The limit on the number of people who can attend weddings in England will be scrapped from 21 June – but rules on singing and dancing will remain.

Boris Johnson confirmed the 30-person cap on wedding ceremonies and receptions will be removed as planned, as he announced a four-week delay to the lifting of all COVID restrictions.

Any limits on guests will be set by wedding venues based on social distancing requirements, the prime minister said.

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Couples had voiced fears their wedding plans would be ruined if the 30-person limit was not removed from 21 June, as part of England’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Some restrictions on weddings will remain, however, including limits on singing and a ban on dancing, except for the first dance.

Guests will be told to sit on tables of up to six people and receptions will be table service only.

Dancefloors are forbidden inside, while for private ceremonies outdoors, dancing will not be illegal, but will be strongly advised against.

For weddings taking place inside private homes, the limit of six individuals will remain, with an exception in place for deathbed ceremonies where 30 people can attend.

The 30-person limit at wakes will also be scrapped.

During the PM’s news conference, a bride-to-be – who had to postpone her wedding twice – asked him why testing and vaccination status cannot be used to open up weddings in the same way it is being used for football matches.

She said it felt like weddings are “bottom of the priority list despite being significant life events without which some people cannot progress with their lives”.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m very, very sorry to hear about your wedding plans being postponed twice. Indeed obviously I’m sorry for all the disappointment that’s going to be caused by going a bit slower as we are today.”

He added: “All I can say is I’m sorry for the disappointment that this will certainly bring to weddings, to many, many businesses, but it’s a few weeks that I think is worth it to get those jabs in.”

Other restrictions being eased include rules for care home residents who will also no longer have to quarantine for 14 days after day visits out.

More pilot mass gathering events will also place including Euro 2020 games and some theatrical performances.

Mr Johnson has delayed the lifting of all lockdown restrictions in England to 19 July due to concerns over the rapidly spreading Delta variant first identified in India.

However the extension will be reviewed to see if action can be taken two weeks sooner on 5 July.

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