Proposed changes to wedding laws in England and Wales would allow couples to marry anywhere, potentially saving up to £6,000 on venue costs. The reforms, announced by the Labour government, aim to modernize legislation that currently restricts legally binding ceremonies to licensed venues.
Key Changes: Celebrant-Based Licensing
Under the current system, venues must be licensed for weddings. The new plans would shift the licensing requirement to the celebrant, enabling couples to hold legally recognized ceremonies in any location of their choice. This change is designed to reduce costs and simplify the process for non-religious couples, who currently face limited options.
Justice Minister Baroness Levitt said: “The institution of marriage is a cornerstone of British life and a wedding is far more than a legal formality, it is often one of the most important days of a couple’s life. But we know the law isn’t working equally for everyone. No one should have to choose between a ceremony that honours their faith, culture and traditions and one that gives them legal protection.”
Ending Dual Ceremonies for Mixed-Faith Couples
The reforms would also eliminate the need for couples from different faiths to hold two separate ceremonies—one legal and one religious—to have a marriage that is both legally recognized and reflects their beliefs. Humanists would be allowed to conduct legally binding weddings for the first time, addressing a long-standing demand from non-religious belief organizations.
David Lammy, from the Labour Party government, said: “Few days matter more than a person’s wedding day. It is the moment two people make a lifelong commitment to one another before their family, friends and community. It should be joyful, personal and a reflection of who they are, what they believe and the life they want to build together. But for too many couples that simply isn’t possible.”
Outdated Laws from the 18th and 19th Centuries
Lammy criticized the current legal framework, which he described as “built on rules dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries” and “belonging to a different age.” The average wedding cost in the UK now exceeds £20,000, and non-religious couples are often confined to a limited range of approved buildings. The new law aims to provide greater flexibility and reduce financial burdens.
Lammy added: “The law also places outdated restrictions on where people can marry and how their ceremony can be conducted. This complex mix of laws can cause real problems for couples, particularly those who want a religious wedding. Some feel forced to pay for two different ceremonies, one legal and one belief based. Some enter into a marriage that isn’t legally recognised. Others feel they have little choice but to marry in a way which doesn’t reflect their beliefs, marring what should be a joyous occasion.”
Consultation and Implementation
The government is consulting on the proposals, which would create a “modern framework” reflecting today’s diverse society. The reforms aim to reduce inconsistencies in current law and give couples more choice over who officiates, where they marry, and how they celebrate. Lammy concluded: “These reforms will create a modern framework that reflects our society today – giving couples more choice over who officiates over their wedding, where they can marry and how they celebrate one of the most important days of their lives.”
