Non-religious groups can hold legally binding marriage ceremonies
The UK justice ministry has approved reforms to 19th century-era wedding laws that will open up more venues for legally binding ceremonies, reported the Law Society Gazette.
Couples may now be married in venues that fulfill appropriateness and dignity standards. The regulation of wedding will lie with ceremony officiants rather than with locations.
This permits non-religious groups to finally hold legal marriage ceremonies. The amendments also simplifies religious ceremonies.
Per the ministry, the number of wedding ceremonies could increase by 3 percent. The legislative amendments could also generate up to 12,000 jobs and bolster the economy by £535 million over the next decade.
The initiative is part of the UK’s Plan for Change to spur growth.
“Our reforms will protect the solemnity and dignity of marriage while providing more choice for couples and unlocking untapped opportunities for the economy,” said Alison Levitt, the UK’s family law minister, in a statement.
The UK Commission had recommended reforming the weddings law back in 2022, having described it as “out of date, complex and uncertain” in a statement published by the Gazette. The original law dates back to 1836 and gives couples only two wedding ceremony options: religious or civil.
Couples conducting an Anglican church ceremony can give notice to the church, but all others must go to the register office. Couples are required to hold weddings in places of worship, register offices, or venues approved for civil ceremonies; those who wish to get married outdoors may only do so in the grounds of approved locations.
Ceremonies that do not meet legal requirements may result in the marriage not being legally binding, with couples only learning of the status at the end of a relationship. Thus, the government engaged the Law Commission to review the law in December 2014.
The government has indicated that it will open consultations on proposals next year and legislation would be introduced “when parliamentary time allows.”
“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 These vital reforms will mean couples from all walks of life can celebrate their commitment without outdated restrictions getting in the way,” said Alex Davies-Jones, UK’s justice minister.
