Will My Wedding Be Affected By Coronavirus?

Boris Johnson has recently announced that the UK government is in the process of reducing lockdown restrictions. Each step will depend on the UK’s COVID Alert Level which is determined by the R rate being below 1 and the number of infections decreasing or remaining manageable.

Following his announcement on the 25th of May 2020, it seems that most wedding businesses will be able to continue helping you plan your weddings by the 15th of June, with venues, hair and beauty suppliers hopefully being able to follow suit on the 4th of July.

Looking back to the previous announcement from 10th of May, it seems that small weddings will be able to go ahead from as early as 1st June 2020 with larger affairs from 4th July. So far, over 100,000 weddings have already been postponed, most to 2021. Those with weddings in June, July and beyond will now be relying on the COVID Alert Level to continue decreasing in order for their wedding to go ahead. When weddings do go ahead, they are very likely to be socially distanced events, where guests numbers will be limited and guests possibly restricted to household groups at the venue.

Are you planning a wedding for 2020? Read on for information on how coronavirus might affect your wedding and the measures you should be taking. Plus, for regular, Live updates follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

‘A roadmap to reopening society’: What does the recent government announcement mean for weddings?

In short, the festivities can hopefully begin again soon. Small weddings will hopefully be able to go ahead in June and larger events hopefully in July. It is important to note that this is the government’s plan and it is dependant on the R rate and the UK’s new COVID Alert Level. When weddings can go ahead, we can anticipate that they will be socially distanced events and guest numbers will be limited until we reach COVID Alert Level 1.

Following the announcement on Monday 25th of May, Boris Johnson announced the following: ‘From the 15th of June, we intend to allow all other non-essential retail, ranging from department stores to small, independent shops to re-open. Again, this change will be contingent upon progress against the 5 tests and will only be permitted for those retail premises which are COVID secure’

While this is all still dependant on the progress the country is making, it does suggest that bridal boutiques and other small wedding retailers like menswear and bridal party clothing will hopefully be allowed to resume business as long as they are COVID secure. For how this might look in terms of bridalwear, our conversation about the post-lockdown bridal shopping experience with Ellie Sanderson will shine a light on what you can expect.

Weddings in 2021:

If you are looking for advice regarding your 2021 wedding, please watch this video. Should you be worried about the impact on your wedding? We explore the implications of so many weddings being postponed to next year and how to ensure that your own plans can progress as safely and smoothly as possible.

Should I cancel my wedding due to the Coronavirus outbreak?

If your wedding is in the summer, you are probably already facing the reality that it will not be the day you have dreamed of. When the COVID Alert Level is reduced enough, weddings will be able to go ahead again. For those with June, July and August wedding dates, you may be able to go ahead with a very small or socially distanced wedding. If you do not like the sound of that, you should consider postponing. Speak directly with your venue and suppliers, as it is important to understand what the options are and take your time to decide what is right for you. They’ll be one of the first to know the regulations when they are announced and will be able to discuss their options and limitations with you.

Even with the prediction, we will be out of lockdown in the near future, social distancing measures will be sure to have a major impact on 2020 weddings. Read our advice to couples with weddings in summer 2020 to help make that difficult decision.

Can I get wedding insurance to cover Coronavirus?

If you haven’t got wedding insurance, it is now too late. All the main companies that provide wedding insurance have stopped issuing new cover and have not been clear as to whether couples who have current policies will be covered by the pandemic. If you have wedding insurance you may be covered for cancellation if you or your close family are ill or if the venue is closed down by the local authority. We’d recommend reading the small print of your insurance. They should all have coronavirus updates and FAQs so you should know exactly what you are covered for, however, there is a lot of debate about whether you’ll be able to claim, and if you are able to, what you’ll be covered for.

“If you are an existing customer, we can assure you that your policy remains in place and unchanged.” – John Lewis Wedding Insurance

The fact that existing policies remain “in place and unchanged” may not be as reassuring as it appears. Insurance can only cover against “specific perils”. Many policies stipulate that this includes “notifiable diseases”. As COVID-19 is a new disease and was first registered as notifiable on 5th March 2020, a lot of insurers will not be obliged to settle claims relating to COVID-19. In essence, as Coronavirus didn’t exist, insurance companies couldn’t insure you against it.

Postponing or cancelling your wedding

Check your contracts carefully to see how you stand legally. If you have insurance, check exactly what you are covered for. Most policies are unlikely to cover Coronavirus.

With most wedding bookings, you pay a non-refundable deposit on booking, then pay the balance close to the wedding date. If the wedding doesn’t go ahead, as planned and on the date agreed, and it is you cancelling, you may still be obliged to pay the balance. Most venues and suppliers are waiving this clause, especially if they haven’t incurred direct costs at the point you cancel. If the venue or supplier cancels, the contract almost certainly entitles you to a refund of anything you have paid. In both cases, our very strong recommendation is to postpone, not cancel.

Just remember, communication is key. If you’re unsure, speak directly to your supplier or venue.

Your venue and suppliers will almost certainly incur financial losses if you postpone. They are not obliged to accommodate a change to your plans so may ask you to wait until nearer to your wedding date if there is a chance it can go ahead.

Although we hope those listed on Guides for Brides will do what they can to accommodate a postponed wedding, if it is you choosing to postpone, they may ask you to choose a less popular date, to pay a second booking fee to secure the date or pay a small supplement for a peak date. Speak to your venue and caterers first as that is likely to be the biggest potential expense. If they are happy for you to postpone, speak to your other suppliers.

Confirm your new date as soon as you can. Venues are already fairly booked up for the autumn and throughout 2021. If a lot of 2020 weddings are postponed there will be a shortage of available dates. Use our late availability pages to check dates with a range of venues and suppliers.

Some of your suppliers may not be available for your new date in which case you may need to accept that you’ll lose your deposit.

Image: Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

How can I prevent the spread of Coronavirus at my wedding?

If you are getting married later in the year, and Coronavirus is still a concern, you may well be concerned about the possibility of the disease spreading at your wedding ceremony. The most important thing is to make sure that you take all possible steps to prevent it. If you do everything that you can to minimise the risk, you will find it easier to relax and enjoy your big day. These are some of the best things you can do to keep your wedding safe.

Ensure everyone washes their hands

A simple one, to begin with, make sure that there are adequate hand wash facilities available to your guests. Hand washing is the best measure your guests can take to prevent the spread. Encourage everyone to wash hands before eating; you may need to adjust your reception timings to allow time for this. If you can get hold of hand sanitiser your guests will appreciate the convenience. However, washing thoroughly with soap and water is just as effective!

Check on hygiene standards

Several large hotel chains have announced rigorous measures that they are taking to help combat the spread. These measures include increased presence of hand sanitisers, more thorough cleaning measures and keeping in line with the latest directives from public health organisations. If you’re concerned about your venue’s hygiene standards, don’t be afraid to ask them what their processes are. Ask how they’re planning to keep up with the latest safety measures and whether they’re intending to perform a deep clean.

Cut out high-risk guests

Encourage anyone who is planning on travelling from overseas, or those with any cold or flu-like symptoms to stay at home. Ask your videographer if they can set up a live video link so guests can still be part of the day from a distance.

Minimise physical contact

A measure that has been widely recommended is to keep physical contact to a minimum and distance guests at least 2 metres apart unless they are of the same household. Of course, at a wedding, it’s always nice to have hugs, kisses, and handshakes, but once again the best policy to adopt is the one which most reduces the risk.

With sensible precautions, your wedding guests should be safe from COVID-19.

How has Coronavirus affected the supply of wedding dresses?

For many brides, trying to find your dream wedding dress can take a lot of time and effort. Having found, chosen and ordered your perfect gown it would be devastating to find you can’t wear it due to COVID-19. China is one of the largest wedding dress producers in the world. Northern Italy produces a lot of UK wedding dresses too; the high number of Chinese workers in the Northern Italy clothing factories are thought to have brought COVID-19 to Europe. The pandemic has led to production being stalled; gowns not being delivered on time and a subsequent shortage of wedding dresses in the UK.

Back in February, Labour MP Chris Bryant told the House of Commons that, due to many wedding dresses being designed here but produced in China, UK-based wedding dress designers are struggling. A majority of Chinese factories are out of operation while they await inspection and disinfection. The presence of coronavirus is affecting the entire wedding dress supply chain; from fabric mills to transport by road and air. All these factors inevitably impact wedding dress production and supply.

Cancellation of London Bridal Fashion Week and The White Gallery – the main two trade shows for bridal retailers – will make it hard for bridal boutiques to choose their new ranges for 2021 weddings.

Is my wedding dress affected by COVID-19?

Wedding dress suppliers are using alternative methods in an attempt to combat the shortages. Half-finished dresses are being shipped to the UK so they can be completed at local factories. Meanwhile, the British Bridal Suppliers Association (BBSA) is advising brands to alter their standard delivery times to avoid disappointing customers.

Our recommendations to ensure your wedding dress arrives in time

We would advise brides to plan even further ahead than you would normally. Ask where your wedding dress will be coming from and prepare for a long wait if it is coming from China or Italy. Consider only looking at designers who design and make their dresses in the UK. While we are on lockdown and under social distancing measures, bridal boutiques may remain shut. Many are offering a wait list for appointments, so it will be worth your time getting onto one and ordering your dress as soon as you are able to.

If you’ve already ordered your dress, get in touch with your boutique or designer. Many are still taking calls and answering emails. They can advise you on whether you should expect a delay and whether the current situation will affect your order. If your dress has already arrived at the boutique, collect it as soon as you are able so you are in full control.

How has Coronavirus affected Destination Weddings and Honeymoons?

Depending on the country, your destination wedding or honeymoon plans will almost certainly be in jeopardy due to coronavirus.

It all depends on where you are going and where you have been. Restrictions are becoming more widespread and major airports are implementing preventive measures.

The hotel industry has witnessed a massive dip following the COVID-19 outbreak. This is due to cancellations from immediate travellers and future bookings being stalled. Even hotel giants like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott have seen their shares affected by travel worries in Asia and Europe.

Will our honeymoon be affected by Coronavirus?

If you are both healthy and are happy to take the risk that you may not be able to get back home if flights are cancelled or borders close, there is no reason not to go on a honeymoon as planned. Some countries are currently at considerably lower risk than the UK.

Consider whether you are happy with the health care provisions in the country you are visiting. In the event that either of you become infected, what will your travel insurance cover cost-wise?

If you don’t already have travel insurance you may not be able to get cover for illness or cancellation.

Will our destination wedding be affected by Coronavirus?

It will almost certainly be affected. Even if you are happy to travel, your family and friends are unlikely to. If you have suppliers coming out of the UK they may be very unwilling to travel.

You will need to make the decision on whether to go ahead with the wedding or cancel and start planning again. Assuming you have insurance, it is best to wait to see if the government or your airline forces you to cancel. Your insurance won’t cover you if you don’t go ahead with the wedding simply because your guests choose not to attend.

The good news is, many destination wedding celebrants are partnering with local celebrants in a small movement which they hope will improve the situation for couples. If your family cannot attend, some are offering live streams of the ceremony. If you cannot make your destination wedding at all, many celebrants are working with their UK partners. Your chosen celebrant, having written and crafted the ceremony, will ensure that a trusted colleague in the UK can officiate it locally. Ask you celebrant if this is at all an option for you.

Our recommendations for overseas weddings and honeymoons during the coronavirus outbreak.

Check the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website for an updated list of countries where restrictions are in place. It is changing all the time so be ready to change your plans accordingly.

Your travel insurance will only cover you for cancellation if you are forced to cancel, not if you simply choose to.

While there is such uncertainty on which borders will be closed, and with airlines in financial difficulty, consider what will happen if you are prevented from returning from your overseas wedding or honeymoon. You may think you want your honeymoon to last forever, but in reality, you’ll want to be able to come home as planned.

Need a contingency plan?

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About the author

Written by: Alison Hargreaves

The ultimate wedding expert, Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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How To Have a Great, Socially-Distanced Wedding

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