Wedding Law Reform: What it Means for Your Wedding

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a stunning wedding venue, a private garden, or a historic castle, only to discover it can’t legally host your wedding ceremony, you’re not alone. For many couples, the biggest limitation isn’t imagination or budget — it’s the law.

Proposed wedding law reform in England and Wales could soon change that. Currently, the law ties a wedding ceremony to the building where it takes place. The proposed changes would instead focus on the officiant who leads the ceremony. This opens new possibilities for couples across the UK.

In this blog, we explain the proposed changes, outline what will remain the same, and explore how they could affect your wedding plans.

What Are the Current Wedding Laws in the UK?

Under existing wedding laws in England and Wales, a legally binding wedding must take place in one of the following:

• A register office (commonly known as a ‘Registry Office’)
• A place of worship registered for marriages
• An approved or licensed civil venue authorised by the local authority

Since the pandemic, licensed venues have been allowed to host outdoor wedding ceremonies. For example, couples can marry under a marquee or gazebo within the venue’s grounds. Unfortunately, you still can’t hold a ceremony in other outdoor locations outside licensed venues.

When it comes to officiants, humanist and independent celebrants cannot currently conduct legally binding weddings in England and Wales. Even if you choose to hold your wedding at a licensed venue, celebrants are not legally authorised to perform the legal marriage under current law.

What Are the Implications of the Current Wedding Laws?

In the UK, many couples choose a celebrant-led ceremony because it offers more flexibility and personalisation. However, this type of ceremony is not legally binding.

This means couples must also arrange a separate legal ceremony at a register office. This is often held on a different day.

Having two ceremonies can increase costs and create additional planning considerations. It may also affect wedding insurance, particularly if a policy only covers one ceremony and reception.

Fortunately, specialist wedding insurance such as Dreamsaver can help as it can provide cover for multiple wedding events.

What Is Changing Under the Proposed Wedding Law Reform?

The proposed changes to wedding laws in the UK would move from a “venue-based system” to an “officiant-based system.”

Under the proposed new system, officiants — such as registrars, religious ministers, and accredited celebrants — would be licensed directly, rather than individual wedding venues. If the officiant is authorised, they could legally marry couples in a much wider range of suitable locations. This does not mean weddings could take place any location, as it needs to be safe, suitable for a formal wedding ceremony and respectful of the occasion.

This change could finally make humanist wedding ceremonies legally binding in England and Wales. It also opens the door for other non-religious ceremonies to be recognised by law. Couples would no longer need a separate register office appointment — one ceremony, in one setting, with one meaningful moment.

What Could This Mean for Wedding Venues?

If the reforms go ahead, the variety of wedding venues UK couples can legally marry in would increase. Popular options that do not currently hold a civil licence may include:

• Beaches and coastal settings
• Historic castles and stately homes
• Outdoor wedding venues such as private gardens, forests and parks
• Heritage sites and culturally significant landmarks

For couples planning multi-event or non-traditional weddings, this could be particularly beneficial. It may let them combine the legal and ceremonial parts to take place together. That way, the celebration can feel simpler and more memorable.

Couples looking for small wedding venues in the UK would gain more options. The change could also open up unique outdoor settings, giving couples greater flexibility to personalise their day.

What Other Changes to Wedding Laws UK Couples Should Know About?

These proposals don’t just affect wedding venues. They also planning to introduce a modernised notice process to make planning easier for couples with busy schedules.

Proposed updates include:

• Reducing the need for mandatory in-person appointments
• Allowing parts of the process to be completed online
• Moving away from paper-based registers

Couples could benefit from fewer visits to the register office. They would also enjoy a smoother and more straightforward administrative process in the months leading up to their big day.

When Is Wedding Law Reform Happening?

There is no confirmed date for when wedding law reform will come into effect. The reform still needs to go through consultation and legal processes before any changes can be introduced.

Until new legislation is introduced, couples should continue to follow the existing legal requirements. This ensures their wedding venue bookings remain fully valid and recognised.

If your wedding is further in the future, consider keeping an eye on these developments. They could give you more flexibility and choice when it comes to selecting your perfect venue.

What Does This Mean for Couples Planning Now?

Even with changing trends, UK couples must adhere to current legal rules. This means the official ceremony must take place in a licensed venue or register office. While outdoor celebrations are popular, they are only legally recognised when held within the grounds of a licensed venue.

Before confirming your wedding ceremony venue, check whether it is licensed for civil marriages.

If your wedding includes multiple events, like separate cultural or legal ceremonies, plan your schedule carefully. Planning ahead helps prevent conflicts and ensures all venues comply with legal requirements, making the day run more smoothly.

Final Thoughts: Planning Ahead with Confidence

The proposed wedding law reform could open up exciting new possibilities for wedding ceremonies in England and Wales. Couples could choose from a wider range of venues, from intimate wedding venues to larger locations that were once off-limits. This greater flexibility makes it easier to create a celebration that feels truly personal.

However, whether the law changes or not, one thing remains the same: weddings involve significant planning. From securing your wedding venue to booking suppliers and managing multiple elements of your celebration, there are many moving parts.

That’s why arranging wedding insurance can provide peace of mind against unexpected events that could disrupt your day — such as supplier failure, illness, or venue issues.

Get Wedding Insurance with Dreamsaver

At Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance, we provide cover for church weddings, civil ceremonies, and weddings abroad!

Plus, you'll benefit from the following areas of cover with a Dreamsaver policy:

• Cancellation Cover - up to £100,000
• Public Liability Cover - up to £5 million
• Financial Failure of Service Suppliers - up to £30,000
• Cover for Ceremonial Attire – up to £20,500
• Coverage for up to 6 Wedding Events

And so much more!

Click here to find out more about Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance.

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