Rhode Island COVID Guidelines for Weddings as of April 9, 2021

EXPECTED GUIDANCE CHANGES FROM RHODE ISLAND:

As of May 7, 2021, we expect increased capacity limits: 80% of capacity or 200 guests for indoor catered events; and 500 for outdoor catered events. Additionally, beginning May 7, we expect standing bar service and standing cocktail hour to be permitted.

As of May 28, 2021, we expect increased capacity limits: 100% capacity, no limit on guest count for indoor and/or outdoor events. Standing bar and cocktail hour permitted indoors, and dance floors open.

BARS

Alcohol service may be provided tableside, by a catering staff (service would be the same as it is when you go to a restaurant - you order a drink, and the server brings it to you).

bUFFETS

Buffets are prohibited under the restaurant guidance, but food stations can be used, adhering to the following standards:

• Guests may not serve themselves unless the food is prepackaged, wrapped, or otherwise protected. Self-service salad bars, buffets, and other food stations where food is exposed are prohibited.
• Establishments should install sneeze guards or other barriers to separate servers from guests.
• Plates, utensils, and other dinnerware cannot be exposed at food stations. Establishments can address this (1) by staffing food stations and keeping dinnerware separate (e.g. behind a sneeze guard or other barrier) or (2) leaving dinnerware for each guest at their seated tables.
• Guests must be spaced six-feet apart in line, and lines must be spaced at least six-feet away from other guests’ tables. Establishments are strongly encouraged to demarcate six-foot spacing in lines and otherwise facilitate physical distancing among guests in lines.
• To reduce congestion around food stations and otherwise minimize congregating and mingling, establishments should request that guests remain seated until their table is called and return to their seats immediately after collecting their food.
• Establishments and event planners/hosts should note that the state’s standards for face coverings especially applies to guests when away from their tables to get food from food stations.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Standing consumption of food and beverage is prohibited, and there is no walk-up bar service allowed under any circumstances.

DANCE FLOOR

Open dance floors are not permitted. However, with mitigation measures, including wearing a mask and pod dancing, dancing may be permitted at catered events.

Pod dancing may be permitted so long as attendees dance only with individuals seated at their same table. Tables may include a maximum of 8 people indoors and 10 people outdoors (in accordance with restaurant rules). It is encouraged that the number of households seated at a table be kept to a minimum (e.g., max of 3 households per table.) Dancing should be done in designated and clearly marked zones that are assigned to them and spaced at least six feet apart from any other dancing zones, and any tables. Attendees must wear face coverings while in their assigned dancing zone and cannot enter, use, or otherwise visit other dancing zones.

GUEST COUNT

Rhode Island differentiates between gatherings that have a licensed caterer and gatherings that do not. Indoor public and private social gatherings, parties and celebrations without a licensed caterer are limited to 15 people. Outdoor gatherings without a licensed caterer may have up to 50 guests.

Indoor catered events with licensed catering on site or in a restaurant may have up to 75% of regular seating capacity with a cap of 100 people, provided the responsible parties (event hosts, organizers, venue operators and vendors) confirm that pre-event testing is conducted when there are more than 15 attendees. Outdoor catered events with a licensed caterer may have up to 200 guests. Pre-event testing is required.

Special thank you to Rev. Erin Goodman for collaborating with us on compiling these guidelines.

MASKS

Face coverings must be worn in public - both indoors and outdoors - whenever six feet of social distance cannot be maintained. Exceptions are made for children under two years of age and anyone whose health would be negatively impacted by wearing a face covering.

MUSIC

Live performances are permitted. There must be 14 feet of physical distance between the performer(s) and from tables and high-traffic areas. The distance can be reduced to six feet if a physical, non-porous barrier (Plexiglass) separates performers from each other, guests, and high traffic areas. No mingling or congregating is permitted, and guests must remain seated.

SEATING

Tables must be spaced six feet apart. Tables may include a maximum of eight people indoors and 10 people outdoors (in accordance with restaurant rules).

TENTS

Tents with open sides are considered outdoor events.

VENUES

Nearly all venues are permitted to open with restrictions in place.

Special thank you to Rev. Erin Goodman for collaborating with us on compiling these guidelines.