This is a summary of all the New Hampshire wedding COVID rules that may apply to your wedding celebration as of February 2021.
New Hampshire Wedding COVID Rules Generally
Of all the New England states, New Hampshire has the fewest COVID rules applicable to wedding celebrations. That’s not surprising considering New Hampshire’s state motto is Live Free or Die.
As a result, New Hampshire saw an uptick in weddings resulting from couples initially planning to wed in Massachusetts.
New Hampshire’s Official Wedding COVID guidance
Find New Hampshire’s official wedding COVID guidance here. New Hampshire last updated the guidance on June 15, 2020. As you’ll see it uses a mix of “shall” and “should”, so it’s a bit confusing about what is required and what is suggested.
How Can Guests Interact Under the COVID Wedding Rules in New Hampshire?
The guidance “strongly encourages” guests and staff to maintain a 6 feet of distance between individuals not in household groups. Guests should wear face coverings if they cannot maintain 6 feet between each other.
What About COVID Wedding Seating Rules in New Hampshire?
Seating is limited to six guests per table and there should be a limit of 6 individuals at a single table. As long as outdoor venues can meet these requirements there are no limitations on the capacity. So, at the Horse & Hound, couples just need to rent a tent big enough to accommodate socially distanced tables.
Indoor venues can operate at 50 percent of their normal operating seating capacity. That’s even in New Hampshire counties such as Grafton County where the Horse & Hound is currently allow for 100% capacity.
Can You Have a Band and/or Dancing Under the New Hampshire COVID Guidelines?
The guidance limits bands playing indoors to “small group bands and solo music artists.” But they must maintain 6 feet between each other and any table. The guidance is silent on outdoor bands.
Family members and those in the same household can dance within 6 feet from each other. The guidance “discourages” all others from dancing within can Dancing within 6 feet of each other.
COVID Rules in NH Regarding Wedding Food Service?
COVID rules in New Hampshire prohibit any type of shared items during food service. So, no self-serve buffets or appetizers or even shared condiments. NH does allow buffets staffed by employees and passed appetizers. But guests must maintain 6 feet in the buffet line. And barriers like plexiglass and sneeze guards are recommended for buffets.
Workers with direct contact with wedding guests must be masked.
Hopefully helped provide an overview of the NH wedding COVID rules. Couples should use their own judgment though. IF they still don’t feel safe under the New Hampshire’s COVID guidance, they can take extra precautions.