Weddings and pre-nups in the time of Covid

Written by admin

October 1, 2020

No less than 75% of couples are postponing their wedding due to COVID-19, according to research by Hitched. Of those, four out of five have decided to delay their nuptials until 2021. (1)

It’s estimated that the coronavirus pandemic has led the UK wedding industry to lose an estimated £4.8 billion due to a 32% drop in weddings taking place compared to 2019. (2) It’s also led some people to innovate with the UK’s first ever drive-through wedding taking place recently in Tring. (3)

The current situation

If you’re preparing to wed, here are the current government guidelines, as at 16th September 2020 (4):

  • England: Up to 30 people can attend weddings, civil ceremonies and sit-down receptions at a Covid-secure venue
  • Scotland: Up to 20 people can attend weddings and civil ceremonies. Receptions must follow social-gathering rules
  • Wales: Up to 30 people can attend weddings and receptions
  • Northern Ireland: Small outdoor weddings can occur (or indoors if someone is terminally ill) with guest numbers based on the venue’s risk assessment

If, in light of these changes, you’re considering postponing your wedding, you may be curious as to what affect the postponement could have on your pre-nuptial agreement once the delayed ceremony takes place.

  • Change of date

As most pre-nups factor in a delay of 6-12 months between the document being signed and the wedding taking place, your pre-nup should still be valid if the postponed ceremony occurs within that time frame. If your ceremony takes place outside of the time frame (or your pre-nup doesn’t include a delay) you may have to draw up a new pre-nup.

  • Change of finances

Many people have been affected financially since lockdown. If this is the case with your finances, you might want to consider amending your pre-nup (this is known as executing a deed) to reflect your new financial standing.

Here to help

If you and your partner would like to update your pre-nup – or are considering getting one – Townsend Family Law Solicitors has the experience, knowledge and reputation to help. To find out more, get in touch here.

References
(1) https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/news/covid-19-wedding-couple-survey/
(2) https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-4-8-bn-lost-by-the-uk-wedding-industry-in-2020-130907099.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANuwc-w_OK-6qq1G9gitbDIwk9I1S5KtpauQomQY4sc90ELnS3GWCYGOKdiYmo7ARs_MY-4gy-eylMvubs_YaSEjV5bFOysoN4h-tFS8zmaC1XQvlG14C2Cj_FGYWiiDzZV_69P6IZMb_rFobDugScwM3w4ooHbRBcUu0JyzS9tU
(3) https://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/business/consumer/tring-couple-say-i-do-uks-first-ever-drive-through-wedding-2974103
(4) https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/09/coronavirus-outbreak-cancelled-or-postponed-events-can-i-get-my-money-back/

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