Amid the COVID-19 pandemic affecting countries worldwide, the Church of England has taken a definitive stance by restricting wedding parties to five people.

All over the world, people are postponing their big days as governments instill lockdowns and self-quarantine instructions. While people may not have the large event they imagined, they do still have the option of tying the knot, albeit it on a much smaller scale.

The Church of England has sanctioned that weddings will now be curtailed to the legal minimum of five people. This includes the bridal couple, the wedding officiant and two witnesses.While the two partners may stand close together, those attending the wedding will be required to practice social distancing. The priest will not be required to touch the rings to bless them, nor will they have to touch the bridal couple’s hands as part of prayer.

The Church is also putting measures in place to allow guests to attend the wedding virtually.

“Where family relatives or friends are unable to attend given the restrictions on numbering, churches will be happy to explore ways to allow others to join the service, either through platforms such as Skype, or recording the service to send at a later date to anyone unable to attend,” they write. “Where no audio link can be achieved, an order of service could be sent either by email or post.”

“No additional church personnel will attend the service, for example organists, vergers or sound system operator etc.”

Still want to go ahead with your wedding but practising social distancing? Why not livestream it?

Image: Unsplash