England Plans Biggest Wedding Law Reform Yet
Couples in England and Wales could soon have the freedom to legally marry in a much wider range of locations, including their own homes, pubs, beaches, castles, cruise ships and even hot-air balloons, under proposed reforms described by the government as the biggest change to wedding laws in nearly 200 years.
At present, weddings and civil partnerships must take place at officially licensed venues for the marriage to be legally recognised. The government says the current rules are outdated and wants to give couples greater flexibility while helping reduce the cost of getting married.
Under the proposals, the responsibility for approving the ceremony would shift from the venue to a registered officiant, allowing weddings to take place in almost any suitable location. However, ceremonies considered to undermine the seriousness of marriage would not be permitted. Activities such as skydiving, white-water rafting, or rollercoaster rides would fail to meet the proposed “dignity framework.”
The government says light-hearted moments would still be allowed, including readings from Shakespeare or group sing-alongs to songs like Sweet Caroline, provided they remain respectful. It also proposes that food, drinks and alcohol should not be casually consumed during the legal ceremony itself.
The reforms would also relax restrictions on civil ceremonies by allowing some religious content, such as Bible readings. In addition, non-religious belief groups, including Humanists, would be able to conduct legally recognised weddings.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said the current marriage laws no longer reflect modern society. He argued that expensive weddings often make marriage less accessible and said the reforms would allow couples to celebrate their commitment in a way that better suits them while protecting the importance of marriage.
Under the new system, the key legal requirements would simply be the couple giving their consent and signing the marriage documents in the presence of an authorised officiant.
The government is consulting on the proposals until 24 September before deciding on the final reforms. Any changes would require new legislation, meaning the new rules are unlikely to come into effect before next year.
The average UK wedding now costs around £21,990, according to wedding planning company Hitched. Businesses in the wedding industry have welcomed the proposals, saying they could provide couples with more affordable and convenient venue options.
While outdoor weddings have been legal in England and Wales since 2021, they must still take place at licensed venues. Scotland already allows much greater freedom, with couples able to marry almost anywhere, including remote glens, historic castles and uninhabited islands.
