Couples could soon marry on the beach, during a cruise or at their kitchen table under proposals to scrap current restrictions on where weddings can be held.
The Law Commission is recommending that weddings should be able to take place anywhere, providing the presiding official considers it safe and dignified.
Currently, religious weddings must generally take place in a registered place of worship and civil weddings in a registry office or at another approved premises.
The changes would also allow for more personalised content, such as the vows, rituals and songs chosen.
The recommendations would ensure fairer treatment for all beliefs, removing the anomalies of the current system, where different religions are bound by a multitude of different rules.
This includes creating a path to legalising non-religious belief ceremonies, such as Humanist weddings, in England and Wales, if permitted by Government.
The reforms would also allow the option for civil weddings to be conducted by independent officiants, as well as registrars, if accepted by Government – further expanding choice and availability.
While offering greater freedoms to couples, the reforms are designed to preserve the dignity of weddings, to retain important safeguards, and to protect the longstanding practices and rules of religious groups.
The Commission’s recommendations represent a comprehensive overhaul to current weddings law, the key parts of which date back to 1836 or even earlier. Many of the changes would bring England and Wales in line with laws in other places including those nearby in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Jersey, and further afield such as in New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
Commenting on the weddings law reforms for Government, Professor Nick Hopkins, Family Law Commissioner at the Law Commission, said:
“The current law on weddings is not working for many couples. Needless restrictions and outdated regulations mean that thousands each year are denied having a wedding that is meaningful to them.
“Our reforms for Government are designed to protect the established practices and dignity of weddings, while offering couples more choice on where and how they marry.
“There is widespread precedent for our reforms around the world. By giving couples more control over their weddings and ensuring greater parity for all beliefs, the law can support those who want to get married, rather than putting unnecessary barriers in the way.”
