Planning a wedding under normal circumstances is always challenging. Planning a wedding during a global health crisis is almost superhuman! Not only do you have to contend with the usual (guest list, seating arrangements, dietary restrictions - not to mention keeping everything under budget), you also have to contend with travel restrictions that vary state to state and ever changing capacities, dining rules, and who knows what else? To make planning your wedding a little easier, The Metropolitan Players has compiled a quick rundown of some of the basic social gathering requirements for New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey below.
This list is correct as of April 15, 2021and is by no means exhaustive. However, it should give you a good idea of what is and isn’t possible for your big day, depending on where you plan it!
There are a few requirements that are the same across the board:
Masks must be worn at all times, except while eating or drinking. Think of it as another fashion accessory!
Tables must be spaced at least 6 feet apart. One benefit of this requirement: no bumping into other guests chairs when you stand up!
The maximum capacity DOES NOT include the staff working your wedding. This means you can invite Uncle Jerry AND still have a fully staffed bar!
There must be 12 feet of space between musicians and any attendees or staff for the duration of your wedding/reception.
New York
There’s nothing quite like a New York wedding. 🚕 If you’ve chosen the Empire state for your nuptials, it’s important you keep in mind the following:
Dancing at your reception is allowed only if every single guest in attendance has taken a PCR Covid test 72 hours prior to the start of your wedding and has received negative results. Guests who are fully vaccinated do not need to test.
Each household must be assigned their own personal dance area no smaller than 36 square feet. That’s a 6’ by 6’ square or a circle with a radius of 3’5”.
Each dance area must be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
The maximum table capacity is 10 guests. You may mix households at tables.
The maximum capacity for indoor weddings is 50% of the venue capacity OR 150 people, whichever is lower. Your venue should be able to assist you with figuring out your allowed number of guests. If you are having your wedding inside a private residence, your maximum capacity is 10 people.
The maximum capacity for outdoor weddings is 200 people. If you are having your wedding outdoors at a private residence, your maximum capacity is 25.
Collecting guest information for contact tracing is required.
Guests traveling from another state are not required to quarantine. Guests traveling from non-contiguous states (anywhere except CT, NJ, VT, MA, NH, or PA) will need to fill out the New York Traveler Health Form.
Guests traveling from another country are required to quarantine for 10 days, unless they take a covid test 3-5 days after they arrive. If they choose to test, they can end their quarantine after 7 days.
Guests must be seated during cocktail hour if they are eating or drinking.
Connecticut
If you’ve decided Connecticut is the best place to hold your wedding, boy do we envy your guests! Keep the following requirements in mind as you plan your big day:
Dancing at your reception is allowed, so make sure you load that playlist with hits!
The maximum table capacity is 8 guests. You may mix households at tables.
The maximum capacity for indoor weddings is 100 people OR 50% of the venue capacity, whichever is lower. If you are holding your wedding inside a private residence, your maximum capacity is 25 people.
The maximum capacity for an outdoor wedding is 200 people. If you are having your wedding outside a private residence, the maximum capacity is 100 people.
You may place tables closer than 6 feet if there are non-porous (plexiglass, plastic, etc.) barriers between them.
Your wedding must end before 11 PM. Your venue may have to account for closing procedures so be sure to check with them about your end time!
New Jersey
If New Jersey is known for anything amongst the Met Players, it’s for being the location of some of the most memorable and awe-inspiring weddings we have attended! Below are the most important requirements for having your wedding in New Jersey:
Dancing at your reception is not currently allowed. While we are definitely bummed about this, we can still provide awesome music for you to enjoy while seated!
The maximum table capacity is 8 guests unless they are all from the same household.
The maximum capacity for indoor ceremonies is dependent on whether or not you have incorporated a religious element. If you have, the maximum capacity for an indoor ceremony is 50% of the venue capacity. If you do not incorporate a religious element into your ceremony, the maximum capacity is 35% of the venue capacity OR 150 people, whichever is smaller.
The maximum capacity for an indoor reception is 35% of the venue capacity OR 150 people, whichever is smaller.
There is no maximum capacity for outdoor weddings! The limit does not exist!
Guests must be seated whenever they are consuming food or beverage.
All out of state/country guests must quarantine for 7-10 days unless they are traveling from NY, PA, CT, or DE.
A global health crisis is a formidable enemy to any event that requires advanced planning (*cough cough* like a wedding *cough cough*). And while increased vaccinations and lower positivity rates are definitely a good sign, adhering to these safety measures will ensure a safe and memorable wedding for both you and your guests!
We can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎉
This post is for general informational purposes and does not intend to provide legal or financial advice. This information was correct, to the best of our knowledge, on April 15, 2021. All information stated here is subject to change based on updated requirements from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The Metropolitan Players are not medical professionals, epidemiologists, or experts in disease prevention or transmission. Government guidance and restrictions for events and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic vary by location. Before implementing any safety measures for your event, we recommend consulting the government guidance in your area, or your legal advisors.
This article was written by Metropolitan Players Event Coordinator, Lyndsay Manson
All photos in this post were taken by the fabulous Jennifer Larsen Photography
Resources:
New York
Connecticut
New Jersey