We keep hearing the word "unprecedented" and it really is, what a strange world we are all living in right now.
We've had many heartbreaking conversations with our couples that had been due to get married in the first half of this year. All but a few have had to postpone their wedding and those few have had to opt for a much smaller wedding than planned and even they will depend on the Governments review of lockdown in the coming weeks.
At the moment there will be no weddings from 23 March to 13 April 2020.
If restrictions on weddings are lifted it is likely that guest numbers will be very limited, as they were before the complete ban on weddings. The Registration Service had put restrictions in place for ceremonies until the end of June, which will mean that only 8 people can be present for marriages: the couple, 2 Registrars and 4 guests (of which two must be witnesses).
The Government have also closed all pubs, restaurants, bars and venues, which includes us. This means we have had to shut the venue in order to comply with Government restrictions. It also means we have had the unhappy task of requesting all of our April, May and June couples to postpone their wedding to a later date. Depending on the review of the lockdown we may need to ask couples booked from July onwards to do the same, we will know more about this in the coming weeks and will be in touch with you if you are affected.
We wish we had a magic wand that could make this awful situation disappear but we don't and we don't have the answers as to what will happen to weddings and events due to take place from July onwards, all we can do is wait for further news and then, if needed, help our couples find a new date to get married.
Rest assured we are a well established venue and we will still be here next year, so please don't be worried should you need to postpone your wedding.
We are thinking of everyone out there helping in the fight against the virus, whether that be by simply staying home, or volunteering, being a key worker or for all those that are risking their lives while saving others we salute you. You are all wonderful, wonderful people.
Stay safe.
The BG Team
