Like most places, Washington DC has been loosening COVID-19 restrictions by allowing higher capacity at certain events. However, the nation’s capital is banning dancing and standing at weddings, much to the dismay of engaged couples.
Under an order issued by Mayor Muriel Bowser on April 26, wedding capacity is limited to 25 percent capacity or up to 250 people, whichever is less. Weddings with more than 250 attendees require a special waiver. Even with increased capacity, however, wedding guests must remain socially distant and seated. Standing and dancing are prohibited.
A spokeswoman for the mayor’s office told Fox 5 DC that the ban is in place as an extra layer of safety to minimize coronavirus spread. People are more likely to come in close contact while standing and dancing versus staying seated.
“It’s insane; it’s been an absolute roller coaster,” says Stephanie Sadowski, a wedding planner and the owner of SRS Events in Washington DC.
Sadowski says the ban has left some frustrated couples scrambling to move their weddings out of DC. Couples are now looking into getting married in their hometowns, Virginia, or Maryland. Virginia is allowing 50 guests indoors and 100 outdoors. However, those numbers will be raised to 100 indoors and 250 outdoors on May 15. And in Maryland, indoor and outdoor wedding venues are allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity.
“It has been a complete curveball. This goes beyond just May weddings that are initially affected. All of our summer weddings, all of our fall weddings are also very concerned and asking what should we do,” Sadowski told the outlet.
