Updated 29th March 2021: The New UK Government Guidance on Weddings - A Hand Tailored Suit

Updated 29th March 2021: The New UK Government Guidance on Weddings

Updated 29th March 2021: On Monday, 22 February 2021, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the government will implement a roadmap to ease restrictions over the coming months following the success of “vaccinating more than 17.5 million people across the UK” with both vaccines effective against dominant strains of Covid-19.

Step One: from 29 March 

(Small Weddings of 6)

  • The “Stay at Home” order will end, but some lockdown restrictions will remain.
  • Outdoor gatherings of six people or two households will be allowed, including meeting in private gardens.
  • Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts can reopen.
  • People can take part in formally organised outdoor sports.
  • People should continue to work from home where possible.
  • Overseas travel will still be banned, except for a small number of reasons.

Step Two: from 12 April

(up to 15 people at weddings)

  • Non-essential retail will reopen such as personal care, hairdressers, nail salons, public buildings like libraries and community centres.
  • Outdoor attractions will reopen such as zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas and so on but social contact rules will still apply to prevent indoor mixing.
  • Gyms and swimming pools will reopen for use by individuals or people within households (i.e. you can’t go to the gym with a friend).
  • Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors.
  • People can meet up for a drink without ordering a “substantial meal with alcohol.”
  • There will be no curfew but customers must order, eat, and drink whilst seated.
  • Holiday lets where indoor facilities are not shared with other households can reopen.
  • Funerals can continue with up to thirty people.
  • Up to fifteen people can attend weddings, receptions, and commemorative events.
  • Weddings can go ahead again from 12 April, but only in places of worship and public buildings.
  • “Wedding receptions can take place outdoors only. There has been no change to this plan.”

Step Three: from 17 May

(up to 30 people at weddings)

  • Gatherings of over thirty people will remain illegal.
  • Most social contact rules will be lifted outdoors.
  • Outdoor performances will reopen such as outdoor theatres and outdoor cinemas.
  • Indoors “the rule of six” or two households will apply but will be under review if they can increase this number.
  • Indoor hospitality will reopen such as cinemas, soft play areas, the accommodation sector like hotels, indoor adult group sports and exercise classes.
  • Larger performances and sporting events will be allowed for venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full, whichever is lower, will be allowed.
  • Outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full, whichever is lower, will also be allowed.
  • In large outdoor seated venues where crowds can distance and spread out, up to 10,000 people can attend or one-quarter full, whichever is lower.
  • Up to thirty people can attend weddings, receptions, wakes, funerals, bat mitzvahs, christenings, and commemorative events.

Step Four: from 21 June

(restriction-free weddings may be allowed)

  • All legal limits on social contact will be removed unless guided otherwise.
  • Nightclubs can reopen.
  • Large events and performance venues can fully reopen.
  • Limits may be removed from weddings and other life events.
  • The vaccination programme is on track to give the first dose to every adult by the end of July.

The takeaways

The wedding industry will slowly be allowed to recover and, hopefully, from the end of June onwards, we will be allowed to celebrate these important life milestones.

Now’s the time to order your wedding attire in time for a smaller wedding from March to mid-June or for a larger event beyond the end of June. If you want a statement suit to turn heads or a classic suit you can pair with anything, get in touch with our talented tailoring team.