Article Contents:
- Current Restriction
- And so on through the levels
- (Level 3 Adjusted, hint hint, might be December 2020 level)
- Strategy – Ireland’s COVID plan
- Guidelines for Wedding Venues
- Brief History of Restrictions
- Outlook for Weddings in Ireland 2020/2021
For the foreseeable future smaller weddings look like the norm. We are looking at the complete picture as to what to expect regarding COVID restriction for weddings in Ireland. What each level of restriction means to weddings. What the government strategy is and how it impacts weddings. We also make our predictions so as to help you anticipate what might happen in the coming months and in 2021.
Outlook for Weddings – Short Term
November 2020 is currently in Level 5 Adjusted for weddings. That will not change. December 2020 will see a decision to either extend the restrictions for 1 or 2 weeks or will see Ireland move to a new Level. The Irish government is targeting Level 3, this would mean no change for weddings (25 guests and travel exception).
For a longer term outlook for weddings during COVID in Ireland see the chart at the end of the article.
Current Restrictions:
Ireland is currently operating off the framework called Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. This framework is adjust as required due to the uncertainty of each given circumstance. It Is expected that Ireland will continue to use this framework for the remainder of 2020 and the majority of 2021 (this is the 3rd plan so for so it might change in 2021 as the vaccine news develops).
Below is detailed each level in relation to weddings and any current adjustments to the original plan, particularly the wedding exceptions.
Level 5 Adjusted
Up to 25 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception, whether indoors or outdoors.
Additional restrictions as part of the Level 5 Adjusted restrictions in October and November 2020:
- Guests (ceremony and reception) – 25 (not including wedding couple and essential staff)
- Travel – guests can travel to attend wedding
- Hotel accommodation for guests – permitted for wedding couple and 25 guests only
- Baker/cake – permitted
- Photographer – permitted
- Hair and make-up services – not permitted (in any setting)
- Wedding dress shops – closed to public
- Live music/dancing – not permitted (reception fully seated)
- Novelty supplies/acts – not permitted
In October 2020, the exception for Weddings was clarified to the above rules until the end of the year. The sentiment was that wedding couples had suffered enough hardship and disappointment with the short notice changes to COVID restrictions impacting planned weddings. Therefore, at a minimum weddings with 25 guests were permitted until the 31st of December 2020. If the Level of restriction allowed for greater than 25 guests (such as in Level 2) then the more lenient restrictions would apply to weddings.
Guests travel: while under Level 5 travel in general was extremely restrictive. Wedding Guests ware completely exempt from restriction of movement. Guest can travel any distance across any border. Additionally, places of accommodation are permitted to host Wedding Guests, previously only essential workers or existing guests were permitted to stay in hotels and other accommodation facilities. Now Wedding Guest can stay too.
In terms of Services providers and activities during the wedding day, the additional restrictions to weddings are aimed at limiting high risk activities in relation to COIVD. Prolonged contact and close contact is discouraged. Dancing is not permitted; therefore, live music is not allowed. Hair and Make-up specialist are not allowed provide their service in any setting. There is a rare clarity in rules that does not permit any work around.
The reference to Novelty suppliers I believe is an attempted to prevent non traditional supplies from trying to continue to work based on the explicitly or not explicitly stated services. In terms of acts, the likes of singing waiters or side acts that would be in addition to bands or singing duos are not permitted. In terms of supplies the likes of sweet carts or selfie mirrors are not permitted.
Photographers are permitted, videographers are not mentioned but as they work in a similar capacity, it is understood that videographers are allowed.
Cakes are permitted, were other side food supplies are not permitted. The centre piece that is the Wedding Cake is granted an exception.
Florist do not get a mention, due to the nature of flowers being delivered we would understand that there would not be an outcry if flowers were still in operation. The guidelines could have done more for instance to distinguish between décor and florists. The guidelines are silent.
Level 5 Adjusted (2020) is expected to last until the end of November after which the government hopes “we will suppress this virus and we will emerge from these restrictions on the 1st December.” There may be a need to extent the deadline but as of the second week of November it is looking promising.
Level 5 (Originally)
The original National Framework document for living with COVID-19 had more stringent restrictions on weddings. The exceptions outlined above are until the end of 2020. There is no word as to whether the exceptions will be extended into 2021. There was compassion towards those who had to deal with the wedding planning upsets of 2020 but there is not a clear indication as to whether such an understanding will continue. Early 2021 would be most likely to see a similar leeway but Spring Summer 2021 may not be given such liberties.
Originally Level 5 allowed for 6 wedding guests (wedding couple plus 6 guests). This is really to permit the legality of a marriage and close family/friends, such as parents.
People in general were expected to stay at home and exercise was permitted within 5km. So the movement was very much restricted.
Only essential workers were permitted in the original Level 5 so Wedding Suppliers were not expected to be part of this.
In 2021 if there is another strong surge of the virus, Level 5 may have to be used. Unless there is a similar exception in Adjusted guidelines this would extremely limit weddings taking place (if used in 2021).
Level 4 Adjust
For the remainder of 2020 Level 4 will be as outlined in the exception in Level 5 Adjusted. Level 4 originally was more stringent than the exception allowed for November December 2020.
To be clear:
Up to 25 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception, whether indoors or outdoors.
Additional restrictions as part of the Level 5 Adjusted restrictions in October and November 2020:
- Guests (ceremony and reception) – 25 (not including wedding couple and essential staff)
- Travel – guests can travel to attend wedding
- Hotel accommodation for guests – permitted for wedding couple and 25 guests only
- Baker/cake – permitted
- Photographer – permitted
- Hair and make-up services – not permitted (in any setting)
- Wedding dress shops – closed to public
- Live music/dancing – not permitted (reception fully seated)
- Novelty supplies/acts – not permitted
Level 4 (Originally)
Up to 6 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception (irrespective of venue). Guests cannot leave their county to attend a wedding.
Originally Level 4 allowed for 6 wedding guests (wedding couple plus 6). This is really to permit the legality and close family/friends, such as parents. Though there would be the added difficultly of guests not being permitted to move across county boundaries.
Irrespective of venue, this is getting there being different number gathering rules in Level 4 for different activities. The government do not want people using a greater number activity as an excuse for your wedding gathering. They want you to stick at 6 guests (not argue for 15 people gathering because of another rule).
Essential workers are only permitted to travel to work. Wedding Suppliers would be designated workers to be permitted to work, this originally was not expected.
Level 3 Adjusted
The only piece more advantageous for Level 3 vs the 2020 exception is that guests can travel to the wedding. Travel – guests can travel to attend wedding is more lenient than the original Level 3 so there is a Level 3 Adjust for November December 2020.
Level 3
Originally and may be used in 2021:
Weddings may proceed, but with a limit of 25 guests for ceremony and reception (irrespective of venue). It will not be possible to attend a wedding in another county.
Couples resident in a particular county, but with existing plans to get married, can travel to get married outside that county.
Work is permitted in any location; suppliers may travel to work anywhere in Ireland.
The tricky bit here is guests cannot travel across county boundaries. As a result, people move venue locations to a county that most guest lived in.
Couples were permitted to travel wherever necessary to get married. This was to accommodate say people working in a different county and returning to their home county to get married.
There was some confusion over wedding suppliers, but you are allowed travel to work in a different county. Suppliers may therefore go to the wedding irrespective of location! The below video is proof:
Level 2
Up to 50 people (guests? might be a typo by Gov.ie) can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
No travel restrictions.
In July August September 2020 we saw weddings limited to 50 people in a room. This was staff, suppliers, wedding couple and guests. In the Resilience and Recovery information there seems to be typo by using the word people when there was a move to using the word guest. The one-page chart that used guest has vanished, the National Framework literature does not refer to either so we can only hope consistency prevails and the typo of people on Gov.ie is corrected to guests.
Level 1
Up to 100 people (guests? might be a typo) can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
No travel restrictions.
Ireland has not yet got to Level 1 at any point. It may only get there if there is a change in strategy by the government or a partial vaccine. Lets look at strategy next.
Strategy
So that you can understand the outlook and potential changes from week to week, we must understand the government’s strategy for COVID and Society. You can then have a mind set to manage planning a wedding in 2021 or decide that 2021 is not the year for you.
The strategy as of late 2020 is to Suppress and Re-Open, rinse and repeat, restrict and release. Effectively this strategy is an attempted to delay until a vaccine or another solution shows up. The earliest estimates for a vaccine roll out to impact society is late 2021 (that is if the vaccine is confirmed December 2020). So at the moment at it looks like a COVID Wedding management process will be used until at least September 2021 (anything can happen at any point so this could change).
If you are getting married between in 2021 you should be prepared to cope with Levels changing and restrictions changing. From the experience of 2020, it is only possible to have a reasonable estimate 2 months out. You should be able to clearly see the Level you are in now for the coming weeks and see the direction of the measures for the next month. At certain points, the timing can be that your wedding could be on the cusp of going one direction or holding firm in a level.
Guidelines for Wedding Venues
If you are planning on going for it, having your wedding during COVID. Here is what the venues have to do that will impact on your guests and your wedding.
1 Function Area
Early doors, large venues had split gatherings into 2 areas (that was really in one room). The guidelines now explicitly exclude this work around (think golfgate partitioning).
Multiple Gatherings
Large venues can have multiple gathering on site, such as in the restaurant area and in the banqueting room. There must be no intermingling (zero tolerance).
Face Coverings (Masks)
Guest should wear face coverings when arriving to the venue and when leaving their table. Receptions and dining is meant to be seated, so if not seated, guests should have masks on. We find this is not being policed but advised.
Staff will have face coverings on.
Social Distancing
2 metres distancing is to be adhered to as much as possible, some venues may find this difficult. Face coverings are to be used if distancing cannot be adhered to.
Reception – Drink and Food
Service stations are manned, with waiters serving guests. Queuing must be social distanced.
Table service is to be used as much as possible. The bar should not be open to the guests, service persons should take orders for the bar and deliver to tables.
Dining
It is advised to group people per their family or social pods, with social distancing at tables with more than one pod.
Individualised
Items in general should not be shared, individual packets or sole distribution (salt, veg, sweets, water etc).
Late night food must also be served personally, not buffet style.
Dancing
Physical distancing is expected to be observed. No grinding up against each other, no rock the boat!
This is to be policed according to the guidelines.
Curfew
Almost forgot the curfew! Currently, the service provided by the venue should stop at 11:30pm. Most venues are stopping drinks service at 11pm giving you 30 minutes to say a long good bye. Some venues are not keeping an eye on what you get up to after they stop their service.
History of Restrictions
This is not a guide for the future but helps frame your thinking:
Mid May 2020 the easing of restrictions started after the first wave in Ireland (March to April 2020).
June saw micro weddings (6-15 people). July saw small weddings (50 people).
August September 2020 saw society and business open at a reasonable level and 50 people weddings.
Mid October 2020 stricter measures were put in place and Ireland went to Level 5 for 6 weeks.
Outlook for Weddings in Ireland 2020/2021
(Table might be viewed better in landscape view, flip phone)
| Month | Target | Optimism | Warning!!! |
| Oct 2020 | Level 3 Adj | Holds | No Change |
| Dec 2020 | Level 3 Adj | Holds | Easing quickly |
| Jan 2021 | Level 3 Adj | Level 2 | Xmas Mistake? |
| Feb 2021 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Seeding Cases |
| Mar 2021 | Level 2 | Level 2 | Seeding Cases |
| Apr 2021 | Level 2 | Level 1 | 3rd Wave |
| May 2021 | Level 2 | Level 1 | 3rd Wave |
| Jun 2021 | Level 2 | Level 1 | Restrictions |
| Jul 2021 | Level 2 | Level 1 | Restrictions |
| Aug 2021 | Level 2 | Level 1 | Easing |
| Sep 2021 | Level 2 | Level 1 | Easing |
| Oct 2021 | Level 1 | Vaccine | Seeding Cases |
| Nov 2021 | Level 1 | Vaccine | Restrictions |
| Dec 2021 | Level 1 | Vaccine | Easing |
Briefly explaining the outlook chart:
As of November 2020 Level 3 Adjusted (25 guests) is the best short term outlook, I do not see that changing before February 2021.
February/March 2021 if the Christmas easing of restrictions does not backfire we should see restrictions moving to Level 2 (50 guests).
There is always a fear that when restrictions are eased it is the seeding of cases for the next wave.
If all went well, we could see Level 1 (100 guests) at some point between April and September 2021.
Staying optimistic a vaccine could be in the wild in late 2021.
Being cautious we could have a 3rd wave in Spring/Summer 2021 and restrictions pre-December 2021.
