Getting married? CONGRATULATIONS! A wedding is always an exciting event that brings families and friends together. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has forced couples to either postpone their wedding indefinitely or make alternative plans. However, you may still be able to get married and enjoy the exciting journey ahead of you.
2. Website: https://www.aprincewill.com/ Phone: (905) 492-7662
Getting married? CONGRATULATIONS! A wedding is always an exciting
event that brings families and friends together. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has
forced couples to either postpone their wedding indefinitely or make alternative
plans. However, you may still be able to get married and enjoy the exciting
journey ahead of you.
Despite the Ontario government stay-at-home order, weddings are an exemption
for leaving home, within limits of course. To ensure your marriage is legally
valid, Ontario’s Marriage Act requires that the couple must have the following:
a licence,
an officiant and two witnesses, and
the wedding must take place “in the presence of” the officiant and the
witnesses.
The main point to note here is that in order to have a valid marriage, whether it is
conducted virtually or in person, ensure the witnesses and officiant are physically
present.
Despite COVID-19 causing gathering restrictions, the closure of banquet halls
and event spaces, and prohibiting indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, there
is still hope for you to have a little celebration! To help with the planning of your
wedding during these unprecedented times, the City of Toronto has provided
a guide that considers public health orders.
3. Website: https://www.aprincewill.com/ Phone: (905) 492-7662
Below are 6 points to note when planning your wedding during COVID-19:
1. If postponing the date or a virtual wedding is not an option, you can consider
an outdoor ceremony, a tented reception, a smaller indoor wedding, or even a
drive-in ceremony where guests remain in their vehicles. Vehicles must remain
two metres apart and can only contain members of the same household.
2. During your planning stages continue to stay informed of pandemic issues,
inquire about details and ask questions to the service providers you hire for your
special event, review any contracts and insurance policies for your own
protection, and be mindful of COVID-19 Guidelines for Indoor & Outdoor
Events & Gatherings.
3. Limit the number of guests to the following based on the type of event:
Wedding religious
service, rite, or
ceremony
Wedding reception / social
gatherings associated with the
wedding ceremony or religious
service
Indoor
10 people or less,
including officiant/staff
None permitted*
(*Exception for members of a
single household or one person
from outside the household of a
person that lives alone.)
Outdoor
10 people or less,
including officiant/staff
5 people or less
4. Masks are mandatory; however, the couple may remove their masks during the
wedding ceremony. At all other times, a mask must be worn when indoors and
when physical distancing is difficult.
Keep guests informed of precautions you are taking and advise them of the
mandatory requirement for them to wear masks prior to attending the event.
Masks may be removed by performers when behind a physical barrier that has a
window through which the music can be heard (e.g. singing or playing wind/brass
instrument), or engaging in physical activity (e.g. dancing).
Children under two years of age, people with health issues that make wearing a
mask difficult, and those who are unable to put on a mask without assistance are
exempted from wearing a mask.
4. Website: https://www.aprincewill.com/ Phone: (905) 492-7662
5. A wedding is not a wedding without music. However, singing, and musical
wind instruments can project respiratory droplets further than two metres and are
higher risk activities. Therefore, dancing, singing and the live performance of
brass or wind instruments are prohibited where food is served. The good news is
that you can use pre-recorded music or virtual performances.
6. Finally, keep an attendance list for contact tracing and encourage your guests
to download the COVID Alert app Opens in new window. If a guest becomes ill
during the service/reception, ask them to go home and self-isolate.
For more information about marriage during the Covid-19
pandemic contact our Pickering family law firm, AP Lawyers
in Markham & Scarborough.
Find us on Ourbis.ca or Foursquare.com.
Source: https://www.aprincewill.com/getting-married-during-covid-19-
pandemic/
