Hello!
There has been a lot of questions about how many guests are allowed at weddings right now in Illinois and the Illinois Events Coalition, (of which I am a co-founder), had a call with the BACP at the Mayor’s office and I wanted to share details here of what is current guidelines for events in Chicago. We look forward to larger celebrations soon as it becomes safer and word is out that Governor Pritzker will be making an announcement this week on more details about the re-opening of Illinois.
Some Notes and Questions we had answered
-Events are currently at 50 guests maximum
-Guests cannot mingle at cocktail hour. They must be seated when eating or drinking. When up and about they need to have masks on
-Events should follow the indoor dining guidelines with social distancing, etc.
What is a venue has different floors or different rooms. Can we do more than 50 guests?
Yes, but the people in the 2 rooms cannot co-mingle or share any spaces. They have to be static to their room and cannot share any spaces or restrooms. For corporate events this works well as you can stagger start times and have a live feed to the second room. But hosts of the event should not be co-mingling. If they do need to enter the second room they should have their masks on and maintain social distance.
Do babies and 1 & 2 year-olds count at a person in the 50?
YES
When you say dance floors closed what about dancing by tables at weddings but just no dance floor?
Dance Floors should remain closed.
Guests could dance in their table area with face covering on and maintaining social distance but no dance floors can be open
Will the city be issuing a timeline for opening and increased capacity?
It is being worked on and there will be an announcement by the governor this week!
Can we have 100 guests at a wedding or private event if we are outside or in a tent?
No, for event you can have no more than 50 guests.
For an event like a Farmer’s Market it would be allowed with required social distance at all times. But not a wedding or social event at this time.
Is the BACP currently doing inspections for violations?
Yes. And they have issued many warnings and fines. They will be working with their own inspectors and also with police help to be going to venues, private events, bars and restaurants to insure the guidelines are being followed!
Please continue to do your part and follow the Illinois guidelines!
Illinois Guidelines Here from the Governors Office
We cannot wait for this year’s safe wedding season!
