{"id":468658,"date":"2025-10-02T14:39:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T14:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/468658\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T14:39:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T14:39:14","slug":"major-marriage-law-announcement-to-change-weddings-across-england-and-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/468658\/","title":{"rendered":"Major marriage law announcement to change weddings across England and Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century, couples will be given more choice in how they get married, making the process simpler, fairer and less costly.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_JS377072018.jpg\" alt=\"Guests throwing rose petals on bride and groom\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>A wedding is a special occasion for a couple and their families (stock photo)(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Couples will be able to get<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/marriage\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> married on<\/a> beaches and at heritage sites under major reforms to the law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Currently, religious <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/weddings\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">weddings<\/a> must take place in a registered place of worship, while civil weddings can happen in a register office or at an approved premises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Couples are often forced <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/marriage\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">to get married<\/a> in a register office before then having a ceremony at another location, such as a beach, in a forest or on a cruise ship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">But in the biggest overhaul to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/marriage\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">marriage<\/a> law since the 19th century, couples are set to be given more choice in how they get married, making the process simpler, fairer and less costly.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/nigel-farage-party-utter-snowflakery-36000296\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36000296\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nigel Farage party &#8216;utter snowflakery&#8217; blasted as &#8216;ridiculous&#8217; Reform claim exposed<\/a><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Alex-Davies-Jones-visit-to-Advance-Charity.jpg\" alt=\"Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said the reforms will mean couples 'can celebrate their commitment without outdated restrictions getting in the way'\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said the reforms will mean couples &#8216;can celebrate their commitment without outdated restrictions getting in the way'(Image: PA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The reforms announced will see regulation of weddings shift away from buildings and onto the officiants running the ceremony, offering couples greater freedom to shape their big day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Under the plan, couples will be able to marry in a wider range of locations provided venues meet strict standards of being appropriate and dignified.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the changes will mean marriage law &#8220;reflects modern Britain&#8221;, making it more straightforward for couples to have legally binding religious ceremonies &#8211; including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings &#8211; and allow non-religious groups, such as Humanists, to conduct legally binding ceremonies for the first time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Planned changes follow a Law Commission review of marriage law. In 2022, the Commission recommended couples should be able to get married in a much wider variety of locations, including a place unconnected with any building, such as in a forest, on a beach, or in a local park.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">It also said people should be able to wed in affordable local venues, such as community centres and village halls, as well as in their own homes, or in international waters on cruise ships that are registered in the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The Government will undertake a consultation early next year into reforming the law. Legislation to change the law will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The MoJ said the move will also be a significant boost to the economy as it is estimated the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in weddings in England and Wales.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">It said this could add \u00a3535million to the economy over the next 10 years, supporting 1,800 more businesses and up to 12,000 jobs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Minister for family law Baroness Levitt KC said: \u201cMarriage is one of our country\u2019s most celebrated traditions and our plans will allow couples to have the wedding day of their dreams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">\u201cOur reforms will protect the solemnity and dignity of marriage while providing more choice for couples and unlocking untapped opportunities for the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said: \u201cMine and my husband\u2019s wedding day was incredibly special \u2013 personal, meaningful and an unforgettable celebration of our love. Every couple deserves the same.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">\u201cOur wedding laws should match our country\u2019s needs. These vital reforms will mean couples from all walks of life can celebrate their commitment without outdated restrictions getting in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/join-free-mirror-politics-whatsapp-31020715\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"31020715\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century, couples will be given more choice in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":468659,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5008],"tags":[748,393,4884,2603,2548,22146,285,109818,16,15,64927],"class_list":{"0":"post-468658","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-england","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-love","12":"tag-marriage","13":"tag-ministry-of-justice","14":"tag-politics","15":"tag-the-economy","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-wedding-day"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115305091324859064","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=468658"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468658\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/468659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=468658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=468658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=468658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}