Coronavirus: How many people can attend a wedding?

Wedding receptions have been banned in parts of England where coronavirus transmission is rising the fastest.

In the rest of England, both ceremonies and sit-down receptions can be attended by up to 15 people, in a "Covid-secure" venue.

But the rules on weddings vary across the UK nations. In Northern Ireland, ceremonies will temporarily be limited to 25 people, with no receptions permitted, from Monday.

Weddings were banned when lockdown began on 23 March, affecting 73,600 weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.

They are now mostly allowed in all four UK nations, but with different rules.

The government has published guidelines on how to have a ''Covid-secure'' wedding in England.

If you feel your day will be too different from what you wanted, it is generally better to postpone rather than cancel.

Couples ''need to be understanding" of current issues for venues and suppliers, says Henrietta Dunkley of Ellis Jones Solicitors.

Many could have lost significant sums of money, so aim for a solution that works for everyone, she advises.

For example, if the wedding was on a Saturday or in peak season and the venue can't offer an equivalent date, it's generally reasonable to ask for a fee reduction, or an upgrade.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on consumer weddings rights.

It says:

While venues and suppliers may be entitled to keep part of your deposit, consumer rights law states they must give you a costs breakdown.

If your wedding is technically allowed to take place, that's where things become trickier.

If your big day will now have to be ''radically different'' to what was agreed, you are entitled to the rights laid out above.

If it is a less significant change, then a proportionate price reduction would be appropriate - and you should not face ''disproportionately high charges'' if you still want to cancel.

Most wedding insurance does not cover a ''government act", so it is unlikely to pay out if the lockdown affected your wedding.

However, a few wedding insurers are paying out under some circumstances.

Many insurers are not selling new wedding policies, so this only covers existing agreements.

If not, you may have to register a claim with the administrator or can claim up to £30,000 per supplier from your credit card company for services not rendered, under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

If you paid on debit card, you may be able to secure a refund under the chargeback scheme.

Businesses are not allowed to just hike up prices.

Ms Dunkley says some couples have found venues are charging them far more for a postponed wedding than if they were a new customer. This is unlikely to be deemed reasonable.

The CMA has set up a taskforce to investigate harmful pricing practices during the pandemic. Consumers can fill in this form if they feel a business has treated them unfairly.

Some insurance policies will pay out if your supplier or venue goes bust.