COVID-19:Rules for your wedding in France, in 2021
Well, we are finally here. It’s the 19th May on Wednesday and France starts it’s 3 phases out of lock down, ready to open up fully by the summer. So, what are the COVID protocol rules of hosting a wedding in France in summer 2021 during each of the 3 phases? And what do they mean for your wedding?
Phase 1
From 19th May 2021
From Wednesday the 19th May 2021 couples getting married in France can finally gather more than 6 guests.
For ceremonies in church, guests must only occupy every third seat on every other row. The relative spacing should also be applied to outside events or at the wedding venue.
Wedding venues with reception rooms (including marquees) and terraces can reopen and couples may welcome guests up to a maximum of 35% of the total capacity of the space (this applies to both internal and external spaces).
Receptions inside are to be stand up only and no catering service is permitted.
Wedding receptions held outside (including marquees) may host stand up receptions or seated meals under the hygiene protocols and with a maximum of 6 guests per table.
Eg: If your venue has a terrace with a maximum capacity of 100 for a stand-up cocktail reception then you may host 35 guests. If the same terrace can host 60 wedding guests for a seated meal, then you may only invite 21.
There is a night time curfew of 9pm for any guests not resident on site. Note: Guests must be returned to their own accommodation but this time.
Phase 2
From 9th June 2021
From the 9th June 2021 this reception capacity increases from 35% to 50% indoors and 65% outside. The service of food is possible from this date providing the room capacities are respected.
For wedding ceremonies in church guests must occupy every other seat but may sit in all rows. Again for ceremonies at venues or outside the relative spacing should also be applied.
At the wedding reception food may be served both indoors and out with only seated meals permitted indoor. Outdoors both standing cocktail receptions with food and seated meals are permitted.
Maximum of 6 guests seated at a table.
Night time curfew extended to 11pm. Non residential guests must be returned to their lodgings by this time.
Phase 3
From 30th June 2021
Couples can gather for their wedding day without restrictions.
Ceremonies can take place without spacing out the seating
Both stand up and seated receptions can take place inside or outside at venues, without any restrictions on the capacity of the space.
No night time curfew.
Hygiene Protocols
There will be no PCR or hygiene passes required at venues, but all other hygiene protocols applicable at gatherings will remain in place in line with government advice at the time.
Contact your venue or caterer who will be able to advise you further on the applicable legislation.
So, whilst couples will finally be able host a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic and invite more than 6 guests, it’s not necessarily all good news.
For many reading this blog travel restrictions will have a big influence on how to proceed so we recommend that you keep up to date with these developments.
- Information for Travellers Arriving in France from Abroad (Eng)
- For Information on travel from and back into your country of origin see your Government’s own website.
SOURCE: A letter from the Union of Event Professionals (UPSE) in Le Parisien.
Be positive…
If you are worrying about how your wedding in France will look under COVID-19 rules this summer then don’t despair, we very successfully assisted Samara and Garry through their wedding preparations and day last year. They and their guests had a fabulous weekend to remember and it was not as restricted as they had envisaged. See their wedding story here and for details of what we put in place, see our blog: A Destination Wedding In France during COVID-19