Coronavirus restrictions on Weddings in Scotland from late June 2020 (Phase Two onwards).

As we reach the point that would have been the wedding season in full swing, July and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's new announcements bring a little hope for those of us keen to know when (and how) weddings will take place again, in Scotland.

We're now in Phase Two, which is, of course, nothing like normality just yet, but there are a few guidelines that have been relaxed enough now to enable smaller weddings to take place.

Given how confusing these past few months have been and how overwhelming wedding planning has become in the midst of it all, I've done a little research and here's a breakdown of what you need to know about weddings in Scotland, at this current moment in time (July 6th 2020).

1. They have to be small & *outdoors only*.

From 29th June 2020, weddings have been able to take place outdoors only.

With only an 8 person limit (still in place) and only up to 3 households (including yours) can attend. This is still the case now.

Your Officiant does not count as one of these households, so if you wanted to have a photographer present, them + your witness(es) + you would cover all allowances, providing your witnesses were no more than 4 people all from the same household.

3 households, max, no more than 8 people. Officiants don't count.

2. The 5 mile Travel Restrictions don't apply.

The 5 mile limit doesn't apply when it comes to meeting friends or family and, a Government rep confirmed for Scottish Wedding, that this would also apply to small weddings:

“While the government’s strong guidance is to avoid unnecessary travel, we recognise that in some cases it may be unavoidable,”.

Even when outside, it's important to remember, you would all still have to remain no less than 2 metres apart though.

3. Outdoor Hospitality can commence again from Monday 6th July.

This is amazing news, because it allows for a little post-ceremony celebration in a beer garden, or even on site, if you were interested in hiring any number of the amazing mobile food and drink wedding vendors out there to come along for a while and provide the refreshments (I'd advise doing your own research on the latter, though, as it might require some clever space and time management - i.e. potential vendor drop off and leave, much like a takeaway or the likes).

Self-contained holiday accommodation has also been reopened since Friday 3rd July too, meaning away-from-home / mini-moon accommodation is also now an option.

Just imagine it:

The teeniest tiniest weddings taking place by a lakeside, in a large garden or out in the middle of nowhere, in the great expanse of beautiful landscape Scotland has to offer.

This, in itself, although not a fit for everyone, is a lovely little hopeful promise of things to come. It also reminds us of what's most important in the first place. One another, the people we love and trust and lots of fresh air.

Important to note:

Don’t forget that before you get married in Scotland, you need to complete a Marriage Notice (M10) Form no later than 29 days before your intended wedding date (and no sooner than three months before). This can be downloaded from the National Records of Scotland website.

You must also have two witnesses at your wedding.

4. What comes next?

Phase 3.

It's not clear yet when we'll enter phase 3 – it'll depend completely on how well the virus has been suppressed.

Phase 2 will be reviewed on 9 July, though.

It looks as though Phase 3 will see a return to something a little closer to normality.

Hygiene and distancing guidelines will still be strictly in place, but we'll be able to meet indoors; pubs and restaurants will open indoor spaces; and museums, galleries, cinemas and libraries will be allowed to open again.

For Phase 3, the Government document states:

“People can meet in extended groups subject to physical distancing. Places of worship can open to extended groups subject to physical distancing and hygiene safeguards.

“We will relax restrictions on funeral attendance, marriages, civil partnership and other services to beyond close family.”

Though your guest list could be larger during phase three, it’s important to remember that two metre distancing between all guests not in the same household will still have to be the case.

Phase 4.

Again, it’s not possible to determine at this stage when exactly phase four will commence.

It is expected at this point that mass gatherings would be able to resume, though, in line with public health advice, which could mean weddings going ahead in a more normal fashion, just with extra hygiene practices in place throughout.

All ceremonies will be able to take place at this point with the required precautions.

So, really, phase 4 will be when weddings will be able to take place fairly normally again. And I, for one, can't wait for that time.

It looks as though weddings towards the end of this year and in to 2021 and 2022 should be much more normal affairs - and who doesn't love a wedding spent majority outdoors anyway, am I right?

If you're planning your 2021 or 2022 wedding and would like to chat more about your day and options for a bespoke Photography Collection - drop me a line here.

In the meantime, though, stay safe.

Jx