A new marriage law proposed to the government by the Legal Commission could allow couples to marry and legally wed wherever they choose from 2023 – from a public beach to their own home.

The Law Commission of England and Wales has released reformed Wedding Laws to the government, proposing a system that would give couples more choice over where and how their wedding takes place.

With the release of its final report on July 19, 2022, the new law could allow couples to marry in a much wider variety of venues, including:

• outdoors, in a place that is not connected to a building, such as B. in a forest, on a beach or in a local park;
• in affordable local venues such as community centers and village halls, as well as in their own homes;
• in international waters on cruise ships registered in the UK.

The law will also allow couples to have a wedding ceremony that reflects their values ​​and beliefs, such as B. Humanists. Currently, no religious or spiritual element is allowed in a civil marriage, and procedures are strict for both religious and civil marriages. The new law would allow couples to:

• hold a religious ceremony in a place other than a place of worship and without the need for prescribed words to be included in the ceremony;
• have a religious ceremony led by an interfaith minister that includes aspects of each couple’s faith;
• incorporate some religious elements such as hymns and prayers into their civil ceremony, as long as the ceremony remains identifiably civil.

If the government allows marriages to be performed, non-religious faith organizations (like humanists) could do so on the same basis as religious organizations.

How and where to get married is currently strictly regulated and differs depending on the type of wedding. Couples must choose between a religious or civil ceremony, with no option for a ceremony reflecting other faiths.

With a few exceptions, all couples must marry in a place of worship, a registry office or a place approved for civil marriages. They also generally cannot marry outdoors, except on the grounds of approved premises.

If a couple does not meet the legal requirements, which can occur in some religious ceremonies, their marriage may not be legally recognised. People often only discover their lack of legal status at the end of their relationship, through death or through separation. This means the parties have no legal status or protection and are not counted as married.

There is no firm date, but if the law is passed it is rumored to come into effect as early as 2023. Fingers crossed!

The full report can be read here lawcom.gov.uk/weddings.

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