Weddings, Receptions (and Dancing!) Resume in New York on Monday

New York's new state guidelines for weddings and catered events go into effect on Monday, March 15, meaning couples can celebrate with larger guest lists and in-person dancing for the first time in a year. 

Under the loosened restrictions, venues will operate at 50% capacity, with an upper limit of 150 people for each event. 

To make this possible, certain rules must be followed: Venues must notify local health departments of large gatherings, guests must provide proof of a negative Covid test and sign in to make contract tracing possible, and guests and staff must continue to wear masks at all times, except when eating or drinking, or when seated with their group. Dancing is allowed, with masking and social distancing between groups not belonging to the same household (i.e., 'dance zones’). 

After a year of postponements, cancellations, and downsized weddings, Monday’s update is a welcome relief to many couples, venues, and vendors. 

Read more about it in Jennifer Millman’s report for NBC 4, New York. 

You can find the full list of new DOH guidelines here. 

• Some wedding vendors are skeptical about the larger gathering limits and wonder whether the rules will be followed. 

• Others ask if large weddings are safe, or if re-opening comes too soon. 

Learn about the concerns facing wedding officiants and other vendors around the country:

• Wedding Industry on its own? Frustrated vendors speak out, create solutions
• Covid Testing Before Your Wedding -- What’s the Best Strategy to Avoid Last Minute Cancellations?
• How ‘Covid Safety Coordinators’ can help save a struggling wedding industry
• We asked wedding officiants what to expect as COVID-19 heads into 2021