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Coronavirus: How are Weddings Affected by Scotland’s 5 Tier System?

Coronavirus: How are Weddings Affected by Scotland’s 5 Tier System?


Cat Arnott
Cat Arnott Updated:
8th of March 2023

Latest: 9th August - Scotland is has moved into Beyond Level 0.

Read below to find out what the rules on weddings and related gatherings are in your area.

Find the protective level you want to read about:

Beyond Level 0 - A return to normality

Scotland is has moved to "Beyond Level 0" as of the 9th of August. 

The Scottish Wedding Guidance, has now become guidance on good practice for the tourism and hospitality sector.

What we know:

  • Social distancing has been dropped in most settings.
  • Unless an exemption applies, face coverings are required to be worn during an indoor marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration. The couple and officiant are exempt from this.
  • Those walking down the aisle at the ceremony are not required to wear a face covering at this point. However, face coverings must be worn after this moment.
  • Guests are able to remove face coverings when eating, drinking and dancing at a wedding indoors.
  • There is an ongoing requirement for venues to collect the contact details of attendees for Test and Protect.
  • Double vaccinated adults will no longer need to self-isolate if they are a close contact of a person who tests positive.

More information can be found on the good practice guidance FAQs

Level 0 - ‘Nearly Normal’ 

This level is the closest to normality that the Scottish government has included in the tier system. The key rules include: 

  • Up to 200 people can attend weddings and receptions, either outdoors or at approved venues.
  • Wedding suppliers and others working at the event are not included in the maximum number.
  • When inside, social distancing will be at 1 metre for wedding ceremonies and receptions for all venues.
  • Outdoors, groups of up to 15 people will not need to social distance from each other (but will need to distance from other groups).\n
    • This means that at outdoor ceremonies, 15 people can sit together or stand together.
    • This also means that at outdoor receptions groups of 15 can mingle and dance together.
  • At an outdoor reception, people can be served drinks and canapés without being seated.
  • Non-essential travel to areas in Level 3 or above is not allowed. However, exemptions for essential travel includes weddings.
  • Travel to other parts of the UK is allowed, however, you must check the rules on travelling to and from those nations before you do so.
  • The national physical distancing and face-covering rules still apply, although the physical distancing rules have been adjusted.
  • Leisure and entertainment are open with the exception of nightclubs. 
  • Accommodations are open with socialising rules applying.  
  • Close contact services, for example, hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians are open and mobile close contact services are permitted.
  • Hospitality - alcohol on-sale indoors and food for consumption on premises are permitted although a midnight closing time will apply.
  • Customers at hospitality venues will still be required to provide contact details to assist Test & Protect.
wedding setting

Level 1 - ‘Medium’

There is a "reasonable" degree of normality in Level 1. However, there are still restrictions. The key rules include: 

  • Up to 100 people can attend weddings and receptions, either outdoors or at approved venues.
  • A maximum of 6 people from 3 households can meet in private homes, including overnight stays.
  • Up to 8 people from 3 households can meet indoors in a public setting, such as a pub.
  • Outdoors, the limit is 12 people from 12 households.
  • Non-essential travel to areas in Level 3 or above is not allowed. However, exemptions for essential travel includes weddings.
  • Travel to other parts of the UK is allowed, however you must check the rules on travelling to and from those nations before you do so.
  • The national physical distancing and face covering rules still apply.
  • Leisure and entertainment are open with the exception of nightclubs. 
  • Accommodations are open with socialising rules applying.  
  • Close contact services, for example, hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians are open and mobile close contact services are permitted.
  • Hospitality - alcohol on-sale indoors and food for consumption on premises are permitted although time restrictions may apply.
Married couple walk on beach

Level 2 - ‘High’

The key rules include:

  • Up to 50 people can attend weddings and receptions, either outdoors or at approved venues.
  • A maximum of 6 people from 3 households can meet in private homes, including overnight stays.
  • Up to 6 people from 3 households can meet indoors in a public setting, such as a pub.
  • Outdoors, the limit is 8 people from 8 households.
  • Non-essential travel to areas in Level 3 or above is not allowed. However, exemptions for essential travel includes weddings.
  • Travel to other parts of the UK is allowed, however you must check the rules on travelling to and from those nations before you do so.
  • The national physical distancing and face covering rules still apply.
  • Leisure and entertainment are open with the exception of nightclubs. 
  • Accommodations are open with socialising rules applying.  
  • Close contact services, for example, hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians are open and mobile close contact services are permitted.
  • Hospitality - alcohol on-sale indoors and food for consumption on premises are permitted although time restrictions may apply.
brides getting married

Level 3 - ‘Very High’

The key rules include:

  • Up to 50 people can attend weddings and receptions, either outdoors or at approved venues.
  • You cannot meet anyone from outside your household or 'bubble' inside a private home.
  • Up to 6 people from 2 households can meet indoors in a public setting, such as a pub.
  • Outdoors, the limit is 6 people from 6 households.
  • Non-essential travel to or from a Level 3 area is not allowed. However, exemptions for essential travel includes weddings.
  • The national physical distancing and face-covering rules still apply.
  • Leisure and entertainment venues cannot open. 
  • Accommodations are open with socialising rules applying.  
  • Close contact services, for example, hairdressers, barbers, tailors and beauticians are open and mobile close contact services are permitted.
  • Hospitality - non-alcoholic drinks and food for consumption on premises are permitted indoors and outdoors, although time restrictions may apply.
Couple celebrating new marriage

Level 4 - ‘Lockdown’

This level is closer to a full lockdown. The key rules include:

  • Up to 20 people can attend weddings either outdoors or at approved venues. Receptions are not permitted.
  • You cannot meet anyone from outside your household or 'bubble' inside a private home.
  • You cannot socialise indoors in a public setting.
  • Up to 4 people from 2 households can meet outdoors, either in a public setting such as a park, or in a private garden.
  • Non-essential travel to or from a Level 4 area is not allowed. However, exemptions for essential travel includes weddings.
  • The national physical distancing and face covering rules still apply.
  • Leisure and entertainment venues cannot open.
  • Accommodations cannot open.  
  • Only non-mobile contact services, for example, hairdressers and barbers, are permitted to be open, by appointment only.
  • Hospitality venues cannot open, except for takeaway and delivery.
couple eloping

Can I travel to another protective level to attend a wedding?

Check both your own and the venue’s location to understand how they will be affected. Businesses will be bound by their local rules.

You must not travel to an area in Levels 3 or 4 from a Level 0, 1 or 2 region (and vice versa) unless for a good reason. Weddings are listed under the reasons you can travel from a Level 3 area to an area in Levels 0, 1 and 2.

The Scottish Government Guidance on Travel and Transport states: "Examples of reasonable excuses for travel to or from a Level 3 area include... to attend a gathering which relates to a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration."

Which protective level am I in?

All areas of Scotland are now in Beyond Level 0. 

The Guides for Brides team are committed to helping you stay up to date with the latest news, tips and trends relating to weddings and COVID-19. For more articles, visit our dedicated blog section.

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Cat Arnott

About the author


Cat Arnott

With a Masters degree in History, Cat is the best person to consult if you need wedding facts and information fast. Her passion for weddings has led to her having a broad and up to date knowledge of trends and traditions and she is here to research on your behalf to find the answer to any wedding related problem.

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