Photo: Bev Bell - Simply Inspired Photography Venue: Opihi Vineyard Timaru
You can now start to plan your 2020 Wedding!!. Today 7th May 2020 the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Arden advised us of what New Zealand would be like under Level 2. And we can celebrate and have a little more certainty now than before.
The rules on Gatherings Under Level 2 are as follows:-
You can attend gatherings of no more than 100 people, like weddings, funerals, family events, concerts, religious services and public meetings, provided public health measures (see conditions below) can be maintained.
You can have friends and family, but play it safe — keep surfaces clean, wash your hands, and keep the numbers low so you can practice safe distancing.
All gatherings outside of the home (indoors and outdoors) can have no more than 100 attendees, excluding staff like waiters. Indoor gatherings should be seated if possible, and should be approximately two hours long.
Food and drink consumption is fine at gatherings, so you can have food at wedding receptions or after a funeral or tangihanga. It should be prepared carefully and served individually, for example, not from a buffet.
Additional conditions on gatherings:
Physical distancing and infection prevention and control requirements must be met.
All gatherings should record attendees to ensure contact tracing can be conducted if necessary.
Hospitality guidelines regarding alcohol consumption need to be strictly adhered to.
You can’t participate in any gatherings or events if you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you need to be in isolation/quarantine for any reason.
New Zealand’s 4-level Alert System specifies measures we must take against COVID-19 at each level. Find out what each Alert Level means for you:
My suggestion is that Level 2 helps us make our guest list a little easier. The ceremony is really the most important moment. Its the key to your wedding day. Without your ceremony you are not married!. So it is really important to invite people that are the most important to you and maybe preferably those that live close by.
I love the group photo after the ceremony too, its that one photo that reminds you of all the people that celebrated your day with you. Make it a photo of all those people that support you, respect you and have been with you for a lifetime, I feel its wonderful to look back on and cherish.
You may also wish to facebook live your ceremony or use Zoom for those that can not travel from overseas so talk to YOUR CELEBRANT or Photographer/videographer about that.
First and foremost though is, Select your Venue, make sure you know how many it can accommodate before you make your list. Also remember to include yourself and your bridal party, videographer , MC and photographer if they are staying on for the Reception. For the Ceremony include YOUR CELEBRANT if they are not MC as well.
When selecting your Make up artist, Hairdresser, Celebrant, Photographer, any vendor in fact discuss with them initially what their safety suggestions are so you have a clear understanding and feel relaxed on the day. My job as a Celebrant is always to try and keep everyone as relaxed as possible so a clear understand beforehand is the key.
Lastly start planning and getting exited, your Dream Wedding is looking far more achievable!
Apply for your licence online at https://www.govt.nz/browse/family-and-whanau/getting-married/how-to-get-married-in-nz/
Select YOUR CELEBRANT - Sarah McCambridge by clicking on Personalised Ceremony.