonies, allowing the ceremony to take place in a much broader range of locations, and powers to hold weddings remotely in a national emergency.
To read the full Government guidance on outdoor marriages and civil partnerships, for England and Wales, click here.
Boris Johnson is set to make an official announcement about his exit from lockdown strategy on Monday 22nd February, which may or may not also include information about venues reopening and kickstarting events. The Prime Minister has hinted that a national approach may be a better strategy rather than regional tiers this time around. However, the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be responsible for setting their own social gathering rules and COVID-19 restrictions. Key data to inform any decisions made will be vaccine rollout, Covid infection rates, hospital admissions and mortality rates.
We Make Events Campaign Events sector urgently needs more support to survive the Covid-19 crisis
Live events around the world have been devastated, from major festivals and landmark theatres, to grassroots venues and business events. Without urgent support from the government, the entire supply chain is at risk of collapse. Join the growing collective of businesses, organisations, freelancers, and public figures who are raising awareness of the events and entertainment industry through social media, writing to the government, and planned outdoor activities with #WeMakeEvents hard-hitting campaign.
Published: 15-07-2021
