The Ultimate Guide To Booking Your Post-Lockdown Wedding

The last 18 months have been a difficult time for anyone planning a wedding. There has been so much uncertainty around these precious events, and there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel. COVID-19 has forced many couples to postpone their special day or slash their guest lists to fit with government guidelines. If you are setting out on your wedding planning journey or re-planning after a changed event, the task is going to be even more challenging than ever before. From your wedding date and venue capacity, to the wedding location and travel involved, wedding planning post-lockdown is certainly different to before the pandemic. In this guide, we are sharing everything you need to know about booking your post-lockdown wedding.

Know Your Do And Don’ts

COVID guidance around weddings has been constantly changing over the last year, and knowing what you can and can’t do at your big day is vital. Yesterday the Government announced that all restrictions should be lifted on 19^th July 2021, but this is set to be officially finalised on 12^th July. If all goes to plan, there shouldn’t be any social distancing guidelines and additional wedding restrictions in place, giving you total freedom for your wedding day! However, if the last year has taught us anything it is that things can change very quickly. Some venues may choose to keep social distanced set ups for the safety of their own teams, while others might leave these decisions up to you. Make sure you know what you can and can’t do before you book your wedding, so that you have no surprises closer to the time.

Ask About Contingency Plans

Thinking about the worst case scenarios when it comes to your wedding isn’t easy and something that many couples want to avoid. However, with such uncertainty around big events it is essential that you know what to expect should the worst happen. When choosing your wedding suppliers, make sure to ask what plans they have in place for unforeseen circumstances. Bear in mind that most wedding businesses have had an extremely hard year, with many struggling to stay afloat with no income, so always be kind and understanding of their circumstances. The people who run small wedding companies, such as florists, makeup artists and cake makers, are all going to be very passionate about making your big day absolutely perfect, and they are there to work with you no matter what happens.

Location, Location, Location

While restrictions on weddings are set to be lifted in just a few short weeks, that doesn’t mean you will have complete freedom over your big day just yet. Travel could still be a problem for many, and the location of your special day will play a huge role in who is able to make it or not. If you want a grand affair with hundreds of your nearest and dearest, then you will need to pick a venue which is convenient for everyone. Destination weddings are still likely to be a stressful event, and you might find that some guests are not prepared to make long journeys post-lockdown. Try to choose a venue that is easy for everyone to reach, with excellent transport links and accommodation in case guests do want to stay the night.

Don’t Dismiss Weekdays

Thousands of couples have been forced to postpone their wedding day over the last 18 months, and this has resulted in many venues becoming fully booked on key dates for the foreseeable future. If you want to get married in 2021 or even 2022, you could easily find that your dream venue is fully booked on popular days such as Fridays and Saturdays. Keep an open mind about a weekday wedding, as it could mean you can still have your dream day without waiting.

Wedding Guidelines After 19^th July

Following yesterday’s announcement by Boris Johnson, weddings after 19^th July will not be subject to restrictions. The key points to note from this are:

• The Government will provide guidance for COVID safety as opposed to legal requirements.
• Venues and wedding couples will have freedom to make their own decisions about how they reduce the risk of a COVID outbreak at a wedding.
• All guest limit restrictions will be removed for both indoors and outdoors.
• Face coverings will no longer be a legal requirement.
• Social distancing will no longer be a legal requirement, which means dancing at weddings will be allowed.

If you are planning your perfect post-lockdown wedding, download a Wedding Brochure from The Bull today. Our beautiful event suites are ideal for weddings of all sizes, and our events team are on hand to help you navigate your wedding planning journey.