England's new wedding guidelines ban singing and shouting

New COVID-19 guidance for weddings and civil partnerships allows short ceremonies with up to 30 people from the 4th of July in England.

This number includes the couple, witnesses, officials, guests and staff at the wedding.

These government published guidelines advise against receptions, but if they are absolutely necessary, then if they are indoors they must be small with only two households attending and for outdoor receptions allows for up to six different households to meet. Social distancing is required for all instances.

Hands should be washed and cleansed before exchanging wedding bands and those attending should be socially distanced at 2 metres where possible or 1 metre with safety measures.

Venues are encouraged to change their layouts to avoid face-to-face seating and improved their ventilation.

Other measures include:

• Food and drink are not allowed at the event

• Recordings and low volume music should be used to avoid singing and shouting. Spoken vows should not be shouted either. If singing or shouting is required as part of the ceremony, then a clear screen should be used. This is based on scientific evidence that singing and shouting produces droplets that can be inhaled by others, therefore acting as a method for transmission for illnesses including COVID-19.

• Instruments such as flutes or saxophones that are blown should be avoided.

• Wedding venues should have painted or taped markings on the floor to help people keep socially distanced.

Weddings in England have been banned in most circumstances since the 23rd of March.

These measures allow England to join other nations in the UK, that have already set out guidelines for weddings.

Weddings of up to 10 people outdoors are allowed in Northern Ireland. Outdoor marriages and civil partnerships are allowed in Scotland too. Wales has allowed ceremonies to take place, but social distancing is mandatory.

If venues do not follow England's new guidelines, the Health and Safety Executive or local authorities could take action such as enforcement notices.