Will Coronavirus affect my wedding day?

Everything you need to know

With Coronavirus taking over the news, it's a good idea to separate fact from frightening fiction and get clued up on how it could affect your big day. From wedding suppliers to healthcare professionals, we've chatted to the experts and got the lowdown on the impact of Coronavirus on weddings.

With daily COVID-19 updates from the Government and the unpredictable nature of the situation, we understand that this is a stressful and difficult time for couples planning 2021 weddings. At present receptions are banned and the number of ceremony guests depends on how many people from different households a venue can safely keep 2m apart. As many couples haven't been given clear guidance around hospitality and the reception, many are reducing the day to just the ceremony.

To help you make sense of it all and get a plan of action into place, we’ve spent some time chatting to all kinds of experts, from insurance professionals to wedding dress suppliers, and have answered all of your Coronavirus and wedding-related queries.

Whether you’re worried about your wedding insurance policy, your wedding dress delivery time or having to postpone your wedding, we’ve taken all of your concerns to the people who know best.

Will I need to postpone or cancel my wedding because of Coronavirus?

In Scotland, wedding receptions - but without alcohol - can take place with up to 50 people from 26 April.

Wedding ceremonies in Northern Ireland are currently limited to 25 people and receptions are banned. But dates for lockdown easing reviews are set for 15 April, 13 May and 10 June.

From 29 March in England, weddings can be attended by a maximum of six people. This will rise to 15 after 12 April if Covid rates remain low, increasing to a limit of 30 after 17 May. Receptions are included in the plans, but only in certain venues.

Will my wedding insurance cover postponement or cancellation?

Wedding Plan Insurance have outlined the circumstances in which your wedding will be covered if cancellation and not postponement is necessary: “Our policy would only provide cover if your venue is unable to hold your wedding due to the outbreak of infectious or contagious disease, the venue is closed by the relevant authority, or the death, injury or sickness of you or your close relative that would make continuance of the wedding inappropriate, subject to the policy terms and conditions.” The policy is also only valid if insurance was taken out before any lockdown or venue closures are announced.

Wedinsure highlight that you will need to check the specifics of your policy as they do not cover certain situations related to Coronavirus restrictions: “The policy does not cover cancellation or rearrangement due to any claim resulting from issues relating to travel bans, flight cancellations or government acts, regulations such as a ban on public or social gatherings or any form of travel restrictions.” We recommend taking a look at the terms and conditions and phoning your insurer if you’re unsure.