Planning a Socially Distanced Wedding
As the government give small wedding ceremonies the go ahead, here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering a socially distanced wedding.
This isn’t something we would ever have thought we’d be talking about, but here we are!
With the government giving wedding ceremonies the green light, many couples are now considering the prospect of a socially distanced wedding. We won’t lie, things will be different and it isn’t going to be everyone’s idea of ‘the perfect day’, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering. You’ve been counting down to your wedding date for months, the vows you make are still as meaningful no matter how many people you say them in front of.
The party and celebrations can come later, but if you want to, you can begin your married life together now.
How would it work?
The current guidance says that ceremonies of up to 30 people can take place, with social distancing in place between households. This number does include witnesses, officiants and suppliers as well as you and your guests, so don’t forget to keep that in mind when considering your guest list.
Safety is obviously a key concern when planning a wedding in these circumstances. You can rest assured that The Moat House is Covid Secure. We have an extensive Covid-19 Policy in place, which all of our team have received training on. We’ve received the ‘Good to Go’ accreditation from Visit England to show we have all the necessary steps in place to ensure our team and guest’s safety. And we’ve been working with Cannock Registry Office to create a risk assessment specifically for our weddings.
On top of the policies we already have in place, which include measures such as one way systems and hand sanitiser being widely available, there are a few other measures that you should consider when it comes to your wedding:
1. Have your Ceremony Outside
At The Moat House, you have the option to make use of our outdoor Lakeside Pergola for your wedding ceremony. Ideal for summer ceremonies, the Pergola sits in front of our Grade II listed farmhouse and has plenty of space of social distancing.
2. Create a Seating Plan
In order to comply with social distancing, guests will need to be seated by household (and anyone in their bubble), with distancing in place between households. By creating a seating plan beforehand, our team can ensure households are seated 2m meters apart.
2. Consider the use Face Masks
Now we understand this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Your guests don’t have to wear face masks, but if they do, they only need to be 1m apart. It’s worth considering.
What about the rest of my wedding day?
Currently, the guidance allows for two households (and anyone in their bubble) to meet in any setting. This technically means that a reception or wedding breakfast with both sets of parents wouldn’t be possible at this stage. Not helpful, we know! However, six people, from different households, can meet outside, so perhaps consider going al fresco with your wedding breakfast plans instead!
2021 is going to be the year where it’s all about +1. All those special birthdays, anniversary’s and events that should have been celebrated this year will still be celebrate, just a year later! And your wedding party is no different. Why not hold your wedding breakfast and evening reception and even a vow renewal if you wanted to on your first anniversary?
Whether you decide to go ahead with a socially distanced wedding or to postpone your wedding altogether, our team are on hand to help you.
