Looks like weddings of 100 guests might go ahead this August, under one condition

Today, pubs and restaurants around the country prepare to open their doors to the fully vaccinated as restriction lift on indoor dining and drinking thanks to the new Covid certification system. And now it seems that weddings might be allowed to use them to increase their numbers from 50 to 100 guests.

In somewhat of a surprise last week, Tainiste Leo Varadkar backtracked on the government promise to open up weddings to 100 people come August 5. Saying that nothing had been confirmed but that he would advise couples to plan for 50 instead of 100, the lack of clarity in his statement put many couples into a state of panic.

Given an exemption, weddings have been allowed to continue through the pandemic, though for much of this year they were reduced to just 10 people – the couple, their witnesses and six others. In May, that stretched to six guests indoors, 25 outdoors.

By June, the government announced plans to go to 25 for an indoor reception, 50 by July and 100 by August. Unfortunately, the delay in indoor dining and the surge of the delta variant has pushed us into a fourth wave and the government into an awkward spot.

Not wanting to renege on its promises, according to The Times Government are now looking at using the Covid certification to allow couples to increase their wedding reception numbers from 50 to 100. While specific details are not known, it’s expected to be discussed in Cabinet this week with an announcement of plans for August 5 due by Friday, July 30.

Anticipating the promised increase to 100 guests by August, many couples moved their planned dates out to accommodate more numbers with many left wondering if they’ll have to start uninviting family and friends.

We’ll have to wait and see what it confirmed, but while the news might be a comfort to brides and grooms it only further muddies the water when it comes to having a wedding in August. Don’t send out those 100 invitations just yet.