Did you know you can now get married outdoors?

Everything you need to know on the law update in the UK

19th October 2022 by Jack Baldwin

Were you aware that as of April 2022, the UK Government officially legalised outdoor weddings?

Last year (2021), temporary law changes were made (due to the Coronavirus Pandemic) to allow there to be outdoor wedding venues, and by extension outdoor weddings, thereby allowing couples to still get married with a larger number of guests than was previously allowed during the pandemic, allowing for a degree of social distancing.

This update follows overwhelming support from the public, religious groups, and the wedding industry to make the changes permanent as not only does it provide the marrying couple with greater choice and flexibility for their big day, but it is also aiding the recovery of the wedding sector following the pandemic. In fact, 96% of respondents agreed that outdoor weddings should be legalised permanently!

Therefore, couples can now, if they wish, have the whole ceremony outdoors and can hold more personalised ceremonies on their wedding day.

Justice Minister Tom Pursglove said, "A wedding is one of the most important days in a person‘s life and it is right that couples should have greater choice in how they celebrate their special occasion".

It is important to remember that, although weddings can take place outdoors, it must still be held at a licensed wedding venue. For example, you can now get married in front of a lake that sits on a licensed wedding venues grounds whereas previously you would have had to have the ceremony inside or under a permanent structure such as a bandstand.

Law Commission Weddings Report 2022

The law could be set to change further, following the publication of the Law Commissions report on weddings that was published in July of this year (2022). The report recommends that there should be regulation on the officiant and not the location which would allow outdoor weddings at locations that aren't licenced wedding venues.

This would see regulation shifting from the building in which the wedding takes place, to the officiant instead. This again would give couples greater freedom over where they get married as the commission proposes that weddings should be able to take place in ‘any safe and dignified location’. This would include, but is certainly not limited to, family homes, beaches, gardens, village halls, parks, even forests or cruise ships.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the introduction of this new regulation would allow couples to get married in smaller, more affordable locations, whilst also helping to clear the backlog of COVID weddings that still remains.

This would mark the biggest overhaul of wedding laws since the 19th century as many argue that the changes are needed due to the existing laws being 'stuck in time'. We are pleased to say that we can cover outdoor ceremonies on Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance policies!

With marriages and civil partnerships now able to legally be held outdoors, will you be holding your wedding ceremony outside?

Looking to get Wedding Insurance for your outdoor wedding ‐ Get protected today with Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance

With 8 levels of cover and the ability to take out a policy up to 2 years in advance of your wedding date, Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance policies offer the following:

• Cancellation cover – from £6,000 up to £80,000
• Financial Failure of Service Suppliers – up to £22,500
• Cover for Wedding Gifts – up to £17,500
• Rings, Flowers & Wedding Cake cover – up to £17,500
• Legal Expenses – up to £20,000
• Public Liability cover - up to £5million
• And so much more!

See the policy wording here for full information on what is and is not covered.

Please bear in mind that policies must be purchase a MINIMUM of 14 days before the ceremony date.

Want to see what some of our previous customers had to say about us? Check out our Feefo reviews to hear what other couples like yourselves had to say about Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance by following the link below: https://www.feefo.com/en-GB/reviews/dreamsaver-wedding-insurance

This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute advice in any way. The information provided here is correct at the time of writing however please check the latest policy wording here for the latest policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Click Here to Quote and Buy Today

Please Note: Policies must be purchased a MINIMUM of 14 days before the ceremony date.