In addition to weddings, Phase 3 includes gyms, museums and casinos among other businesses, but bars and nightclubs remain in phase 4, including during weddings. Updated: May 27, 2022 / 05:08 PM EDT. Massachusetts is raising its ceiling for large gatherings just in time for wedding season. Valley View Farm in Haydenville is a popular destination for weddings in Western Massachusetts. In the age of COVID-19, the lobby of a modern apartment building is the new hotel ballroom. Signed into law on December 27th, 2020, provides critical pandemic aid to Americans, while securing federal agency operations through September 2021. (photos provided) Massachusetts enters phase three of its reopening plan Monday, and it comes with good news and bad news for those looking to tie the knot. Wedding guest list numbers will be slashed from Tues in Massachusetts to help curb the spread of COVID-19. In the wake of concerning signs that COVID-19 cases were beginning to creep back up in Massachusetts, Gov. Stay home and isolate for at least the first 5 days. BOSTON ( WWLP) State public health officials reported 28 new confirmed deaths and 1,713 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts. Photos from before the pandemic show at The Log Cabin in Holyoke what weddings used to look like before COVID-19 as venues and planners find a way forward for the industry. As the state moves into Phase 3, weddings can resume in Massachusetts with restrictions. Our wedding reception is at the Polish American Citizens Club in Ludlow. NAHANT, Mass. Swap vows and congratsyoure married! Wedding planners said they encourage couples to share plenty of information about how theyre handling COVID-19 precautions on invitation inserts and frequently updated wedding websites. Baker announces big day for wedding venues across Massachusetts. According to state guidelines, indoor gatherings will be limited to eight people per thousand square feet, but should not include more than 25 people. One local wedding planner said phones have been going off the hook. On Thursday, Massachusetts governor announced when wedding venue capacity restrictions would be eased, making a lot of brides happy. Those restrictions were never lifted and Michelle says they were encouraged by their Some who own and operate wedding venues and Massachusetts are growing frustrated and concerned following Gov. More than a year into the pandemic, receptions are still being canceled and postponed due to capacity restrictions. But like many other businesses, they had to adapt to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Wedding ceremonies cost $75 and last about 15 minutes. It hosted 15 weddings and about 30 other types of events last year and had booked 30 weddings for 2020 before the coronavirus hit, Narcus said. Keri Acheson's wedding is set for September 19, but she's not sure if the celebration she imagined will happen. Saphire said the maximum capacity of 25 guests is just not feasible. The Massachusetts hotel also held an event with 190 guests the day after the more than 300-person wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic. GARDNER, Mass. April 21, 2021 at 10:40 pm EDT. "It's really not a reopening. Saphire owns several wedding venues in Massachusetts, including The Villa. Here, a resource guide full of our advice for COVID weddings, both for couples who are in the midst of planning as well as for their friends, family and guests. The state of emergency in Massachusetts will also end on June 15. Teresa, on March 7, 2022 at 10:36 AM. Engaged couples are getting creative She and her fianc were planning a big wedding in May, with 275 guests. Charlie Baker announced a series of moves Friday aimed at stopping the spread.. February 25, 2021 at 11:06 pm EST By Malini Basu, Boston 25 News. Learn about COVID-19 mask requirements in Massachusetts. Yes. Massachusetts COVID-19 Daily Report: 12 new deaths, 3,092 new cases. While event planners and venue owners are excited, they are encouraging brides and grooms to manage their expectations. Karen MINASYAN / AFP/Getty Images) Venues will be hit hard with the new legislations. April 28, 2021. Updated: Jun 1, 2022 / 05:19 PM EDT. Wedding venues like the Lakeview Pavilion already have couples coming in to tour the place. In 2019, the average With vaccination rates continuing apace and infection rates trending downward, Gov. If you never had symptoms or symptoms are improving,* may resume most usual activities (except those that do not allow mask wearing) on day 6**. On the big day, dont forget to bring your marriage license and an ID. A hotel in Massachusetts was reportedly fined $600 for hosting two events over the weekend in violation of the states coronavirus restrictions. We had probably 60 or 65 percent of our weddings in 2020 moved to 2021, said Ted Daniels, Many couples have scrambled to postpone their big day until everyone can gather again. Uchenna, Mar 27, 2022 8 110 1. BOSTON ( WWLP) State public health officials reported 6 new confirmed deaths and 5,060 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts. Charlie Baker said. Stay home and isolate for 10 days. The rapid spread of COVID-19 and the travel bans and warnings about social distancing that have come with it is wreaking havoc on the $78 billion wedding industry. Dates are filling up fast near the city as well. COVID restrictions cut that way down. Theres a catch with those numbers, however: The Knot says the guest count is still lower than it was pre-pandemic. Capacity Restrictions To Be Eased For Restaurants, Venues And Weddings In Massachusetts. Individual businesses are allowed, Baker said, to require masks or Patriots cheerleader Alicia Capone got engaged on the field at Gillette Stadium. Michelle and Tim, of Franklin, Massachusetts, were putting the final touches on their May 15 Newport wedding when COVID-19 hit. COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill. Updated: Jun 6, 2022 / 05:11 PM EDT. Posted: May 27, 2022 / 05:08 PM EDT. Ceremony only locations - Springfield, ma area. Face coverings are As 25 Investigates found, some wedding venues are offering full refunds while others continue to enforce pre-pandemic contracts. Wear a mask around others for 10 days (including in the household) No. (Mass Appeal) Now that Massachusetts has moved into Phase 3 of its reopening plan, weddings up to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors are allowed. COVID-19 has been disastrous for the wedding industry. That date could come earlier depending on key public health metrics around vaccination, hospitalizations and case counts, Gov. We were like, lets just wait, maybe the restrictions will be lifted in time for us to have our dream wedding on our ideal date, explained Michelle. It's basically a continued closure," Saphire said. by: Nick DeGray. By Joy Dumandan, Boston 25 News June 24, 2020 at 7:27 pm EDT. . Includes modifications and extension of the Families More than a year into the COVID-19 restrictions that have reshaped much of public life, Massachusetts now has a target date for when its business and capacity limits are set to be lifted: Aug. 1, 2021. Many of you are faced with difficult decisions impacting your wedding amid the COVID-19 pandemic. BOSTON "We've been planning the past two years," said Keri Acheson, a bride-to-be. Effective April 18, 2022, as a result of a change in federal policy, masks are no longer required on public transportation including on the MBTA (except on The Ride), commuter rail, buses, ferries, and airplanes, or while in rideshares (Uber and Lyft), taxis, and livery vehicles. In Phase 3, he is allowed to have outdoor events with up to 100 people, but his indoor ballrooms sit empty. Massachusetts wedding venue operators say they're losing business to rivals in New Hampshire, where the rules on gatherings are more flexible. When youre eligible, how to make an appointment, and everything else you need to know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts.