2021 Weddings and COVID-19 – The Recovery Schedule

Article updated on June 18, 2021

The great news this week is the long-awaited resumption of weddings. A very gradual restart starting Wednesday, May 19, with restrictions being lifted in stages.

While this prospect is heartening, the reopening schedule is not without its constraints. Those getting married in May and June 2021 will have to adapt again. Weariness is setting in, but the wild hope of a milder summer is on everyone's minds.

To decipher this sanitary protocol which will end (we hope!) on June 30, 2021, we suggest you take stock of the provisions to be respected for weddings in May and June 2021. These national measures could be tempered by "emergency brakes" in territories where the virus is circulating too much.

Special thanks to theUPSE, Union of Solidarity Professionals in Events, which has been working with the government for a year and provides real mutual assistance to wedding professionals.

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

2021 Weddings and COVID-19 – The Recovery Schedule

2021 Weddings and COVID-19 – The Recovery Schedule

Preamble

• Generally, Wedding parties should be held in outdoor spaces as much as possible, and respect the curfew times and protocols in force when they take place in establishments receiving the public rented for this purpose.
• Providers and guests must carry out a virological test (RT-PCR, antigenic or self-test) before and as close as possible to the celebration, to limit the risk, and 7 days after the latter. A negative test result should in no case lead to a relaxation of health rules. Maintaining the barrier gestures and measures described in this protocol must be respected in order to limit the risk of transmission of the virus.
• Each company involved is responsible for implementing and complying with the protocole relevant to its activity. With regard to the “catering” service, the dedicated protocol applies.
• Each service provider, during the performance of their service, must regularly remind guests present of the health regulations when necessary. Failure by guests to comply with these rules will result in the service being terminated..

From May 19 to June 8, 2021

The wedding ceremony

• Civil Ceremony : reception at the town hall will be limited to one chair out of 3 and a staggered arrangement for each row.
• Religious ceremony : reception in your place of worship remains limited to one chair out of 3 with a necessary spacing of every other row. Only guests from the same household will be able to stay grouped together.
• Secular ceremony: Reception will be limited both outdoors and indoors to 35% of the capacity of your reception venue. For example, if your venue is limited to 200 people, the gauge will be set at 70 people.

The wedding reception

• Reopening of classified reception venues Category L ERP 
• Capacity limited to 35%. Marquees, tents and structures are considered exteriors.
• Standing consumption is not permitted. Table service only.
• Cocktails and seated meals permitted outdoors only in compliance with the gauge of 50% of ERP capacity and the health protocol for event caterers : provision of hydroalcoholic gel, wearing a mask compulsory from 11 years old (except when eating), gauge of 6 people per table at 1 m distance and 2 m between each table.
• Dance floors must respect barrier gestures, be outdoors only and close at the curfew time.Wearing a mask is mandatory under the conditions set out in this protocol.
• Curfew at 21 p.m.: Guests not sleeping on site will have to return to their accommodation by 21 p.m. The caterer will have to stop all service activities for the customer at the start of the curfew. Service providers will also have to stop their work.

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production The Great Moments

2021 Weddings and COVID-19 – The Recovery Schedule

2021 Weddings and COVID-19 – The Recovery Schedule

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production The Great Moments

From June 9 to 19, 2021

The wedding ceremony

• Civil Ceremony : reception at the town hall will be limited to one chair out of 2.
• Religious ceremony : reception in your place of worship remains limited to one chair out of 3 with a necessary spacing of every other row. Only guests from the same household will be able to stay grouped together.
• Secular ceremony: Reception will be limited both outdoors and indoors to 50% of the capacity of your reception venue. For example, if your venue is limited to 200 people, the gauge will be set at 100 people.

The wedding reception

• Capacity limited to 50% indoors et 100% outdoors. Marquees, tents and structures are considered exteriors.
• Standing consumption is not permitted. Table service only.
• Cocktail and seated meals permitted indoors with 50% gauge  and outdoors with 100% gauge of ERP capacity, in compliance with the health protocol for event caterers : provision of hydroalcoholic gel, wearing a mask is mandatory from the age of 11 (except when eating), gauge of 6 people per table at a distance of 1 m and 2 m between each table. The installation of low walls between tables is strongly recommended.
• Dance floors must respect barrier gestures, be outdoors only and close at the curfew time.Wearing a mask is mandatory under the conditions set out in this protocol. (Subject to a new decree depending on the evolution of the epidemic)
• Curfew at 23 p.m.: Guests not sleeping on site will have to return to their accommodation by 23 p.m. The caterer will have to stop all service activities for the customer at the start of the curfew. Service providers will also have to stop their work.

From June 20 to 29, 2021

The wedding ceremony

• Civil Ceremony : reception at the town hall will be limited to one chair out of 2.
• Religious ceremony : reception in your place of worship remains limited to one chair out of 3 with a necessary spacing of every other row. Only guests from the same household will be able to stay grouped together.
• Secular ceremony: Reception will be limited both outdoors and indoors to 50% of the capacity of your reception venue. For example, if your venue is limited to 200 people, the gauge will be set at 100 people.

The wedding reception

• Capacity limited to 50% indoors et 100% outdoors. Marquees, tents and structures are considered exteriors.
• Standing consumption is not permitted. Table service only.
• Cocktail and seated meals permitted indoors with 50% gauge  and outdoors with 100% gauge of ERP capacity, in compliance with the health protocol for event caterers : provision of hydroalcoholic gel, wearing a mask is mandatory from the age of 11 (except when eating), gauge of 6 people per table at a distance of 1 m and 2 m between each table. The installation of low walls between tables is strongly recommended.
• Dance floors must respect barrier gestures and be outdoors only. In the context of a gathering, wearing a mask remains mandatory.
• Lifting of the curfew

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production The Great Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

From June 30, 2021

Unless the health situation changes, major restrictions will be liftedBrides will be able to celebrate their wedding without capacity or curfew.

The wedding ceremony

• More restrictions

The wedding reception

• 100% capacity
• Standing consumption is possible outdoors or under marquees without partitions (terrace above water). However, no dish or plate giving rise to a mixture of food between several guests is permitted. Service must be done only on a tray or on individual plates.
• Dinner in a seated configuration, authorized indoors and outdoors, respecting the health protocol for event caterers : provision of hydroalcoholic gel, wearing a mask is mandatory from the age of 11 (except when eating), no maximum number of guests allowed per table. The installation of low walls between tables is strongly recommended.
• Dance party allowed indoors and outdoors, respecting barrier gestures and wearing a mask.
• Lifting of curfew

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production The Great Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production The Great Moments

2021 Weddings and COVID-19 – Questions and Answers

What is a Public Access Establishment (ERP)?

Establishments open to the public (ERPs) are places where outsiders are admitted. It does not matter whether access is paid or free, open, restricted or by invitation. ERPs do not all receive the same number of people. They are therefore classified in categories according to the maximum capacity of the place. The ERP category is obtained according to the number of public and staff.

All professional reception venues are therefore ERPs, provided of course that the owner has taken the legal steps when the venue was put into operation. In order to obtain the most accurate information on the classification of your reception venue, do not hesitate to contact the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service) of the department concerned.

I'm getting married on June 12th, I've invited 200 guests, what are my options?

The good news is that your wedding can take place. However, there are four major conditions that will weigh on your organization:

• The 50% Gauge : If you want to host 200 guests indoors, you will need to ensure that your reception venue is able to accommodate 400. If this is not the case, you will need to limit your invitations to 50% of this capacity. This gauge is reduced to 65% if the reception takes place outdoors or under a marquee.
• Cocktail and meal in a seated configuration will be able to be organized indoors and outdoors in compliance with the 50% and 65% gauge and the health protocol for event caterers.
• Dancing can only be done outdoors, under cover of barrier gestures and wearing a mask.
• Curfew at 23 p.m. which applies to all guests and service providers

Your options:

1. 1. Review your daytime organization. Transform your wedding into a “ Garden Party " with a morning ceremony, a brunch followed by an afternoon punctuated by outdoor activities.
   2. To stay calm in the face of unpredictable weather, consider implementinga nomadic structure respecting the 50% gauge. For 200 guests, plan a structure of 400 m2. And if you are not accompanied by a wedding planner, work hand in hand with your caterer so that the service remains of quality for all.
   3. Rework your seating plan while respecting the health protocol.
   4. To make the party lighter, offer your guests the opportunity to get tested beforehand and also plan for self-tests on site.

Among my guests, I counted 30 children, should I include them in my quotas?

Yes, every human life matters. So there are no exceptions for children.

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production The Great Moments

The owner of the reception venue requires us to wear masks on the dance floor, does he have the right to do so?

The owner of the reception venue is required to enforce the regulations, so yes, he has a duty to comply with them under penalty of a fine or criminal prosecution. Remember that some venues have already been condemned and have undergone administrative closures.

I am organizing my wedding in a family home, in May or June, am I allowed to?

Until June 30, gatherings of more than 6 people in private are not allowed. Choosing to maintain the party will be your responsibility and exposes you to sanctions depending on the case. The repeated defiance of bans makes the authorities less and less flexible with regard to the organizers. Several convictions have been made including criminal charges for "endangering others".

I am invited to a wedding and my hotel is located 2 km from the reception venue, at what time am I required to leave the party?

From May 19 to June 8, 2021, you must be at your hotel by 21 p.m. From June 9 to 19, you will have until 23 p.m. to return to your accommodation. Failure to comply with the curfew will result in a fine of €135.

Will the government vote to introduce a health pass?

The health pass was voted by the European Union and will be effective from June 9. This provision is supposed to be temporary and exceptional. Initially reserved for travel abroad, it must condition access to certain places and major events on presentation from the age of 11 of the negative screening result less than 48 hours, an proof of complete vaccination (2 weeks after the 2nd injection) or an certificate of recovery following contamination. All via the TousAntiCOVID application.

For the time being, weddings are not affected by the health pass.. However, and in order to speed up the exit from the crisis, wedding professionals have issued a very favorable opinion. And we can only encourage future brides and grooms to protect their entourage and their service providers, by checking everyone's good health before meeting. The party will be all the more beautiful.

We live in the UK and are planning to get married in France this summer, what are the restrictions?

To deal with the Indian variant, France decided on Wednesday May 26 to implement mandatory isolation for all travelers from Great Britain. This 7-day mandatory quarantine will come into force from Monday May 31, 2021.

In addition, a compelling motive will be required " for non-resident foreign nationals joining France from the United Kingdom ". And a PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours old will also be presented for " anyone joining France from the United Kingdom " In case of non-compliance, the fine incurred can be up to 1 euros.

This quarantine concerns 17 countries : the United Kingdom, Brazil, India, Chile, South Africa, Argentina, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Colombia, Bahrain, Costa Rica and Uruguay. 

We are planning to get married in Corsica this summer, what are the restrictions?

For travelers to Corsica, a declaration on honor must be completed by passengers since December 19, 2020. This declaration on honour, printed and signed, will be required at the time of boarding by the transport company. Passengers must have completed an RT-PCR or antigen test 72 hours before departure.

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

Weddings 2021 and COVID-19 – The recovery schedule // Credits – Photos by Gert Huygaerts, DA and Production Les Grands Moments

Image Credits

Photographer – Gert Huygaerts
Artistic direction et Production - The Great Moments
Floral Stylist – Paris Bloom
Dishes - Cañigueral
Glassware – Vintage tableware
Chairs – Home Options
Linen tablecloth – Lady of the House
Calligraphic stationery – Nice Feather
Concept store dresses –  Lena Medoyeff in Sistine
Crown jewelry – Bo and Luca
MUHA – Ava Belle
Muses – Megane Lemiel
Venue - Castle Bouffémont

TO BE CONTINUED…

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

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