New guidance on weddings and civil partnerships revealed including no singing or receptions

From July 4, ceremonies can be held with only 30 people, including the couple and people such as photographers, caterers and officiants.

Guidelines say that people should socially distance, hands must be washed before and after the exchanging of rings and receptions, if held, should be small with only two households being able to meet indoors.

More news: Limits on guests, new dates and lots of stress: How coronavirus has disrupted the weddings of these Wakefield couplesThe requirement to follow the one metre rule - or one metre with extra precautions - will likely rule out the tradition of a father walking his daughter down the aisle, unless they live in the same household.

Weddings have been banned across England since lockdown began on March 23.

The governement's advice states:

*Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies should be kept short and limit to the parts of a service that are legalling binding.

*A limit of 30 people, including the bride and groom, should attend.

*Hands should be washed before and after the exchanging of rings.

*Guests should keep to the two metre rule where possible, or one metre with extra safety measures.

*Venues should mark the floor with either tape or paint to help people maintain social distancing.

*There should be no food or drink consumed.

*No singing, shouting or playing music at a volume that means people will have to raise their voices.

*The playing of musical instruments that are blown should not be used.

The government advice also suggests changing traditional wedding layouts to avoid face-to-face seating, improving ventilation or using face masks.

The guidance also says receptions that are strongly advised not to take place at this time.