Connecticut Covid Wedding Regulations

ONLINE WEDDING CEREMONIES

Online weddings are not allowed in Connecticut.

COVID RESTRICTIONS FOR COUPLES & MINISTERS

Although Connecticut has fully reopened since the pandemic, individuals are still required to wear face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status.

MARRIAGE LICENSES & THE TOWN CLERK

At the moment, many Town Clerk's Offices in Connecticut are temporarily operating with modified schedules. Please plan accordingly, as hours may have changed or an appointment may be necessary.

Couples must apply for a marriage license in person, but many town clerks provide a way to begin the application process online. Connecticut Executive Order 7L has authorized Town Clerks to process marriage license applications, and accept completed marriage licenses, regardless of where in the state the marriage will take place. Contact your local Town Clerk's Office for more information, as scheduling an appointment may be necessary.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

These policy changes are temporary and tied to the Covid-19 pandemic, and will go into review again on February 15, 2022. Connecticut Executive Order 7L established the policy changes discussed on this page and will remain in effect until the public health crisis is over.

For more information, contact your Town Clerk's Office. You can review Connecticut's policy order here:

Connecticut Executive Order 7L

COVID-19, social distancing, travel bans, lockdowns… Many couples are being forced to downsize their wedding plans and for many guests, the only way to attend is with their computers and mobile phones.

If your guest list is shrinking to just the couple and officiant, or maybe just the couple, Connecticut marriage laws regulate who must be in attendance, and how the ceremony is conducted. Here are some options to help adapt your wedding plans in Connecticut to celebrate a COVID safe wedding.

Virtual Weddings vs. Livestream Ceremonies in Connecticut

For the sake of clarity, we differentiate virtual wedding ceremonies (or Zoom/Skype ceremonies) from livestream ceremonies by who is in attendance. If the officiant is officiating the vows from another place via video, then we call that a virtual or Zoom ceremony, since the people involved in the ceremony are interacting over whatever video platform is chosen.

However, if the couple and the officiant are present, but guests are watching remotely, we call that a livestream wedding since the ceremony itself is happening in one physical place. You can read more about what distinguishes each option here.

How can we celebrate a legally valid live streamed ceremony in Connecticut

You can livestream any activity or event, and it doesn't matter where you are in Connecticut, what you're doing or how many people are physically present with you. Some of the most popular platforms include Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live.

As long as you have a tripod and a phone with a good camera on it, your guests will be able to participate remotely. Many of these platforms even allow guests to comment, chat, and interact in other ways.

We realize that this is not always ideal, but ultimately, if couples choose to move forward with scaled down weddings and smaller guests lists, these communications platforms let friends and family around the world know that they are still being thought of.

For folks planning on livestreaming their nuptials, Here's How to Livestream Your Wedding.