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What Does Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4 Mean For Your Washington State Wedding?

UPDATE: Washington has changed from 4 phases to 2 phases, please use this link to see blog with current information for your wedding planning.

This blog will no longer be updated.

Washington State Reopening Phases 1-2-3-4

How to Be Prepared for a Coronavirus Wedding in Washington State

“As people resume activities outside of the home, it’s important to continue taking precautions to keep yourself and others in the community healthy,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and Public Health director. “The virus hasn’t gone away. We need to stay vigilant to prevent COVID-19 transmission from increasing in our community.”

Washington's "Safe Start Washington plan" states that, all Washingtonians have a responsibility to protect themselves and others.

Last updated Sept. 16th, 2020.

All reopening phases are grounded in the same mandated best practices for both individuals and businesses. Including staying six feet apart, wearing a face covering, washing your hands, and stay local! There are also some additional requirements for Photographers.

Besides those best practices, each reopening phase also has its own set of guidelines, broken down below.

Phase 1

As of Aug. 6th, 2020 - Wedding and funerals are prohibited from receptions of any kind. Ceremonies are permitted but the occupancy is limited to 20% capacity or up to 30 people (reduced from 100), whichever is less. Must be able to maintain six feet of distance between households.

Gatherings: Outdoor spiritual or religious services of up to 100 people (choirs not allowed). Not weddings or funerals, see above.
- For modified Phase 1 counties: Indoor spiritual or religious services up to 25% of capacity or 200 individuals (whichever is less). Choirs not allowed.

Travel: Essential travel and travel for Phase 1 activities.

Businesses: Essential businesses, existing construction that meets agreed-upon criteria, landscaping, auto/RV/boat/ORV sales, retail (curb-side pick-up orders only), car washes, pet walkers.

Phase 2

As of Sept. 16th wedding may again have ceremonies and receptions when all parties meet and maintain all generally applicable requirements.

For weddings specifically: Indoor and outdoor occupancy is limited to 30 guests or 25% of maximum building capacity whichever is less, excluding vendors and their staff working at the wedding service or funeral.
- The host of the wedding service is strongly encouraged to keep a log of attendees, and to retain that log for at least two weeks. If an outbreak occurs, this information may be critical for contact tracing to help save lives.

The wedding reception is limited to no more than 3 hours. Alcohol service, delivery, and consumption, including beer, wine, and spirits, must end at 10:00 p.m
- See more requirements and restrictions if your venue staff does not stay onsite as you will be the "host".

Gatherings: Gather with no more than five people outside your household per week.

Travel: Essential travel and travel for activities allowed under Phase 1 and 2.

Businesses: Manufacturing, construction, real estate, photography, pet grooming, in-home/domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, etc.), retail (in-store purchases allowed with restrictions), professional services/office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged), personal services (hair and nail salons/barbers, tattoo, etc.)
- Restaurants/taverns: less than 50 percent capacity, table size no larger than five (no bar-area seating or karaoke)

Phase 3

As of Sept. 16th wedding may again have ceremonies and receptions when all parties meet and maintain all generally applicable requirements.

For weddings specifically: Indoor and outdoor occupancy is limited to 30 guests or 25% of maximum building capacity whichever is less, excluding vendors and their staff working at the wedding service or funeral.
- The host of the wedding service is strongly encouraged to keep a log of attendees, and to retain that log for at least two weeks. If an outbreak occurs, this information may be critical for contact tracing to help save lives.

The wedding reception is limited to no more than 3 hours. Alcohol service, delivery, and consumption, including beer, wine, and spirits, must end at 10:00 p.m
- See more requirements and restrictions if your venue staff does not stay onsite as you will be the "host".

Gatherings: Allow gatherings with no more than 50 people.
- Spiritual or religious services: Indoor capacity of 50% or 400 people (whichever is less). Choirs not allowed. Health requirements for social distancing and facial coverings will remain the same as the guidance for previous phases.
- As of July 20th, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee is restricting gatherings in Phase 3 from 50 to 10 people to help curb the spread of the coronavirus and said another stay-home order is possible. The state is also prohibiting all live indoor and outdoor entertainment. The new rules will not impact weddings, funerals, and spiritual services, Gov. Inslee said.

Travel: Resume non-essential travel.

Business: Restaurants/taverns at less than 75 percent capacity, table size no larger than 10, bar areas in restaurants/taverns at less than 25 percent capacity, theaters at less than 50 percent capacity, customer-facing government services (telework remains strongly encouraged), libraries, museums, all other business activities not yet listed except for nightclubs and events with greater than 50 people.