COVID Restrictions: Weddings Allowed Up To 150 Guests Across New York State
BETHPAGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- There's good news for couples looking to get married in New York.
Beginning Monday, the state will allow more guests at wedding venues and catering halls, and restaurants will soon be allowed to increase indoor dining capacity.
"Not a doubt in my mind. No cold feet here," said groom-to-be Andrew Indart.
Indart and his fiance Amanda Romano met in a Mets fan club. They've been engaged for three years, and spent the pandemic resending announcements.
READ MORE: Catering Halls, Wedding Industry Looking Forward To March 15 Reduced Capacity Return
"A save the date. An invitation. Then a change the date. Then we sent out new rounds of invitations to less people," Romano said.
"With the regulations in place right now, we can have 150 people. We had to cut it down. Initially, we invited 270," Indart said.
Beginning Monday, weddings of up to 150 people will be allowed, with limits.
"I'm just so excited to be able to be hosting weddings again. We've had so many couples pushed off their wedding three and four times," said Michael Lessing of Lessing's Hospitality Group.
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The Heritage Club at Bethpage State Park is putting all COVID safety changes in place in time to welcome in bride, groom, and their socially distanced guests at tables with rolled silverware.
"We feel like we've been engaged forever. We just finally want to get married," Romano said.
All guests must show proof of testing or vaccination, guest contact information is mandated, masks are required at all times except when seated, and socially distanced dancing is allowed.
"We have squares on the dance floor. You have to dance with your table," Lessing said.
"Oh I can't wait, I can't wait to marry her. How much I love her doesn't change, only grows stronger each and every day," Indart said.
"Just knocking on wood that neither one of us tests positive for COVID. We'd definitely have to postpone again," Romano said.
On Friday, maximum capacity for indoor dining will bump up to 75% in all parts of the state except New York City, where it will increase to 50%.
