Coronavirus restrictions: Bizarre new wedding rule limits 20 members of bridal party to the dance floor

Restrictions on weddings have finally been lifted in NSW but a strange rule remains for designated dancers.

Wedding restrictions in NSW have been eased to allow dancing three months after it was banned to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As a result of consistently declining coronavirus numbers, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Thursday dancing would be allowed again at weddings – but with a strange requisition.

Weddings held in the state are allowed to have as many as 150 guests under current coronavirus rules.

But when it comes to the dance floor, only 20 people will be allowed to let loose – while the other wedding guests watch on.

And, those lucky enough to strut their stuff will have to be designated in advance by the bride and groom.

“Bridal parties of up to 20 can be on the dance floor, but I stress, it is the same 20 – you cannot have a roster of different guests of 20,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It has to be only be the same, up to 20, who are part of the bridal party not just the bride and groom.”

RELATED: NSW relaxes virus restrictions

Weddings held in NSW are allowed up to 20 people on the dance floor – but they have to be chosen in advance and part of the bridal party. Picture: iStock

She went on to say it was “really important” this new relaxed rule was adhered to as weddings and other gatherings is where the virus is “most contagious and spreads most readily because people know each other”.

Until today, all guests were required to remain seated, while only the bride and groom were permitted to dance.

Now, as many as 20 members of the bridal party can put on their dancing shoes, while the rest of the guests watch on.

While the new rule may make for a bit of awkward wedding dancing (you still have to maintain the COVIDSafe distance of 4sq m from one another) – the slightly more relaxed rules have been met with applause online.

Facebook group Wedded Wonderland had been petitioning for a 20-person rule, posting after the Premier’s announcement about the decision.

“Finally!!! We have been driving a petition for dancing for up to 20 people (Bridal Party as per announcement – waiting on the specifics) and our Government has listened!!!” the post read.

A Facebook wedding community said the news was ‘exciting’ for couples across NSW. Picture: Facebook/Wedded Wonderland

“SO MANY incredible people behind the scenes have worked very hard to make this happen! We’re really excited for our Couples and our Industry.”

Streams of comments applauded the new rule, describing it as “amazing news” – but others called for details and specifics.

On Twitter, some delighted people shared memes expressing their joy at the slight easing.

Omg 😭😭😭😭 we were so sad that we wouldn’t get to dance with our friends and band! https://t.co/yITbt9dg81

— Uppy Chatterjee 💫 (@uppychatterjee) September 24, 2020

ME FINDING OUT I CAN DANCE WITH MY BRIDAL PARTY AT MY WEDDING pic.twitter.com/g4rc04cVOp

— Dominica Sanda (@dominikasanda) September 24, 2020

Apparently for weddings in Sydney, they need to provide a list of names of 20 people allowed to dance. Can they just allow everyone to dance as long as they're wearing masks? Or a Halloween-themed wedding so masks are mandatory in the dance floor? 😂 pic.twitter.com/dnOZ3aMxJ2

— Drei (@_drei) September 24, 2020

Other wedding restrictions will remain in place, including all guests being required to provide their name and contact details in case they’re needed for contact tracing purposes.

“Mingling” between guests is still not permitted and neither is singing as it can cause people to spit, possibly spreading the virus.

WEDDING RESTRICTIONS AROUND AUSTRALIA

• In NSW a maximum of 150 people are permitted to attend a wedding and must adhere to the 4sq m rule. All attendees need to provide their name and contact details so they can be contact traced if necessary. Dancing is also not permitted except for up to 20 members of the bridal party, including the bride and groom, determined ahead of the big day.

• In Queensland, weddings with a COVID-safe plan can have up to 100 attendees – weddings without a COVID-safe plan can have only 10 attendees.

• In metropolitan Melbourne weddings are currently banned unless granted an exemption on compassionate grounds. In regional Victoria weddings can have only five attendees (the couple, two witnesses and the celebrant).

• In South Australia, weddings are capped at 100 people and the bride and groom are only permitted one dance. Additionally food and beverages cannot be served from a communal area.

• In Western Australia, restrictions around weddings have been eased, except for events with over 500 people, where guests need to maintain 2 metres of social distance.

• In Tasmania, all larger gatherings are limited by the density of the area with guests required 2sq m per person. Venues are permitted up to 250 people in an enclosed space and 500 people in an undivided outdoor space.

• In the Northern Territory, any event with more than 100 people requires the bride and groom to complete a COVID-19 safety checklist. A wedding with more than 500 people in the NT would also need to complete this checklist and receive approval from the chief health officer in the state.

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