New Marriage Laws Could Mean You Can Get Married Almost Anywhere in England and Wales

Couples dreaming of saying “I do” on a beach, in a woodland, aboard a boat or at another meaningful location could soon have far greater freedom. This will be possible if the government’s proposed reforms to marriage laws become reality.

The UK Government has launched a consultation on plans to modernise marriage laws in England and Wales, with the aim of making weddings more flexible, affordable and reflective of modern couples’ wishes. In addition, the UK government says it wants to update “outdated” marriage laws to make weddings more affordable and give couples more choice over where they say “I do”. If approved, the proposals would represent one of the biggest changes to marriage law in decades.

What Are the Proposed Changes to Marriage Laws?

Currently, legal marriages in England and Wales are largely tied to approved buildings and licensed venues. This means many couples are restricted in where they can legally hold their ceremony, even if they have found the perfect location. As a result, often couples are obliged to have the legal marriage at a registry office. This is because the venue does not have the appropriate licence to hold a legal wedding ceremony.

The proposed reforms would shift the focus away from the venue itself. Instead, they would place greater emphasis on the officiant conducting the ceremony and the legal commitments being made. If the changes are introduced, couples could legally marry in a much wider variety of locations, including:

• Beaches
• Forests and woodlands
• Gardens
• Boats
• Historic castles
• Private estates
• Other meaningful outdoor or non-traditional venues

Could the Changes Make Weddings More Affordable?

One of the key aims of the reforms is to reduce the financial barriers to marriage.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the average UK wedding now costs around £20,000. Venue hire alone often exceeds £6,000 before food, drinks and entertainment are factored in.

By allowing ceremonies to take place in more locations, couples may no longer need to hire expensive licensed venues simply to make their marriage legally valid.

For many couples, this could open the door to smaller, more intimate and more affordable celebrations without sacrificing the legal recognition of their marriage.

Greater Recognition for Faith and Cultural Ceremonies

The proposals also seek to address long-standing inequalities affecting certain faith and belief groups. Currently, some couples are required to hold two separate ceremonies. One is to reflect their religious or cultural beliefs and another is to ensure their marriage is legally recognised.

Under the proposed reforms, more faith-based ceremonies could receive legal recognition. This would allow couples to celebrate their marriage in a way that better reflects their traditions while still receiving full legal protection.

Safeguards Against Fraudulent and Forced Marriages

While the proposals offer greater flexibility, the Government has confirmed that strong safeguards would remain in place.

The reforms include a two-stage notice process, involving online checks followed by an in-person interview with a registrar. These measures are designed to verify each person’s identity and ensure they are legally free to marry.

Officiants would also be required to meet strict standards. They would be responsible for deciding whether a chosen location is suitable for conducting a legal marriage ceremony.

Could There Be Any Risks?

Although the reforms have been welcomed by many within the wedding industry, legal experts have urged caution.

Legal professionals have highlighted that while making marriage more accessible is a positive step, it could also create new challenges if safeguards are not properly enforced. In particular, moving from a venue based system to one focused on authorised officiants places greater responsibility on those conducting ceremonies. Therefore, effective training, vetting and oversight will be essential to help prevent sham, forced or otherwise invalid marriages.

As with any significant legal reform, striking the right balance between flexibility and protection will be key.

When Could the New Marriage Laws Take Effect?

The proposals are currently subject to consultation and have not yet become law.

Following the consultation, the Government will review responses before deciding whether to introduce legislation. The exact details of the government’s reforms will be announced after the consultation ends on 24 September this year.

While there is no confirmed implementation date, the proposed reforms demonstrate a clear intention to modernise marriage law and better reflect how couples choose to celebrate today.

Marriage has evolved significantly over the years, and these proposed reforms could mark another important milestone. By expanding where couples can legally marry, recognising more faith-based ceremonies and reducing unnecessary restrictions, the Government hopes to make marriage more accessible, inclusive and meaningful.

As the consultation progresses, couples planning future weddings should keep an eye on developments. This is important as the venue options available in the coming years may be far broader than ever before.

If you are thinking about getting married and want more information about what this could mean for you, email us at info@blanchardslaw.co.uk for more information.