Last updated: September 7th, 2021. Click here for the latest information on wedding restrictions in Ireland.

If you're planning to get married in Ireland after September 6th, 2021, you may have questions about what you are and are not allowed to do on your wedding day. The Irish government have stated that weddings of up to 100 guests can take place, that live music and dancing will be permitted, and that a curfew of 11.30pm applies, but there are still a couple of issues causing confusion for engaged couples. So, today, we're sharing all the information we have on wedding restrictions in Ireland in September 2021 in an easy-to-use Q&A format.

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FAQ: Planning a Wedding in Ireland after September 6th 2021

WEDDING GUESTS

1. How many guests can attend my wedding? 100 guests will be permitted at wedding ceremonies and receptions from September 6th until October 21st, as stated here and here.
2. Do my guests have to be vaccinated to attend my wedding? As there's no mention of it here, it's safe to assume that there's no requirement for wedding guests to produce a vaccine passport in order to attend a wedding.
3. What about outdoor events at 75% capacity/indoor events at 60% capacity. Does this mean I can have as many guests at my wedding as these rules allow? No, the upper limit for weddings is still 100 guests until October 22nd, as stated here and here.
4. Are my children to be included in the number of guests? We've had lots of questions on this since it was announced that children would be included in the restrictions around general outdoor and indoor dining, but, unfortunately, it doesn't look like there are any exemptions for children at weddings, as they are not mentioned in the guidelines provided by Fáilte Ireland to Hotels and Guesthouses. We have sought clarification from the government on this, and have not been provided with a response.
5. Are my guests’ children to be included in the number of guests? We've had lots of questions on this since it was announced that children would be included in the restrictions around general outdoor and indoor dining, but, unfortunately, it doesn't look like there are any exemptions for children at weddings, as they are not mentioned in the guidelines provided by Fáilte Ireland to Hotels and Guesthouses. We have sought clarification from the government on this, and have not been provided with a response.
6. Are babies included in the number of guests? We've had lots of questions on this since it was announced that children would be included in the restrictions around general outdoor and indoor dining, but, unfortunately, it doesn't look like there are any exemptions for children at weddings, as they are not mentioned in the guidelines provided by Fáilte Ireland to Hotels and Guesthouses. We have sought clarification from the government on this, and have not been provided with a response. Given how attached newborns are to their parents, we would like to see an exemption introduced for babies in particular.
7. Does the priest, celebrant or officiant count in the 100 guests? Priests, celebrants and officiants are not wedding guests, so we're inclined to think that they're not to be included in guest numbers. However, we haven't been able to find any documents to back this one up.

WEDDING VENUES:

1. How late can the wedding go on until? As stated here, a curfew of 11.30pm will remain until October 22nd.
2. Are Day-Two gatherings permitted? Day-two events can take place in line with the outdoor and indoor gathering restrictions outlined here and here.
3. How many people can be seated at one table at my wedding reception? As stated here, the 6-to-a-table rule will remain until October 22nd.

TRAVEL FOR WEDDINGS:

1. Are couples/wedding guests permitted to travel from abroad to Ireland to attend a wedding? Yes. The government has advised citizens to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions. 
2. Are couples/wedding guests permitted to travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to attend a wedding? Yes. The government has advised citizens to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions.

WEDDING SERVICES:

1. Is live music permitted at a wedding ceremony or reception? As stated here, live music is permitted at weddings.
2. Is dancing permitted at weddings? As stated here, dancing is permitted at weddings, "but guests should emphasise personal responsibility."

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WEDDINGS:

1. What is best practice for mask wearing at a wedding? By law, you have to wear masks or face coverings in certain indoor settings, which are defined here. The government also advises wearing a mask or face covering when staying 2 metres apart from people is difficult, in busy indoor and outdoor spaces where a lot of people gather, and around people aged 70 or over or people who are medically vulnerable/unvaccinated. It’s worth bearing all of this in mind in advance of your wedding, and on the day itself. If you are providing face coverings for your guests, you should ensure that they comply with government guidelines given here. More guidelines on wearing face coverings are available here. For the wedding reception, we can look to Government public health advice on dining at restaurants for guidance. It states that you do not have to wear a face covering or mask while eating and drinking, but you should wear one anytime you’re not at your table, including when arriving at or leaving your table. Face coverings or masks must be worn by the staff during the service of the meal, according to the guidelines provided by Fáilte Ireland to Hotels and Guesthouses, which also state that guests should wear face coverings or masks when circulating around the outdoor dining and serving areas and using indoor facilities.
2. What is best practice for social distancing at a wedding? While no direct guidance has been provided by the government on social distancing at weddings, we can assume that physical distancing is recommended. The guidelines provided by Fáilte Ireland to Hotels and Guesthouses states that as much furniture as possible should be removed from rooms to ensure maximum space for social distancing at weddings and that there must be adequate spacing between guests at each table. The HSPC Guidance for Food Service Businesses states that physical distancing of at least 1 metre should be maintained between people seated at tables, and physical distancing of at least 2 metres should be maintained between separate tables, although this can be reduced to 1 metre in certain circumstances. It's worth thinking about your guests as belonging to separate household pods, and keeping this in mind when discussing seating arrangements with your ceremony and reception venues. The factors used by the HSE to determine who is considered a close contact of a person with Covid-19 might be useful in risk assessment, too. They can include more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of someone who has Covid-19, indoors or outdoors, and sometimes more than 2 hours in an indoor space with someone who has Covid-19. 
3. What is best practice for hand sanitising at a wedding? Government Public Health advice is to wash your hands properly and often, particularly when leaving and arriving at buildings, and before and after being in a crowd indoors or outdoors. According to the guidelines provided by Fáilte Ireland to Hotels and Guesthouses, the venue must ensure that hand sanitisers (including touchless dispensers where possible) are readily available and accessible to all, at each access point. If you are providing additional hand sanitisers for your guests, you should check that they are registered for use in Ireland - a list is available here. 

REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE:

1. Is the registry office open? Yes, but the online booking system for marriage notification appointments is not currently available due to the HSE cyber attack, as stated here. Normal services should resume soon.
2. If a couple needs to change their wedding date due to Covid-19 restrictions, do they need to reapply for their marriage license? Yes. The HSE have confirmed to us by email that, if a couple has already had their marriage notification appointment, and received their marriage license, but now need to change their date, they will have to reapply, but they will not be charged the statutory fee of €200 again.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES:

1. Are the Catholic Church permitting wedding ceremonies on a Sunday? Traditionally, Catholic ceremonies didn’t take place on Sundays in Ireland, but, since the pandemic, some dioceses have allowed them. Reports from couples suggest that the policy on this varies from priest to priest, and diocese to diocese, so it’s best to contact your priest, and/or the priest in the church where you hope to get married, to find out more.

WEDDINGS IN OCTOBER 2021 AND BEYOND:

1. When will wedding guest numbers increase further? All wedding restrictions are due to be lifted on October 22nd, 2021. The only restrictions still in place after this date are the instructions to self-isolate when you have Covid-19 symptoms and wear a mask in healthcare settings, indoor retail and on public transport.

We've created lots of helpful content around Covid and weddings. You'll find it all here.