Wedding Law Reform: What you need to know
Wedding law reform is a much talked about topic, with many couples and wedding suppliers keen to see the wedding law of England & Wales updated and modernised. But when can we expect to see these changes? Is anything happening in the corridors of Westminster? Here we hope to shed some light on what you need to know about wedding law reform – and how you can support the cause!
What would wedding law reform look like?
The rules around outdoor weddings in England & Wales were relaxed in 2022 to include a wider variety of locations, but this was only applicable to the outdoor spaces of authorised venues. As an entirely separate project, the Law Commission of England & Wales has been conducting a thorough review of wedding law and has now put forward recommendations for wholesale reform.
These recommendations aim to comply with the following key principles:
1. Certainty and simplicity
2. Fairness and equality
3. Protecting the state’s interest
4. Respecting individuals’ wishes and beliefs
5. Removing any unnecessary regulation, so as to increase the choice and lower the cost of wedding venues for couples.
What are the wedding law reform recommendations?
After extensive work and consultation, the Law Commission submitted it final recommendations to the Government in July 2022.
In this document, they propose moving to an ‘officiant-based scheme’, whereby the person conducting the wedding would be authorised, rather then the venue in which the wedding takes place.
Within this new scheme, many other changes are proposed in order to make the marriage process fairer and simpler, as well as allowing couples more choice and freedom of expression in their ceremonies. They also aim to significantly reduce the possibility of forced or sham marriages by making the registration process more consistent for all couples, regardless of background or belief.
It is now up to the Government to decide whether to accept these recommendations, and whether independent celebrants and non-religious belief celebrants, such as humanists, should be included within the categories of officiant.
The Government was due to issue an interim response to these proposals by January 2023, but at the time of writing (September 23), we have still not heard their response.
Including celebrants in wedding law reform
At Outdoor Ceremonies we strongly support these wedding law reform proposals. We also support the inclusion of celebrants within this, as we believe this is the only way to offer true freedom of choice for couples in their wedding ceremonies.
In England & Wales, independent celebrants are in extremely high demand as they create and lead personalised, bespoke wedding ceremonies in whichever location the couple chooses. Being independent, most are happy to incorporate some religion or spirituality if requested, which is ideal for couples from different faiths or cultures. But independent celebrants currently cannot perform legally binding marriages. This means that a couple who choose an independent celebrant must complete their legal marriage requirements separately, incurring an added cost and inconvenience.
Non-religious belief celebrants, such as humanists, create ceremonies that comply with the beliefs and standards of their organisation. Again, these ceremonies are made personal and meaningful to the couple and can take place anywhere the couple chooses. But as above, they are currently not legally binding.
There are many celebrants to choose from, so couples who want a more personalised ceremony are sure to find a celebrant who is the ideal match for them. But wouldn’t it be great if these celebrants could also complete legal marriages without any of the restrictions currently required by the registration service?
Show your support for wedding law reform
If you support this wedding law reform in England & Wales, we would encourage you to show your active support for the cause. The more people who speak up, the more likely the Government is to act.
Currently (as at September 2023), the reform proposals are with the Ministry of Justice for review and we await their response. Therefore, as a first step you may wish to visit your local MP and ask them to write on your behalf to the MoJ. Make your case from a personal perspective – how would this reform benefit you, your wedding, or your business?
As a second step, you may wish to write a piece for a local newspaper, magazine or online platform, or speak on local radio. Local news feeds into national news, so an influx of stories on this reform is likely to encourage coverage in the mainstream media. Again, speak and write from a personal angle, focusing on why this reform is important to you.
Social media is another great way to gather momentum. You may wish you share the badge below on your socials/website and tag any relevant organisations/individuals, such as:
– your local MP
– Ministry of Justice
– Association of Independent Celebrants
– Humanists UK
– Give Couples Choice Movement
Let’s work together to bring about this change, modernise our wedding laws and enjoy thousands more unique and meaningful weddings!
We hope this has helped to inform and inspire you if you're planning your own wedding. There is so much choice out there, which can feel overwhelming, so if you'd like help finding the perfect outdoor wedding venue, celebrant or supplier, just visit our directory to start planning!
