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Devoted September 2021

California 2021 brides - covid restrictions/updates

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Felicia, on February 11, 2021 at 1:15 PM

California 2021 brides!

I came across this LA times news article (linked to thread) and I’m seeking insight on reception restrictions. I was shocked to see an article today that said all receptions were banned, even if we are in the lowest tier (yellow). My venue (an outdoor ceremony and reception at a hotel in Los Angeles) has mentioned that they are moving full steam ahead and plan on holding 100 person weddings this summer and fall.
My concern is that hotels will obviously have to follow the state protocols. If we are in tier yellow (less than 1% transmission) but are prohibited to hold receptions, what are we to do? This is frustrating and quite frankly very vague. The only thing lower than yellow tier is no restrictions at all, so should California brides except to not be allowed to have receptions this season? Even if people are vaccinated, socially distanced, masked etc? Hotels will have to follow whatever the state protocols are at that time, and if this is how it is going to be I would rather plan an alternative now.
Are there any California brides that have received factual information on this? My wedding planner doesn’t have any insight. My hotel doesn’t have any insight. I am even willing to take this issue up with the state if I have to. I have spent way too much money and invested way too much time to not be allowed to have a safe outdoor reception in yellow tier with less than 1% state transmission while other things like indoor gyms, indoor pools can open at 25%-50%. (Rant over)

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123 Comments

Just Said Yes May 2021
Lianne · on February 22, 2021 at 9:53 PM
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Odd! The venue coordinator said they are approved to do outdoor socially distanced ceremony (people sitting in pairs) and dancing outdoors until 10pm, with face masks on of course. I will certainly keep y'all in the loop if anything changes. It's been so confusing hearing so much conflicting information!
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August 2020
JM Sunshine · on February 22, 2021 at 10:00 PM
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Yes, that was also how my daughter was able to have her 85 guest reception with the venue falling under outdoor dining guidelines. There have been many receptions under 100 ppl happening around CA using these venues.
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Just Said Yes June 2021
Cierra · on February 26, 2021 at 7:21 PM
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Hi Lianne! What venue are you getting married at?
We booked Farmstead for June 19th and I haven't been able to get much information from them about COVID policies. I'm also freaking out, but our venues sound similar so I'm hoping we can proceed as planned. Fingers crossed!
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Just Said Yes March 2021
Fuentes · on February 27, 2021 at 9:54 AM
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Here is an update regarding wedding receptions as on February 27th, 2021 . This guidance is on gatherings which states that more than 3 households are prohibited to gather.

More info in this link:
https://covid19.ca.gov/search/
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Just Said Yes May 2021
Lianne · on February 28, 2021 at 11:21 AM
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Hey Cierra! We are right across the way in St.Helena...I'm surprised Farmstead hasn't gotten back to you. How stressful! The set ups are very similar so hopefully everything works out by June. Best of luck!
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Beginner March 2021
Tammy · on March 3, 2021 at 1:45 PM
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Hello!

I’m getting married this month and as of now, our reception is outdoors and is restaurant style service. No dancing allowed except for ceremonial dancing, first dance, father daughter, mother son etc.
My venue is making all guest be tested before arriving and masks must be worn when not sitting down for dinner. It’s honestly just a really really expensive fancy dinner.
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Devoted September 2021
Felicia · on March 3, 2021 at 5:39 PM
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Hey Tammy! What part of California are you in? Congratulations on your big day!
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Just Said Yes July 2021
Sierra · on March 3, 2021 at 5:48 PM
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Hey Felicia! I am experiencing the same thing!! My ceremony and reception are all outdoors in July in Tahoe but now I'm seeing in every single tier there's that limit of no receptions?? How does that make any sense? I am also stressing because more and more payments are coming up that cant be refunded, only post-poned. If anyone has any information, please help!
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Beginner March 2021
Tammy · on March 3, 2021 at 6:12 PM
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Congratulations to you as well!!

I’m in LA getting married at Calamigos Ranch. We were also told that we can’t serve cake unless it is pre-sliced and packaged before arriving to the venue.
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Devoted September 2021
Felicia · on March 3, 2021 at 6:28 PM
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Calamigos Ranch is so beautiful! I hope you have an amazing wedding day. This year and last year has been so very rough on us all. Wishing you an amazing day! Ps - buy sheet cake from Costco and pre-slice it. Have a small cake for bride and groom. Your guests will never know! 🤣
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Savvy March 2021
Mother Of The Bride · on March 3, 2021 at 9:04 PM
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I am getting screwed over by my venue. They want us to wait 30 days before the date. Brides beware. They have $7000 of my money.
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Savvy March 2021
Mother Of The Bride · on March 3, 2021 at 9:07 PM
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That’s a crap rule. If they cannot have the wedding on your date you should get a refund
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Just Said Yes June 2021
Ava · on March 10, 2021 at 3:16 AM
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Hi Alex, I’m a June SoCal bride too. Could you kindly share what your venue is (restaurant, hotel, etc)?
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Savvy March 2021
Mother Of The Bride · on March 10, 2021 at 8:57 PM
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Are you in Los Angeles?
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Savvy March 2021
Mother Of The Bride · on March 10, 2021 at 9:00 PM
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When is your wedding?
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Beginner June 2021
Alex · on March 11, 2021 at 5:19 PM
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The venue is a country club in Orange county. They just let us know we are good to go for 100 people (outdoors only) and can schedule our food tasting to start moving plans forward. They do anticipate social distancing/masks would be required, no surprised there.
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Just Said Yes October 2021
Victoria · on March 16, 2021 at 7:17 PM
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Hi Felicia,
Hope you're doing well! I am late to this thread, but also getting married in LA in Oct. and just decided to look up the guidelines today and saw this article too, regarding the tiers and no "receptions" allowed at ANY tier. This made me panic. I don't understand how they can mention everything else, like bars, concerts and amusement parks, but small-ish receptions wouldn't be allowed at the yellow tier. At what point will things will just go back to normal if we are all very well vaccinated by summer? Don't understand why they can't create some guidelines once we hit the better tiers. The wedding industry is huge and receptions are allowed in majority of states except ours. Hopefully this will just change in the coming months or they will get enough complaints about this. Wondering if you have heard any more news about it though. I hope people keep updating this thread as well! Thank you!
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Savvy March 2021
Mother Of The Bride · on March 17, 2021 at 9:26 PM
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I so tired of hearing about some many brides getting screwed over by their venues in California. Let us know how it goes. I am having a difficult time with mine too!
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Devoted September 2021
Felicia · on March 17, 2021 at 11:54 PM
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Hello! I feel the same way as you. I also have SO many guests rsvp’ing yes....people that I was expecting to say no. I’m running into the issue of going over 100 people which apparently isn’t allowed. It looks like people really want to get out and have a good time. I do think that things will drastically change including the guidelines. However, I am worried that the state won’t put actual guidelines in writing and overlook receptions. I hope that the wedding industry and the hotel industry push for answers at the state level. We also expect over 90% of our guestlist to be vaccinated. Almost half of our guest list is already vaccinated, including my fiancé and I! I don’t see why vaccination can’t be considered in the guidelines. Especially with outdoor venues.
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Devoted September 2021
Felicia · on March 17, 2021 at 11:57 PM
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It doesn’t make any sense! Especially since vaccinations are rolling out at record pace. I do think that guidelines will change but if the state doesn’t put it in writing it’s going to cause a lot of brides issues! For example, I know that my hotel will only go by the state guidelines. So if they say no dancing they won’t allow it. I hope that somebody has new information!
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