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| Coronavirus: What are the rules on weddings? | Coronavirus: What are the rules on weddings? |
| (5 days later) | |
| Weddings of up to 30 people are allowed to take place in England again from 4 July. | |
| About 73,600 weddings and same-sex civil partnership ceremonies were postponed during the first three months of lockdown, according to the Office for National Statistics. | |
| Are weddings allowed at the moment? | Are weddings allowed at the moment? |
| In some circumstances, depending on the size and location of the ceremony. | In some circumstances, depending on the size and location of the ceremony. |
| Weddings or civil partnerships with up to 30 guests can take place from 4 July in England. They had been banned under almost all circumstances since lockdown began on 23 March. | Weddings or civil partnerships with up to 30 guests can take place from 4 July in England. They had been banned under almost all circumstances since lockdown began on 23 March. |
| Northern Ireland has allowed outdoors weddings with 10 people present since early June. Wales and Scotland also now allow wedding ceremonies to take place, but social distancing must be observed, and big gatherings are not allowed. | Northern Ireland has allowed outdoors weddings with 10 people present since early June. Wales and Scotland also now allow wedding ceremonies to take place, but social distancing must be observed, and big gatherings are not allowed. |
| How will coronavirus affect my wedding? | How will coronavirus affect my wedding? |
| As weddings typically bring lots of families and friends into close contact, they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus. The government has published guidelines on how to have a ''Covid-secure'' wedding in England, once they can take place again from 4 July: | As weddings typically bring lots of families and friends into close contact, they are particularly vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus. The government has published guidelines on how to have a ''Covid-secure'' wedding in England, once they can take place again from 4 July: |
| The government says it is working with the weddings industry to see how receptions could take place safely in the future. | The government says it is working with the weddings industry to see how receptions could take place safely in the future. |
| What should I do if I am due to get married soon? | What should I do if I am due to get married soon? |
| If you feel your will be too different from the day you wanted, it is generally better to postpone rather than cancel it. | If you feel your will be too different from the day you wanted, it is generally better to postpone rather than cancel it. |
| Check alternative dates with your venue as soon as possible, and then ask your suppliers if they would also be able to switch. | Check alternative dates with your venue as soon as possible, and then ask your suppliers if they would also be able to switch. |
| Couples ''do need to be understanding of what venues and suppliers are going through at the moment", says Henrietta Dunkley of Ellis Jones Solicitors. She specialises in dispute resolution, and is due to get married in August. | Couples ''do need to be understanding of what venues and suppliers are going through at the moment", says Henrietta Dunkley of Ellis Jones Solicitors. She specialises in dispute resolution, and is due to get married in August. |
| Many venues and suppliers are likely to have lost significant sums of money, so try to find a solution that works for everyone, she advises. | Many venues and suppliers are likely to have lost significant sums of money, so try to find a solution that works for everyone, she advises. |
| For example, if the wedding was on a Friday or Saturday or in peak season and the venue can't offer an equivalent date, it's generally reasonable to ask for a fee reduction, or an upgrade in the service you will receive. | For example, if the wedding was on a Friday or Saturday or in peak season and the venue can't offer an equivalent date, it's generally reasonable to ask for a fee reduction, or an upgrade in the service you will receive. |
| What if I want to cancel? | What if I want to cancel? |
| If your ceremony was due while weddings were banned, you should generally be entitled to a full refund if you don't want to postpone. | If your ceremony was due while weddings were banned, you should generally be entitled to a full refund if you don't want to postpone. |
| The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says in most cases this would be if: | The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says in most cases this would be if: |
| An exception is the costs a business has incurred on your behalf already, such as a wedding meal tasting or a dress fitting. | An exception is the costs a business has incurred on your behalf already, such as a wedding meal tasting or a dress fitting. |
| As a result, venues and suppliers may be entitled to keep all or part of your deposit, but consumer rights law states they must give you a breakdown of costs. | As a result, venues and suppliers may be entitled to keep all or part of your deposit, but consumer rights law states they must give you a breakdown of costs. |
| If your wedding is coming up and is technically allowed to take place, that's where things become trickier. | If your wedding is coming up and is technically allowed to take place, that's where things become trickier. |
| Read the small print in your contract to check the rules on cancellation or date changes of the businesses you are using. And then ask them what they are prepared to offer. | Read the small print in your contract to check the rules on cancellation or date changes of the businesses you are using. And then ask them what they are prepared to offer. |
| Under consumer rights law, contract clauses that could be deemed unfair may be unenforceable, even if you previously agreed to them. Any ''non-refundable'' deposit can only have been a small percentage of the total price. | Under consumer rights law, contract clauses that could be deemed unfair may be unenforceable, even if you previously agreed to them. Any ''non-refundable'' deposit can only have been a small percentage of the total price. |
| Can I claim on wedding insurance? | Can I claim on wedding insurance? |
| Most wedding insurance does not cover a ''government act", so it is unlikely to pay out if the lockdown affected your wedding. | Most wedding insurance does not cover a ''government act", so it is unlikely to pay out if the lockdown affected your wedding. |
| A few wedding insurers are paying out now under some circumstances. For example, John Lewis suggests it will refund you if restrictions mean your wedding cannot be held and you can demonstrate you have tried to recoup the money from your venue and suppliers. | A few wedding insurers are paying out now under some circumstances. For example, John Lewis suggests it will refund you if restrictions mean your wedding cannot be held and you can demonstrate you have tried to recoup the money from your venue and suppliers. |
| Many, if not all insurers are not selling new wedding policies, so this only covers existing agreements. | Many, if not all insurers are not selling new wedding policies, so this only covers existing agreements. |
| If not, you may have to register a claim with the administrator or can claim up to £30,000 per supplier from your credit card company for services not rendered, under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. | If not, you may have to register a claim with the administrator or can claim up to £30,000 per supplier from your credit card company for services not rendered, under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. |
| If you paid on debit card you may be able to secure a refund under the chargeback scheme. | If you paid on debit card you may be able to secure a refund under the chargeback scheme. |
| Can suppliers and venues charge me more if I postpone? | Can suppliers and venues charge me more if I postpone? |
| Businesses are not allowed to profiteer from the pandemic, meaning they cannot just hike up their prices. | Businesses are not allowed to profiteer from the pandemic, meaning they cannot just hike up their prices. |
| Ms Dunkley says some couples have found venues are charging them far more for a postponed wedding than if they tried to book the same date as a new customer. This is unlikely to be deemed reasonable. | Ms Dunkley says some couples have found venues are charging them far more for a postponed wedding than if they tried to book the same date as a new customer. This is unlikely to be deemed reasonable. |
| However, she adds it is fair for an equivalent wedding in 2021 to cost slightly more, because of inflation - the rise in costs for goods and services over time - and to reflect an increase in supply costs. | However, she adds it is fair for an equivalent wedding in 2021 to cost slightly more, because of inflation - the rise in costs for goods and services over time - and to reflect an increase in supply costs. |
| The CMA has set up a taskforce to investigate harmful pricing practices during the pandemic. Consumers can fill in this form if they feel a business has treated them unfairly. | The CMA has set up a taskforce to investigate harmful pricing practices during the pandemic. Consumers can fill in this form if they feel a business has treated them unfairly. |
| Some insurance policies will pay out if your supplier or venue goes bust. | Some insurance policies will pay out if your supplier or venue goes bust. |