Couples can say I do… but wedding receptions in your home are illegal

Wedding ceremonies can now take place in Blackburn with Darwen but couples are advised not to hold receptions.

Parties in homes or gardens are illegal because of the new local restrictions covering Blackburn with Darwen as a “higher risk area.”

Previously couples could have up to 30 people at a wedding reception following the ceremony to celebrate their big day.

However, the Prime Minister announced nationally that from July 31, it was Government guidance that wedding receptions or parties should not be happening.

Further restrictions are also in place in Blackburn with Darwen because it is a high risk area.  Here in Blackburn with Darwen, it is illegal to have people outside of your household coming into your home and garden.

Therefore, couples are not permitted to hold wedding parties in their home or garden with people they do not live with.

People living outside the area may travel into Blackburn with Darwen to attend a wedding ceremony, but should not go into a private home or garden afterwards.

Council leader Councillor Mohammed Khan, from Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

I know it is difficult not being able to celebrate weddings with family and friends but we must all work together to defeat this virus.

Please do not hold receptions or parties, particularly in your home, and follow the Government guidance which is in place to save lives.”

Superintendent Andrea Barrow of Lancashire Constabulary’s East Division, said:

We’ve all sacrificed so much and we’ve been right there alongside you, missing weddings, births and funerals, family gatherings and parties and during Easter, Ramadan and Eid.

It’s so important that we continue to do the right thing and follow the rules, so we don’t undo the great work done so far.

The rules are there to protect people and a lot of our outbreaks are now coming from homes and residential gatherings. That’s why we need people not to socialise with anyone outside of their household and not to have people around in their house and gardens.

We will continue to engage, educate and encourage people to act responsibly to stop the spread of this virus, but when needed we will enforce the regulations.

We will use the enforcement options available to us when necessary. This includes dispersing gatherings, removing individuals and directing people to return home. Fixed penalty notices are another enforcement option available that can be used when people do not comply with directions to disperse and return home.  Doing the right thing is in the interest of everyone’s health and compliance will help us get back to doing the things we love again, sooner.”

The guidance will be reviewed on August 15 at the earliest.

Further information has been added to the FAQ page on the Council’s website: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/coronavirus/faqs