With social season in full swing in Manitoba, couples raising money for their big day have to follow new rules as of April 1.

The permit to hold the social will now include a raffle option to regulate the silent auction portion of the event. Single prizes can’t exceed $500 in value unless they are donated. Prize tickets cannot cost more than $2.

Bride-to-be Monique Martin set up for her wedding social on Friday, including the popular silent auction that goes along with it.

“It's kind of a Manitoba tradition and that we wanted to carry on,” she said.

The confusion over the new rules governing the fundraising event hasn't helped Martin's stress level.

“Just a little bit of nerves for, you know, you're trying to follow the proper rules and expectations, so we made a few phone calls. Some people tell you one way, others tell you another way.”

The changes were not advertised and are buried in an omnibus bill overhauling Manitoba's liquor laws. As of April 1, a new permit will be required to hold a social.

In addition to the rules covering the cost of raffle tickets and prizes, proceeds from the sales of raffle and 50-50 draw tickets cannot exceed $10,000 each.

Manitoba's new liquor and gaming authority says the changes simply legalize what's been going on at socials for decades and assures Manitobans this won't prevent people from making money.

“We're eager to clarify for the Manitoba public that the Manitoba social will remain the great institution that it's been,” said Kristianne Dechant of the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba.

More alcohol can now be served. Bottles and brand limits will be lifted for socials and wedding receptions. And couples can now put an actual Texas mickey of booze on the raffle table.

“People who check the box on their permit application form to say that they will be having a raffle are absolutely allowed to raffle off alcohol and there is no need to call it perfume anymore,” said Dechant.

Monique Martin says lifting restrictions on the amount of alcohol takes some of her stress away.

"It's nice to be able to have as much you want, don't have to worry about running out or not having enough,” she said.

If you got a permit before April 1, these rules don't apply. Even for those who have applied since, the permit forms are not available yet and there will be a grace period to give people time to adjust to the new rules.

- With a report by Jeff Keele