Brides Of LI Owner Launches Petition To Change Wedding Guidelines

LONG ISLAND, NY — As coronavirus guidelines are beginning to loosen in New York State, a Long Island group of brides launched a petition for officials to lessen the restrictions for weddings.

The wedding industry took a big hit this past year after the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March, forcing businesses to shut down. Just this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that weddings with up to 150 people are permitted.

While this was a huge win for the industry, there are still several restrictions in place for weddings making it difficult for venues and vendors.

For example, wedding guests must be present proof of vaccination or negative test for the virus. They also must wear masks and stay within a "bubble" with other guests at their table. And musicians must stay at least 12 feet away from guests, among other rules.

As a result, Heather Cunningham, the owner of Brides of Long Island, recently started a petition on Change.org to suggest new guidelines for weddings.

"We understand that restrictions are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19, however, after extensive communication with our local venues and vendors, we would like to propose, and encourage you to consider, the following alternative regulations that we believe are both more effective and easier to execute," Cunningham wrote. "These alternatives will allow for an increased number of events to be held in a safe manner, allowing for a more efficient reopening of the wedding industry, while lessening confusion from brides, vendors, venues, and guests."

The proposed changes, according to the petition, include: eliminating the need for testing before an event, allowing vendors to be eligible to receive the vaccine, removing the need for "dancing squares" and lifting the 12 a.m.

The new guidelines will still keep in place the 50 percent capacity and mask mandate.

The petition, addressed to the governor as well as Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, has already received a total of 5,438 signatures as of Thursday.