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The wedding industry has 'given up' on Boris Johnson as new rules on ceremonies arrived just days before Monday's easing of Covid-19 restrictions in step three of the roadmap.
The new weddings guidance, which only arrived on Thursday and left the sector waiting until just days before next week's restriction changes, allow weddings of up to 30 people to take place from May 17.
The Government guidance also advises against dancing, apart from the first dance for the bride and groom, and allows groups of up to six musicians to perform indoors, among other restrictions.
But a UK Weddings Taskforce spokesperson claimed the rules are 'unfairly penalising' the sector, adding that the delay in receiving the guidance was 'completely unacceptable'.
© Provided by Daily MailNew weddings guidance, which only arrived on Thursday just days before Monday's restriction changes, allow weddings of up to 30 people to take place from May 17 (stock image)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the long-awaited easing of restrictions for May 17 at a Downing Street press conference on Monday - giving the green light to certain holidays abroad, overnight stays, indoor dining at pubs and restaurants and more.
Among other elements of the step three road map changes - the much-criticised cap on the number of mourners at funerals will be lifted, while up to 30 people will be allowed at weddings and other life events.
But there remains to be confusion within the wedding industry about why certain restrictions are remaining in place for the much-anticipated ceremonies.
Sarah Haywood, a UK Weddings Taskforce spokesperson, claimed people are 'giving up' on the Prime Minister and believe he could even do a U-turn on June 21.
She slammed the Government for publishing the guidance 'so late', claiming the delay and the lack of clarity in the new rules is 'completely unacceptable'.
Ms Haywood added that the new rules have seriously influenced many events which were scheduled for next week due to the fact that they did not arrive earlier.
© Provided by Daily MailBut a UK Weddings Taskforce spokesperson claimed the rules are 'unfairly penalising' the wedding sector, adding that people are 'giving up' on Boris Johnson (pictured on May 10)
She continued: 'It's dented consumer confidence.
'People are giving up now, they don't believe the Prime Minister isn't going to do a U-turn over June 21.
'(The guidance) kept not coming and not coming and not coming - now it's come out and had a significant impact on events next week.
'This is supposed to be a happy time for people planning their weddings.'
What will and won't be allowed at weddings from May 17?
The new weddings guidance will allow weddings of up to 30 people to take place from May 17.
The rules also advises against dancing, apart from the first dance for the bride and groom, and allows groups of up to six musicians to perform indoors, among other restrictions.
It also confirmed that apart from the couple's first dance, dance floors must stay closed unless used for additional seating to comply with social distancing, while close contact with guests remains a personal decision.
The government said that further advice on receptions, indoor performances and contact with guests will be issued before May 17.
Ministers are hoping that step four of the road map, which is due no sooner than June 21, will see the removal of all limits on life events such as weddings.
Some couples in the process of planning their weddings have been using the hashtag £WhatAboutWeddings to share the problems they are facing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
People are taking to social media to ask questions about the new guidance, including whether babies count towards the limit of 30 people, and why dance-floors must remain closed.
And some furious couples have questioned the lack of guidance over what will and won't be allowed at weddings this month - including queries on table service, social distancing measures and whether bride can be accompanied down the aisle.
Ms Haywood added: 'It is completely unacceptable that this guidance came out so late, and that now it has, it's not clear and it continues to be unfairly penalising our sector over others.
'We're being penalised because they've got some idea everybody's going to be hugging and kissing.
'We know exactly what's going to happen, when and where everybody's going to be sitting - there is no reason now for us to be left at 30.
'We understand why before, our activities needed to be curtailed, but we don't understand it now.
'At what point are they going to acknowledge that weddings are an important part of society? People want to get married.
'This is serious people running serious businesses, providing a service that's wanted.'
Anxious couples who have waited for more than a year for their special day have also slammed the government's lack of clarity on weddings.
Lyndsey Hedgecock, 28, is one bride who is set to be wed this month - and having dreamed of her big day since she was 14, she admitted her plans have become 'a joke'.
But a growing movement on social media is asking the government for greater clarity and guidance on what will and won't be allowed at English marriage ceremonies from next week.
Ms Hedgecock previously said that although there's just a week to go until her wedding, she and her husband-to-be haven't been able to pay their venue until more details have been confirmed.
© Provided by Daily MailGovernment guidance also advises against dancing, apart from the first dance for the bride and groom, and allows groups of up to six musicians to perform indoors (stock image)
'We are due to get married next Friday, and haven't even been able to pay our venue in full as they are awaiting guidelines to confirm what to charge us for,' she said.
'I can't speak for other brides, but for myself, the wedding I've been planning since I was 14 is now just a joke.
'I can't wait for this all to be over so I can carry on with my life. I don't care about a wedding anymore, we just want to be married.'
While Patrick O'Kelly, 30, from London, is due to marry his fiancee Jodie, 30, on June 5.
© Provided by Daily Mail He said that while he and his partner fully supported lockdown, they 'still find it frustrating that after the announcement we still don't know exactly what we can have on the day - meaning businesses are potentially losing out on our custom'.
'The wedding industry workers have had their livelihoods stripped away without being given the guidance and support in parity with other industries.
'We still aren't 100 per cent certain we can have a band perform to seated guests.
'The timings for the day are still uncertain, and my fiancee doesn't know if her father can walk her down the aisle.'
He said they were also still looking for specific guidance on whether they could have a dance floor, a standing drinks reception and a band.
A government spokesperson previously said: 'We are working with the wedding sector to facilitate a return to as near as normal as quickly as possible and understand the need for certainty to plan for the summer season.
'As set out in the road map, the government will increase limits for weddings, civil partnerships and receptions to 30 people at Step 3.'
The government said that further advice on receptions, indoor performances and contact with guests will be issued before May 17.
It also confirmed that apart from the couple's first dance, dance floors must stay closed unless used for additional seating to comply with social distancing, while close contact with guests remains a personal decision.
Ministers are hoping that step four of the road map, which is due no sooner than June 21, will see the removal of all limits on life events such as weddings.
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