Updated 11/23/20: Added Platte's event approval link, updated Wyandotte's health order

Updated 11/20/20: Added KCMO's event approval form link.

See any outdated or incorrect information? Let us know in the comments and we'll get it updated ASAP!

Couples planning their Kansas City weddings are stressed to the max. Public health orders, press releases and confusing interpretations are being thrown around like glow sticks during a send-off. Keeping up with them is like trying to sing along with Busta Rhymes.

That's why I decided to consolidate everything as much as possible for all the couples planning to get married in the next few months. It's important we're all compassionate and supportive of everyone with whom we interact and also make sure everyone is staying hydrated.

The orders and press releases aren't just coming out like machine-gun fire, they're also worded so confusingly that almost everyone views them differently, in their own special way.

2. Press Releases, Guidelines and Official Orders are not the same thing

Some municipalities are issuing press releases before their official public health orders.

Johnson County held a meeting on Friday, November 13th, 2020 and issued an order immediately afterwards.

The city of Kansas City, Missouri held a press conference, then issued an order immediately afterwards

Jackson County issued a press release several days before issuing their actual order

Wyandotte County issued the order, but weddings have strongly encouraged guidelines as opposed to prohibitions.

• A Press Release - is an informative publication, but not the official order.
• A Guideline - is a recommendation that is not enforced. They are strongly encouraged for your own health and safety. After all, seatbelts were merely a recommendation until 1968 when the government realized actually enforcing it might save some lives.
• An Order - is an enforceable law that came to existence by executive decision by those in power to do so from each municipality.
• Source: https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/difference-between-a-law-order-and-mandate-and-can-mandates-orders-be-enforced/521-8a4442ce-5ba5-426e-854c-b7c38ffa0d63

3. Just Because Your Venue Isn't Affected Doesn't Mean They Won't Have Their Own Restrictions



We have seen some very health-conscious venues implement additional steps that were never enforced in their municipalities. Things like guest contact lists, temperature checks, mask mandates, isolated socializing areas, no buffets, limited guest counts, etc. Some Kansas City area wedding venues may have additional restrictions and requirements, so be sure to check with them.

Your specific venue is going to be the most knowledgeable on what orders impact them specifically and which ones don't, so definitely contact your venue for any specific questions.

And we cannot stress this enough - just because your venue isn't under any public health orders, or doesn't have additional restrictions, doesn't mean it's wise to disregard the CDC's guidelines.

As the Mississippi Free Press put it, "After big Thanksgiving Dinners, [be prepared to] plan small Christmas funerals."

4. Current Orders and What They Mean

Below is a list of all known official orders and press releases, known to Levity at the time of publication.

NATIONAL

Currently, there are no known orders or restrictions that impact events on a national level.

Source: https://www.hhs.gov/regulations/index.html

MISSOURI

Current state orders do not impact events, but do include reporting deaths, reporting in congregate living and contact tracing for school children.

Source: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/statewide-orders.php

JACKSON COUNTY

Source: https://jacohd.org/coronavirus

• The Gist:
• Limit of 10 people unless otherwise approved (7 day advance application)
• Masks required at all times unless under the age of 5, disability which prevents masks, or seated at a table consuming food or drinks
• Social distancing required and no intermingling of groups from various households
• Maximum capacity of 50 guests or 50% lowest occupancy load - whichever is less
• 10pm curfew
• End Date: TBD
• Orders: https://jacohd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/HealthOrdernov18.20202.pdf
• Event Approval Request Form: https://form.jotform.com/202747364099060
• Impacted Cities
• KANSAS CITY, MO
• The Gist: 
• Limit of 10 people unless otherwise approved
• Seated and masked at all times unless under the age of 5, disability which prevents masks, or seated at a table consuming food or drinks (no dancing)
• Social distancing required and no intermingling of groups from various households
• Maximum capacity of 50% lowest occupancy load
• 10pm curfew
• End Date: January 16th, 2021 at 12:01 am
• Orders: https://www.kcmo.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=6088
• Event Approval Request Form: https://www.kcmo.gov/city-hall/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19-kcmo-information-and-response/request-for-waiver-of-mayor-s-11th-amended-order
• LEE'S SUMMIT, MO
• INDEPENDENCE, MO
• BLUE SPRINGS, MO
• GRANDVIEW, MO
• RAYTOWN, MO
• LONE JACK, MO
• UNITY VILLAGE, MO

CLAY COUNTY

Source: https://www.clayhealth.com

• The Gist
• Limit of 10 people unless otherwise approved (7 day advance application)
• Masks required at all times unless under the age of 5, disability which prevents masks, or seated at a table consuming food or drinks
• Social distancing required and no intermingling of groups from various households
• Maximum capacity of 50% occupancy
• 10pm curfew
• End Date: TBD
• Orders: https://www.clayhealth.com/DocumentCenter/View/1159/Clay-County-Updated-Emergency-Order-11172020
• Event Approval Request Form: https://www.clayhealth.com/forms.aspx?FID=74
• Impacted Cities

LIBERTY, MO

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO

GLADSTONE, MO

NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO

SUGAR CREEK

PLATTE COUNTY

Source: https://plattecountyhealthmo.municipalone.com

• The Gist:
• Limit of 10 people unless otherwise approved (7 day advance application)
• Masks required at all times unless under the age of 5, disability which prevents masks, or seated at a table consuming food or drinks
• Social distancing required and no intermingling of groups from various households
• Maximum capacity of 50% occupancy
• 10pm curfew
• End Date: TBD
• Orders:  https://plattecountyhealthmo.municipalone.com/files/documents/PublicHealthOrder202011171318080103111820AM.pdf
• Event Approval Request Form: Complete this form and email it to: info@plattehealth.com at least 3 business days in advance. https://plattecountyhealthmo.municipalone.com/files/documents/OrderVarianceTool1318120959112020PM.pdf
• Impacted Cities
  

PARKVILLE, MO

WESTON, MO

SMITHVILLE, MO

PLATTE CITY, MO

CASS COUNTY

7/10/2020 Press Release: https://www.casscounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/2366/20200710-Statement-on-Local-Gathering-Cluster

Source: https://www.casscounty.com/2450/COVID-19

BUCHANAN COUNTY

Pfft, lol.

Source: https://www.co.buchanan.mo.us/443/COVID-19

• Impacted Cities
• St. Joseph, MO
• The Gist:
• Masks required at all times unless under the age of 5 or has a disability which prevents masks
• End Date: TBD
• Order: https://www.stjoemo.info/DocumentCenter/View/13046/Special-Declaration-and-Order-November-13-2020-PDF
  

CLINTON COUNTY

Pfft, lol.

Source: https://clintoncohealth.org/covid-19

KANSAS:

The Gist: Masks required at all times unless under the age of 5, disability which prevents masks, or seated at a table consuming food or drinks

Source; https://covid.ks.gov

Source: https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200702093130003.pdf

End Date: TBD

JOHNSON COUNTY

Source: https://www.jocogov.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update

• The Gist:
• 8 maximum guests per table
• Masks required at all times except when eating
• Social distancing required
• Maximum capacity of 50 guests or 50% lowest occupancy load - whichever is less
• Midnight Curfew
• End Date: January 31st, 2021
• Order: https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/JOCO%20Board%20of%20Public%20Health%20Order%20No.%20002-20.pdf.pdf?meetingId=6396&documentType=Agenda&itemId=15554&publishId=29682&isSection=false
• Event Approval Request Form: email: submitplan@jocogov.org.
• Impacted Cities
  
• LEAWOOD
• LENEXA
• MERRIAM
• OLATHE
• OVERLAND PARK
• PRAIRIE VILLAGE
• SHAWNEE

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

Source: https://www.wycokck.org/Health.aspx

• The Gist:
• Must be seated and masked, unless actively eating and drinking (no dancing)
• Tables limited to 8 guests and must be from same household
• Social distancing required
• Maximum capacity of 50% lowest occupancy load
• 10pm curfew
• End Date: TBD
• Press Release: https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/11202020newlhostarts.pdf
• Order: https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/112020localhealthorder.pdf
• Event Approval Request Form: https://us.openforms.com/Form/6465c596-4bee-4adc-86ab-e70620e3f548
• Impacted Cities
• KANSAS CITY, KS
• BONNER SPRINGS, KS
• LAKE QUIVIRA, KS

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY

Pfft, lol.

Source: https://www.leavenworthcounty.gov/covid/default.asp