Wedding Law Reform in England and Wales – What are the changes proposed?

There may be changes afoot regarding wedding law that will give couples more choice about how and where their wedding takes place. In July 2022, The Law Commission of England and Wales issued a report containing its recommendations for the reform of the law around weddings, and these are now being considered by the Government. The Law Commission has proposed that regulation around weddings would be based on licencing the officiant rather than the building in which the wedding takes place. This would enable weddings to take place at a much greater variety of venues than is currently allowed.

Stephanie Boyce, president of the Law Society of England and Wales said that: “This area of law has long been due an overhaul and the Law Commission’s review of marriage report offers a much-needed opportunity to bring our marriage laws into the 21st century…By simplifying the process and allowing couples to give notice online, marriage laws will be able to support couples more efficiently…Our laws must reflect the society we live in and by modernising existing marriage laws, it means couples can have greater flexibility on where they wed, greater safeguards for both parties and greater education about marrying in England and Wales.”

If these changes are implemented, the rules around weddings will become less restrictive and you will be able to have a wedding ceremony that better reflects your wishes and beliefs. If you have your eye on a particular location for your ceremony (for example, a hilltop, a beach or your garden) and it is currently not licenced, then watch this space - it may be possible to be married legally there in the future!

Further reading:

The Law Commission Report: https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/weddings/

Briefing published on the House of Commons Library: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn02842/

The Association of Independent Celebrants: https://independentcelebrants.com/category/wedding-law-reform/

The Give Couples Choice movement: https://gccmovement.org/