Conducting COVID-Safe Weddings: Rules and Restrictions for the Wedding Industry
Last updated date: January 31, 2022
Here at Easy Weddings, we’re continually monitoring the impact of coronavirus on the Australian wedding industry.
Throughout this challenging time, the thing we’ve heard most from couples and wedding vendors alike is how hard it is to stay up to date with the latest government regulations and rules for hosting a COVID-Safe wedding in Australia.
In response, we’ve developed the following COVID Wedding Restrictions Tracker for couples and industry pros. This page will be updated twice a week — on Mondays and Thursdays — with the latest state-by-state announcements and developments.
We hope you’ll join us in following and promoting the latest COVID-Safe wedding practices so that we can all get back to celebrating as soon as possible.
Here at Easy Weddings, we’re continually monitoring the impact of coronavirus on the Australian wedding industry.
Throughout this challenging time, the thing we’ve heard most from couples and wedding vendors alike is how hard it is to stay up to date with the latest government regulations and rules for hosting a COVID-Safe wedding in Australia.
In response, we’ve developed the following COVID Wedding Restrictions Tracker for couples and industry pros. This page will be updated twice a week — on Mondays and Thursdays — with the latest state-by-state announcements and developments.
We hope you’ll join us in following and promoting the latest COVID-Safe wedding practices so that we can all get back to celebrating as soon as possible.
State by State COVID Wedding Rules
VIC
Vaccination Status:
Church weddings: No vaccination requirements apply
Public venue weddings: If you are fully vaccinated, have a valid medical exemption, or you are under the age of 12 and 2 months, you can attend a wedding at a wedding venue. If you do not meet these requirements, you may not attend.
Public outdoor weddings: No vaccination requirements apply
Private home and home rental accommodation weddings: No vaccination requirements apply, however it is strongly recommended that all attendees are fully vaccinated.
Density Limits: 1 person per 2 square metres for public wedding venues
Guest Numbers: No caps except for what is permitted by your wedding venue
Masks: Must be worn indoors at weddings
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: Allowed
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/vic
NSW
Vaccination Status: No requirement
Density Limits: No requirement
Guest Numbers: No cap
Masks: Required indoors and in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions, however, it is strongly recommended that food and beverages are only consumed while seated
Dancing: Allowed
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/nsw
QLD
Guest Restrictions:
Public venue weddings: No density limits apply for weddings where all attendees are fully vaccinated. If one person is unvaccinated, a maximum of 20 people can attend.
Public outdoor weddings: No vaccination requirements apply
Private home weddings: No vaccination requirements apply, however, guest numbers are capped at 100
Masks: Required indoors except when seated, and in rideshare situations
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/qld
WA
Vaccination Status: Proof of vaccination required for all people aged 16 and over at all hospitality and licensed venues and events larger than 500.
Density Limits: None
Guest Numbers: No caps
Masks: Required in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: No restrictions
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/wa
SA
Density Limits:
- 3 people per 4 square metres when seated indoors (excluding staff)
- 1 person per 2 square metres when seated outdoors (excluding staff)
Guest Numbers: If at a private residence, weddings are limited to 10 people.
Masks: Not required by the bridal party during the ceremony, but required indoors (unless eating or drinking) and in rideshare situations.
Singing: Permitted in groups while wearing a mask. Individual performers do not need to wear a mask.
Eating & Drinking: Seated service only. Communal dining not allowed.
Dancing: Only allowed by the bridal couple.
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/sa
ACT
Density Limits: If more than 25 people are attending, 1 person per 2 sqm applies indoors.
Masks: Required indoors except when eating and drinking
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: No restrictions
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/act
NT
Vaccination Status: Proof of vaccination must be shown to enter pubs and restaurants
Density Limits: None
Guest Numbers: No restrictions
Masks: Required in all indoor and outdoor settings except when eating or drinking or exercising.
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: No restrictions
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/nt
TAS
Density Limits: 1 person per 2 sqm
Guest Numbers:
Public venue weddings: 250 people indoors or 500 outdoors
Private home weddings: 100 people total can attend a wedding at a residential property
Masks: Required in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: Permitted
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/tas
Planning a COVID-Safe wedding? Staying on the pulse of your local government rules and regulations is critical to keeping you and your guests safe. We’ll do our best to keep you apprised of updates as they’re announced. You can sign up for our weekly newsletter for couples here, or join our wedding supplier network for vendor-specific announcements.
We also encourage you to keep in the loop of press conferences and updates from your local health officials. You can visit state-by-state announcements via Health Direct to discover the latest COVID wedding restrictions in VIC as well as COVID wedding rules in NSW, ACT, QLD, NT, SA, TAS & WA.
FAQ
Easy Weddings is committed to bringing you the latest news as it relates to COVID-Safe weddings in VIC, NSW, ACT, SA, QLD, WA, NT, and TAS. We’ll be updating this page every Monday and Thursday morning by 11 am. We’re doing our best to keep ourselves and our industry informed of the latest wedding-related coronavirus news, but there may be a delay between government announcements being made and our updates.
Get our latest updates here. You can also sign up for our weekly couples’ newsletter to receive updates directly to your inbox.
Having a COVID Safety Plan in place is a requirement in most Australian states. In VIC, NSW, QLD and SA, it’s required that hosts record attendee details for contact tracing purposes. Of course, for couples, it’s very likely that you’ll have your wedding guests’ info readily available. Wedding suppliers, vendors and contractors should also provide couples with the contact tracing details of any staff members that will be on-site.
Each state in Australia has a different plan in place for managing coronavirus wedding restrictions. For more info on your state’s rules, please refer to the relevant section above for details. A government source we’ve found useful is Health Direct’s COVID-19 Restrictions Checker by State.
It depends on your state’s restrictions and your venue’s COVID Safety Plans and postponement policies.
Across Victoria, many couples have postponed their weddings to mid or late 2021, some into 2022.
In many places, popular wedding dates are in high demand, appealing to both the couples who are newly engaged and those who are postponing their weddings. What does that mean if you haven’t yet booked your wedding package, venue or suppliers? You could face difficulty setting a date in the earlier months of 2021, as demand is at an all-time high, especially in states that have been hit by COVID.
Our team of wedding planners throughout Australia make planning a wedding during coronavirus easier, as they know what venues have COVID Safety Plans in place and what availability is like across various venues.
Your wedding invitations will need to include a little extra info this year to put your guests at ease. We’ve addressed all your COVID wedding invitation concerns in this article about how to write invitations right now.
If you’re hosting your wedding at an established venue, the events manager or coordinator should be up to date with the latest local rules and regulations. They typically take on enforcing those rules with suppliers and guests as well as educating their couples about any new restrictions.
Reach out to your venue and your suppliers to coordinate any amendments to your wedding plans and ensure you’re all practising within the latest guidelines.
Across the wedding industry, many suppliers and venues are taking on the additional costs of extra cleaning supplies and extra staffing needed for COVID-Safe weddings.
However, some couples might opt to add small things like customised masks for their guests or extra hand sanitiser that’s branded with the wedding logo.
Larger investments might include moving your wedding to an outdoor wedding venue and bringing in an open-air marquee.
Most venues and suppliers will cover this in their COVID wedding safety agreement or waiver. Usually, it’s the couple who is on the hook for any fines that might be incurred due to not following the local rules. The venue will usually be responsible for breaking up any activity at the wedding that’s deemed unsafe.
It depends on your state’s advice, but it’s usually a safety checklist and guidebook to outline things like contact tracing, hygiene practices, dining rules and dancing restrictions. Most venues will be across these plans.
Here’s more information on COVID Safety Plans for weddings in NSW, QLD, NT, ACT, TAS, SA, and WA.
Yes, weddings may go ahead in metro Melbourne and regional Victoria. Refer to the restriction checker for Victoria, or visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/vic
Yes, weddings are currently permitted in metro Sydney and regional NSW.
For further details visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/nsw
Weddings may go ahead in metro Brisbane and regional QLD at the moment but are subject to some vaccination requirements.
Check the restrictions tracker on this page, or for more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/qld
Weddings in Perth and WA may proceed without capacity limits.
Dancing is permitted.
Masks are not required.
Proof of vaccination required for 16+ at all hospitality and licensed venues.
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/wa
Weddings may proceed in SA with density limits and other restrictions on eating, drinking and dancing.
Check the restrictions tracker on this page, or for more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/sa
Yes, outdoor weddings of up to 1,000 attendees are permitted; or up to 250 people indoors at an events venue. No more than one person per two square metres and dancing is permitted.
Backyard or at-home weddings are limited to 100 people, excluding those who live on the premises.
Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/tas
Weddings can proceed in Canberra and ACT with a few restrictions. 1 person per 2 square metres applies to guest lists over 25 in an indoor setting.
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/act
Weddings may proceed unrestricted with the exception of mask rules in the Northern Territory.
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/nt
Further Reading
Articles About COVID-Safe Weddings
Whether you’re virtually streaming your wedding for all of your guests or those who can’t attend from overseas or out-of-state, here are some tips for streaming your wedding.
Communicating with your guests is especially important as COVID Safety rules are changing and as you make changes to your wedding plans. Here, our wedding planners share tips on how to communicate clearly with your wedding guests.
Articles About Planning A Wedding During COVID-19
Recently engaged? In this article, our wedding planner shares wedding planning tasks you can do in any stage of lockdown.
If you’re looking for styling and design tips for a small wedding, we’ve got you covered in this article. Here’s how to make an intimate wedding feel simply gorgeous.
Honouring your original wedding date (if you’ve had to postpone) is a great way to keep your spirits high during coronavirus.
Wellness Articles for Couples During Coronavirus
In this article, three top Australian wellness industry leaders share mindset hacks for couples during stressful times.
A licensed clinical psychologist shares tips on how to nurture your relationship during a global pandemic in this blog post.
Have you had to postpone your wedding because of coronavirus? You’re not alone! Here’s advice from other couples going through the same thing.
COVID Wedding Rules for Suppliers
Not yet listed with Easy Weddings? You can sign up here.
While the wedding industry is beginning to recover from coronavirus in most Australian states, there is a mix of information about COVID-Safe weddings floating around the web.
As the upcoming weeks and months are likely to bring more announcements, press conferences and changes, we’ve launched this new COVID-19 Wedding Restriction Tracker to bring you the most relevant news from your state in a simple, visual format.
This page will be updated by 11 am Monday and Thursday to include any changes across each Australian state.
VIC
Vaccination Status:
Church weddings: No vaccination requirements apply
Public venue weddings: If you are fully vaccinated, have a valid medical exemption, or you are under the age of 12 and 2 months, you can attend a wedding at a wedding venue. If you do not meet these requirements, you may not attend.
Public outdoor weddings: No vaccination requirements apply
Private home and home rental accommodation weddings: No vaccination requirements apply, however it is strongly recommended that all attendees are fully vaccinated.
Density Limits: 1 person per 2 square metres for public wedding venues
Guest Numbers: No caps except for what is permitted by your wedding venue
Masks: Not required at weddings, but required in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: Allowed
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/vic
NSW
Vaccination Status: No requirement
Density Limits: No requirement
Guest Numbers: No cap
Masks: Required indoors and in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions, however, it is strongly recommended that food and beverages are only consumed while seated
Dancing: Allowed
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/nsw
QLD
Guest Restrictions:
Public venue weddings: No density limits apply for weddings where all attendees are fully vaccinated. If one person is unvaccinated, a maximum of 20 people can attend.
Public outdoor weddings: No vaccination requirements apply
Private home weddings: No vaccination requirements apply, however, guest numbers are capped at 100
Masks: Required indoors except when seated, and in rideshare situations
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/qld
WA
Vaccination Status: Proof of vaccination required for all people aged 16 and over at all hospitality and licensed venues and events larger than 500.
Density Limits: None
Guest Numbers: No caps
Masks: Required in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: No restrictions
For more info visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/wa
SA
Density Limits:
- 3 people per 4 square metres when seated indoors (excluding staff)
- 1 person per 2 square metres when seated outdoors (excluding staff)
Guest Numbers: If at a private residence, weddings are limited to 10 people.
Masks: Not required by the bridal party during the ceremony, but required indoors (unless eating or drinking) and in rideshare situations.
Singing: Permitted in groups while wearing a mask. Individual performers do not need to wear a mask.
Eating & Drinking: Seated service only. Communal dining not allowed.
Dancing: Only allowed by the bridal couple.
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/sa
ACT
Density Limits: If more than 25 people are attending, 1 person per 2 sqm applies indoors.
Masks: Required indoors except when eating and drinking
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: No restrictions
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/act
NT
Vaccination Status: Proof of vaccination must be shown to enter pubs and restaurants
Density Limits: None
Guest Numbers: No restrictions
Masks: Required in all indoor settings except when eating or drinking
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: No restrictions
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/nt
TAS
Density Limits: 1 person per 2 sqm
Guest Numbers:
Public venue weddings: 250 people indoors or 500 outdoors
Private home weddings: 100 people total can attend a wedding at a residential property
Masks: Required in rideshare situations
Eating & Drinking: No restrictions
Dancing: Permitted
For more info visit:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid19-restriction-checker/weddings-funerals-religions-services/tas
FAQ
In most states, the wedding venue is responsible for the collection of attending guest information along with a COVID-Safe plan. Our COVID Wedding Restrictions Tracker above indicates which states and services need to register all clients they come in contact with.
Please confirm with the venue prior to the wedding to ensure you do not have to track guests and suppliers.
Venues in SA must elect and register a COVID-Safe marshal. It is not a requirement in any other state, however, we do recommend that all suppliers nominate a staff member to patrol adherence to restrictions for both staff members, couples, and guests. Source: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/business-and-work/covid-marshals
Highly recommend making all tracking and tracing contact-less. Here are some options:
- Brisktable is designed specifically for hospitality venues
- 1Breadcrumb
- COVID-Comply
- Contact Harald is a wearable tech device that protects the health of your employees, their private information and data
- Swiped On’s Visitor Management System
Small costs should be absorbed if possible — things like cleaning supplies are a great example of supplier costs to absorb. Any larger costs — like extra staffing or additional hire items — that you might like to pass onto the couples should be included in any new contract terms and conditions going forward.
It is everyone’s responsibility to understand the restrictions and rules of how to conduct a COVID-Safe wedding.
Generally, it will be the responsibility of the venue to control inappropriate behaviours on the wedding day. It is important that the venue and all suppliers are in contact with each other prior to the wedding day to ensure they are all following COVID-Safe procedures. You’re also responsible for your staff’s behaviours, so you’ll want to ensure they’re all up to date on the latest protocols.
The venue and/or wedding planner should communicate the COVID Safety Plan with the couple, and the couple should communicate this info to their guests prior to the day. A post in their wedding Facebook group, SMS or group email is a great way to communicate this info with guests.
Yes — all staff, regardless of position, need to complete COVID-19 Infection Control Training and must have the certifications available onsite at all times. To complete the online training visit health.gov.
There’s a lot you can do to keep the experience a positive one for couples and their wedding guests.
Check out our panel webinar on How to Run a COVID-Safe Wedding for ideas from top industry suppliers across different business categories and Australian states. Or ask the Wedding Supplier Network, our online wedding industry community, to make suggestions based on your specific business and state.
Are you a couple looking for more info about the latest wedding restrictions? Head to the start of our COVID Wedding Restrictions Tracker.
The National Covid-19 Commission Advisory Board has developed a planning tool to help businesses reopen and be COVIDSafe. Here’s the approved COVID-Safe template.
In most states, the wedding venue is responsible for the overarching COVID-Safe plan, however, all wedding suppliers should have and adhere to a COVID-Safe plan for their operations both internal and external. For private weddings, the wedding planner or couple is responsible developing and managing guests to adhere to a COVID-Safe plan.
Download the government-approved COVID-Safe plan here https://pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/my-business-covidsafe-plan-update-19-08-2020.pdf
Further Reading for Wedding Suppliers
In most states, the wedding venue is responsible for the overarching COVID-Safe plan, however, all wedding suppliers should have and adhere to a COVID-Safe plan for their operations both internal and external. For private weddings, the wedding planner or couple is responsible developing and managing guests to adhere to a COVID-Safe plan.
Download the government-approved COVID-Safe plan here https://pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/my-business-covidsafe-plan-update-19-08-2020.pdf
Disclaimer: We’re happy to be a reliable source of redistributing information within the Australian wedding industry. Please be advised that this content is by no means legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Our Easy Weddings COVID-Safe Wedding Guidance Tool is meant to be used as a supplemental information destination that promotes safe wedding practices that are in line with the Australian government’s COVID-19 safety advice. When possible, we have linked all appropriate government bodies as sources of more detailed information.
See something missing or something wrong? Let us know. We strive to keep our COVID information updated but restrictions are changing frequently.