Government Guidance on Wedding Functions Post August 15th, 2020

The government guidelines are below and can be read in full by clicking here

The Government advice for England stated that no more than 30 people should attend a wedding where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a Covid Secure venue. We are delighted to say that Princes Risborough Golf Club is a Covid Secure venue. Such events should not take place in people’s private homes (or adjoining outdoor spaces like gardens), given that these will not have the same COVID-19 Secure measures in place.

The important caveat to the Government advice is that attendees of functions should at all times maintain social distancing of 2m or 1m with risk mitigation.

This must be adhered to between households:

“Household” and “Support Bubble”

A household is a person or a group of people who live together in the same accommodation.

A support bubble is where a single adult living alone, or a single parent with children under 18, can form an exclusive network with one other household where social distancing does not have to be observed.

The two households that form a support bubble count as one household for the purposes of this guidance.

Please contact us and we will walk you through what is possible.

Key principles

It is crucial that all staff, attendees and third-party suppliers visiting reception or celebration venues are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone displaying symptoms should stay at home and get tested.

If anyone becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 at a venue they should go home and be advised to follow the stay at home guidance. If they need clinical advice they should go online to NHS 111 (or call 111 if they don’t have internet access). In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. They should not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital except for emergency access as above.

People who may have been in contact with a person who has become unwell should wash their hands thoroughly after the interaction, but they do not need to take any other specific action unless they develop symptoms themselves or are advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace. If they do develop symptoms they must follow the stay at home guidance.

During all activities linked to the reception or celebration, all parties, especially people from separate households/bubbles, should adhere to social distancing guidelines; 2 metres or 1 metre with risk mitigation (where 2 metres is not viable). Venues and guest numbers should be chosen to ensure 2 metre spacing is possible for the main sections of the celebrations.

Wherever possible attendees should remain seated to support social distancing safety measures. They should be reminded at key points during the events to maintain social distancing and to avoid physical contact with individuals from different households.

Attendees and staff are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering where social distancing may be difficult and where they come into contact with people they do not normally meet, in line with the guidance on face coverings.

Venue managers should provide hand sanitiser at convenient points throughout the venue, and encourage attendees to use it.

Attendees, including children, should frequently throughout the day wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with running water and soap, or use hand sanitiser ensuring that all parts of the hands are covered.

Any shared facilities for children, such as play corners, soft furnishings, soft toys and toys that are hard to clean, should be removed or closed. Outdoor playgrounds are permitted to open where venue managers risk assess that it is safe to do so and ensure facilities are cleaned regularly. Particular attention should be paid to cleaning frequently touched surfaces and those that are at child height.

Venue managers should record the names and contact details of all persons visiting the venues and keep a written record for at least 21 days to support NHS Test and Trace.

Serving and consuming food and drink

Wherever possible staff should serve all food and drinks to minimise customer self-service, in line with the guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services and attendees should remain seated.

Seating arrangements should follow social distancing guidance, meaning that at most two households (including any support bubbles) are seated together and social distancing is maintained between these groups. Outdoor table service is also preferable.

Entertainment

Dancing should not be permitted due to the increased risk of transmission and dancefloors may be repurposed for additional customer seating or other relevant purposes, ensuring this is in line with the social distancing guidelines.

Venues intending to incorporate any live music, drama or comedy performance should strictly adhere to the Performing Arts guidance. To minimise risk of droplet and aerosol transmission from the combined attendees including the performer/s, audience, wedding party and associated staff and site providers. Outdoor performances are always preferable. Where any indoor performances are planned they should be limited in size, implement strict social distancing rules, only take place where high rates of air flow can be maintained, should use amplification systems to create volume rather than natural voices and should discourage vocal responses or audiences joining in. A solo or small number of performers is preferable and all should be socially distanced. Those planning the wedding should consider how the performers will impact the total size of the wedding party and therefore the safety of their event.

Indoor performances to a live audience with strict social distancing arrangements are expected to resume after 15 August in areas unrestricted by national or local restrictions. Venues should take account of the Performing Arts guidance in organising outdoor performances.

All venues should ensure that steps are taken to avoid people needing to unduly raise their voices to each other at any point in the proceedings. This includes - but is not limited to - refraining from playing music at a volume that makes normal conversation difficult, and avoiding activities such as communal singing or chanting. This is because there is a possible additional risk of transmission in environments where individuals are talking loudly, or singing or chanting as a group, and this applies even if social distancing is being observed or face coverings are used. You should take similar steps to prevent other close contact activities.

Other activities

Any other activities, including those that are watched by attendees (such as cake cutting) should take place with social distancing being maintained at all times and the numbers of guests involved limited wherever possible, with people remaining in their households/bubbles.

Activities that involve objects being thrown (such as confetti or bouquet toss) or passed from person to person should be avoided to reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Speeches should be undertaken outside or in well ventilated areas wherever possible. Ventilation with external air should be maximised in all buildings where people are gathering. For example, windows and doors should be opened as much as possible, and the sides of marquees removed or rolled up, throughout the event and when groups of staff are preparing and clearing away. Air conditioning systems using recirculated air are not advised. PA systems should be utilised wherever possible to help amplify speeches without speakers needing to raise their voices. Social distancing between the speaker and observers should be maintained at all times and neither speakers nor participants should raise their voices, to avoid the increased risk from aerosol transmission.

Objects in the venue

Other objects in the venue being touched by several people (such as guest books or polaroid camera stations) should be minimised and hand sanitisation encouraged both before and after contact. The exchange of cards and gifts during receptions and celebrations should be minimised wherever possible.

Third-party suppliers

For suppliers present during the wedding reception or celebration, they and the venue managers should ensure that all activities undertaken are subject to a risk assessment and that they maintain social distancing during any activities the suppliers are responsible for.

Contact details of all suppliers visiting the venue, including those visiting prior to or following the event, should be recorded and maintained in writing or electronically for 21 days to support NHS Test and Trace in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Venue managers should ensure that all third-party suppliers follow the guidance on inbound and outbound goods as set out in the guidance on restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services.

Guidance for venue managers

This guidance has been developed specifically for venues hosting wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations, and should be read in conjunction with other published COVID-secure guidance (see above).

Restrictions on capacity

No more than 30 people should attend a reception or celebration at such venues, and only where this can be safely accommodated with social distancing in a COVID-19 Secure venue.

This is the advised maximum number for all attendees at the event, including the couple and guests. It also includes any third-party suppliers, such as photographers or security. It does not include staff employed by the venue or third-party catering staff.

Test and Trace

The government has launched an NHS Test and Trace service to manage the risk of the virus re-emerging. The service:

provides testing for anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 to find out if they have the virus
gets in touch with anyone who has had a positive test result to help them share information about any close recent contacts they have had
alerts those contacts, where necessary, and notifies them they need to self-isolate to help stop the spread of the virus

Further information can be found online, including for people who have come into contact with possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

In line with government guidance for other venues including in the retail and hospitality sector, the venue manager should assist this service by keeping an accurate temporary record of visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for the venue, but sufficient to effectively assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed for contact tracing and the investigation of local outbreaks.

The NHS Test and Trace service will follow up with people who need to self-isolate because they have had close recent contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. NHS Test and Trace can be contacted by telephone on: 0300 013 5000. Venue managers do not need to contact visitors themselves.

Please see further guidance on maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace.

Enforcement

Where the enforcing authority, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or your local authority, identifies employers or venues who are not taking action to comply with the relevant public health legislation to control public health risks, they are empowered to take a range of actions to improve control of venue risks. Enforcement officers will take relevant guidance into account.

Failure to complete a risk assessment which takes account of COVID-19, or completing a risk assessment but failing to put in place sufficient measures to manage the risk of COVID-19, could constitute a breach of existing health and safety legislation.

The actions the enforcing authority can take include the provision of specific advice to venues to support them to achieve the required standard, through to issuing enforcement notices to help secure improvements. Serious breaches and failure to comply with enforcement notices can constitute a criminal offence, with serious fines and even imprisonment for up to 2 years. There is also a wider system of enforcement, which includes specific obligations and conditions for licensed premises.

Venue managers are expected to respond to any advice or notices issued by enforcing authorities rapidly and are required to do so within any timescales imposed by the enforcing authorities. Our expectation is that venues and venue managers will act responsibly and join with the UK’s fight against COVID-19 by working with the government and their sector bodies to protect their workers and the public. However, regulators are carrying out compliance checks nationwide to ensure that employers and venues are taking the necessary steps.

Normal Wedding Arrangements (Post Coronavirus Restrictions)

Nestled in the heart of The Chilterns, an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB), this hidden gem is the perfect place to celebrate your special day. We have the ideal combination of great spaces for entertaining, delicious food, first class hospitality and 25 years of experience in event planning - everything you need to make it the wedding of your dreams!

The Club has flexible space so we can create the right size and atmosphere for your event depending on numbers and requirements. The clubhouse, bar and function rooms all look over the impressive golf course setting with large windows and patios to take in the views. This stunning outside space creates the perfect backdrop for your photographs.

We can cater for up to 120 sit down guests in our spacious banqueting hall or 220 for a reception including private use of the bar area and patio. We offer an imaginative selection of menus for àl a carte, banquet, buffet or barbecue! Please do talk to us about your own thoughts and ideas on food.

A live band or disco can be arranged/ accommodated (complete with dance floor) and the bar is fully licensed with late option available.

We have a dedicated team to work with you to make your event everything you want it to be… and more! Come and meet us and have a look for yourself - please contact us to organise a guided tour and to begin planning your beautiful wedding.