Following the government's announcement on 22 February 2021 which outlined the recovery roadmap for England, we are delighted to now have clarity around wedding and civil partnership ceremonies from 8 March 2021 onwards. We'd like to share this detail with you regarding ceremonies, funerals and commemorative events as follows - 

• From 8 March 2021, weddings and civil partnerships will be permitted with 6 attendees but only under exceptional circumstances.; for example, where one of those getting married or forming a civil partnership is seriously ill and not expected to recover or is due to undergo debilitating treatment or life-changing surgery. 
• From the 29 March, weddings and civil partnerships will be permitted with 6 attendees (in locations where covid security restrictions will allow them).  
• From no earlier than 12 April 2021, weddings, civil partnerships,  receptions, and commemorative events including wakes will be able to take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open). 
• From no earlier than 17 May 2021,  weddings, civil partnerships, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events including wakes can proceed with up to 30 attendees (in locations where covid security restrictions will allow them). 
• From no earlier than 21 June 2021 there will be no legal attendance limits placed on any life events. 

The government will announce one week in advance of each of these dates whether restrictions will be eased as planned, as before changes can be made in line with this timetable, its essential that the government criteria has been met. 
 
Covid safety measures (social distancing and facemasks) will still be in place to ensure everyone's safety until further notice 
 
We appreciate that whilst it's fantastic to finally see a way forward, these key steps are still subject to review and may still affect couples' plans. We expect our phone lines will be very busy but please rest assured we are here for all our couples and we will respond if you have any questions or queries. 
 
Until then we will continue following the guidence in place. 
 
If you have any queries regarding weddings or civil partnerships, please contact the Ceremony Team at alnwickreg@northumberland.gov.uk. 

Appointments   

We are still permitted to remain open for Notice of Marriage and Civil Partnership appointments, and parents can attend our offices to register births on an appointment basis. Please note that if you are looking to book a notice appointment, we are only able to take notices that are within 3 months of your marriage or civil partnership date.  Any notice appointments that are already booked will not need to be rescheduled.  
 
The Northumberland Registration Service will continue to be there to support and assist our couples and be assured we will provide updates as soon as anything changes.  

Funerals 

Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble. 

If you have any queries regarding funerals, please contact Bereavement Services at blyth.crematorium@northumberland.gov.uk.