Wedding reform - Consultation launched

Today the Law Commission has launched a consultation on wedding reform.

Although the issues of how, where and when wedding ceremonies can take place have become acute during the Covid-19 pandemic, this project was commenced on the 1st July 2019 with a review by the Commission of the current laws relating to England and Wales (Scotland has distinct legislation).

The consultation which will run until 3rd December includes a number of proposals to modernise the current system including: 

• Allowing couples and those conducting weddings to choose where their wedding takes place, without unnecessary restrictions and costs. This would allow weddings to take place outdoors and in a wider variety of buildings.
• Provide a framework that could allow non-religious belief organisations (such as Humanists) and/or independent celebrants to conduct legally binding weddings.
• Allow couples to marry on UK registered cruise ships with a home port in England or Wales.
• Allow couples and those conducting weddings to choose the form of their wedding ceremonies will take, enabling the law to recognise the a variety of ceremonies that people use to mark their weddings, including religious ceremonies.
• Allowing individuals to give notice of their intended wedding remotely, and to choose the registration district where they have their in-person interview.
• Provide for online publication of upcoming weddings that will be accessible to the wider community.
• Clarify the consequences when a couple has not complied with the required formalities, and ensure that fewer weddings conducted according to religious rites result in a marriage that the law does not recognise.

The Commission have created a summary of the consultation which can be found here.

The full consultation paper (458 pages) can be found here.

Written submission to the consultation can made using the online response form, available on the Commission’s website. Alternatively, comments may be sent:

• by email to weddings@lawcommission.gov.uk; or
• by post to Weddings Team, Law Commission, 1st Floor, 52 Queen Anne’s Gate, London, SW1H 9AG.

What happens next?

After the consultation (3rd December) the proposals and consultation feedback will be provided to Government to decide which, if any, of the proposals to adopt as Government policy and enact in law. A statement from the Government would not be expected before Spring 2021.

We will keep you updated.