Following conversations with local wedding event businesses, Karen raised a point of order in the House of Commons.
Karen said,
"I have been contacted by many wedding events businesses today asking for clarity as they are receiving very worrying reports that they are not being permitted to open for weddings until the 17th May.
It appears you can have a wedding reception for 15 in a variety of venues from April 12th such as the frozen food aisle of your local supermarket but not a dedicated wedding venue.
I have asked Ministers for clarity and raised a point of order in the chamber this afternoon."
On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I wonder whether you can give me some assistance. You, like I, will have been grateful, I am sure, to see in the road map out of lockdown that weddings will be able to start again from 12 April when we enter step 2. However, guidance that was issued yesterday implies that bespoke dedicated wedding venues will not be able to hold weddings after 12 April and must wait until 17 May, leading to the bizarre conclusion that one might be able to marry in the frozen food aisle of a supermarket, but not in a dedicated wedding venue. I wonder, Mr Deputy Speaker, if you may be able to assist me in how I could raise that point with Ministers to get some clarity so that we can help those dedicated wedding venues and the people who want to get married in them.
