Sheffield wedding planner reveals couples are porting their wedding plans over to 2022

Following the Prime Minister’s ‘roadmap plan’ that was announced on February 22, the number of guests allowed to attend a wedding will soon increase.

On March 29, weddings can go ahead with six attendees, including the marrying couple - The ‘exceptional circumstances’ to get married will not remain after this date.

Up to 15 people will be allowed to attend a wedding ceremony and reception no earlier than April 12.

If everything goes to plan, guest lists can be increased to 30 people on May 17, and by June 21, the Government hopes to lift restrictions entirely, meaning all social contact rules and guest limits will be removed.

Inner city weddings in Sheffield is currently working hard to reorganise weddings that were cancelled through various restrictions brought in because of the pandemic.

Since 2015, the wedding planners have been involved in over 120 weddings across unique and innovative venues in the city, including Abbeydale Picture House, Trafalgar Warehouse, Bloc Projects and many others.

According to Elinor Softley, who runs Inner City Weddings, people are moving wedding plans to a later date or are changing their plans altogether.

She said: “So as far as weddings go, we’re currently in the process of working with all of our existing couples to try to accommodate the ever-changing guidelines and needs.

“We are being as flexible and supportive as we can and feel the struggle from both sides.

When we are allowed to do weddings again, we do have some couples who will have the six-person ceremonies. They are still keen to get married and do the legal bit and then come back later for a party when they can invite all of their friends and family.

“Many of our Spring 2021 couples are now postponing to much later in the year, or porting their plans over to 2022, whereas some are changing their plans altogether and downsizing to micro-weddings and elopements.

“Lots of people plan families and their whole life plan around a structured timeline, so if you’re asking people to delay their wedding, some people might think well; actually, this will impact our decision to have a family and when we want to do that.”

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The wedding industry has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Government’s restrictions; however, the latest announcement is a sign of hope for wedding planners, venues, and couples looking to tie the knot.

Elinor added: “We are hopeful and excited to return to a business that is viable and sustainable, and all of our thoughts and love is with those couples and small creative businesses in the supply chain who are wading through the murky waters of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We know better days will come, and we look forward to hearing the budget on March 3 to see what help and support will be in place for the thousands of hardworking people working in the wedding industry and event industry supply chains.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.