Major marriage law announcement to change weddings across England and Wales

Couples will be able to getmarried on beaches and at heritage sites under major reforms to the law.

Currently, religious weddings must take place in a registered place of worship, while civil weddings can happen in a register office or at an approved premises.

Couples are often forced to get married in a register office before then having a ceremony at another location, such as a beach, in a forest or on a cruise ship.

But in the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century, couples are set to be given more choice in how they get married, making the process simpler, fairer and less costly.

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The reforms announced will see regulation of weddings shift away from buildings and onto the officiants running the ceremony, offering couples greater freedom to shape their big day.

Under the plan, couples will be able to marry in a wider range of locations provided venues meet strict standards of being appropriate and dignified.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the changes will mean marriage law "reflects modern Britain", making it more straightforward for couples to have legally binding religious ceremonies - including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings - and allow non-religious groups, such as Humanists, to conduct legally binding ceremonies for the first time.

Planned changes follow a Law Commission review of marriage law. In 2022, the Commission recommended couples should be able to get married in a much wider variety of locations, including a place unconnected with any building, such as in a forest, on a beach, or in a local park.

It also said people should be able to wed in affordable local venues, such as community centres and village halls, as well as in their own homes, or in international waters on cruise ships that are registered in the UK.

The Government will undertake a consultation early next year into reforming the law. Legislation to change the law will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

The MoJ said the move will also be a significant boost to the economy as it is estimated the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in weddings in England and Wales.

It said this could add £535million to the economy over the next 10 years, supporting 1,800 more businesses and up to 12,000 jobs.

Minister for family law Baroness Levitt KC said: “Marriage is one of our country’s most celebrated traditions and our plans will allow couples to have the wedding day of their dreams.

“Our reforms will protect the solemnity and dignity of marriage while providing more choice for couples and unlocking untapped opportunities for the economy.”

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said: “Mine and my husband’s wedding day was incredibly special – personal, meaningful and an unforgettable celebration of our love. Every couple deserves the same.

“Our wedding laws should match our country’s needs. These vital reforms will mean couples from all walks of life can celebrate their commitment without outdated restrictions getting in the way.”

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