New Jersey Easing Restrictions On Wedding Reception Capacity
WILLIAMSTOWN, N.J. (CBS) -- Wedding planning during the pandemic is about to get easier in New Jersey. On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Murphy loosened more gathering restrictions.
"I'm feeling good. We've been waiting a while to be able to do this. So, it's exciting, it's stressful," groom-to-be Robert Tampone said.
Garden State couples will take each other for better or for worse, but certainly not for granted.
After already rescheduling their wedding once, the soon-to-be Tampone's will tie the knot on May 22.
"We are actually at a super beautiful venue. It's very rustic, it's very old-looking, it's beautiful," bride-to-be Antonette Tamone said.
On Wednesday, Murphy announced the loosening of additional COVID-19 restrictions.
Indoor receptions will soon expand capacity limits to 35% or not exceed more than 150 people if it's a larger venue.
That's great news for caterers like Anthony and Cleopatra Caterers in Williamstown.
"For us, having 35% gives us about 115, 120 guests which you know these days maybe having 100 people indoors is a blessing," Anthony and Cleopatra Caterers General Manager Anthony Langella said.
Though capacity limits are expanding, safety measures are still required to be in place.
Guests must wear masks if they are not actively eating or drinking and Langella says that measure will be enforced.
"Our staff always wears masks. When we do buffets we always wear gloves, we make the plates for the guests instead of guests coming up to the buffet," Langella said.
2020 was devastating for the hospitality industry but with the loosening of restrictions, the industry is hopeful normalcy is finally in sight.
"I think it just gives people hope down the road that, 'Hey while we still have to wear masks, while we still have to be safe and follow the rules, at least we can start to gather safely,'" Langella said.
These changes will take effect starting at 6 a.m. Friday.
