There has been a lot of noise recently about potential changes to wedding ceremony laws in England and Wales. So, we thought it would be a good idea to pull together a handy guide on the proposals and how they might impact you!
The Background to Current Wedding Laws
Until today, you could only get legally married in England and Wales in licensed premises or a church / chapel.
What is a licensed premise? Per the legal wording, a permanent structure with a roof and holds the relevant license! So, this includes registry offices, stately homes, as well as, summerhouses and gazebos.
However, outdoor weddings are growing in popularity. Yvonne Beck Ceremonies, one of our awesome supplier tribe members, let us know that over 75% of her ceremonies are now outside. But remember that currently you can’t get legally married on a beach, in a forest, in a field, by a stream, by the sea, in your back garden, on a boat…….
It’s worth noting that in Scotland, humanist weddings have been legal since 2005 and are also rising in popularity.
Feature photo courtesy of Damian Burcher featuring Star Ceremonies.
Photo courtesy Sarah Salotti Photography featuring a service by Cariad Personal Ceremonies.
So How Does It Work Now? I See Lots Of People Having Outdoor Ceremonies already?
Yes, you do because most of these are done by Celebrants. We love celebrants here at Unconventional Wedding because they offer such flexibility to give you the wedding ceremony you want. Often a lot of Celebrant ceremonies are already held in licensed wedding venues as more and more couples look for something different.
So, many couples have been doing the personalised wedding vows, quirky locations, dramatic settings …. and doing the legal bit in the days before. A lot of couples don’t mind doing the necessaries beforehand but it can split your wedding celebrations. I’ve also seen family tensions when guests realise they aren’t at the ‘actual’ wedding ceremony.
With increasing demand for outdoor ceremonies Celebrants are the perfect enabler for your wedding day. And they have no time restrictions either (well if it’s reasonable!). So if you want that starlit outdoor wedding ceremony you can have that too!
Photo courtesy of Star Ceremonies by Owain Turner
Here’s some of the wedding ceremonies our supplier tribe members who are Celebrants have been involved in
So, what do the changes mean to me?
The budget referred the current wedding laws to the Law Commission for them to conduct a review – this could take around 18-24 months. This review aims to promote a greater choice of wedding venues due to ‘outdated’ laws about how and where couples can marry.
Unfortunately, the steps announced don’t mean you can now have a celebrant marry you anywhere, but they are a step in the right direction. Anything that gives couples more choices for their wedding is good!
Please always check the full legal guidance for planning your wedding – the devil is in the detail!
Photo courtesy of Yvonne Beck Celebrant.
Will the changes to wedding laws go far enough?
Well at this point in time we simply don’t know! One thing is for sure is that the rigidity in the legal wedding structure isn’t going to disappear overnight. Bringing England & Wales into line with Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey & Ireland where humanist marriages are legal would be a start. So, we will wait and see what transpires over the next couple of years.
We do know that more and more couples are looking for choices when planning their wedding day. Celebrants remain the way forward to give you exactly what you need.
(1)1532438855.jpg?fit=1387%2C925&ssl=1)
Photo courtesy of Barnutopia Glamping, Weddings and Events.
Featuring our Celebrant & Venue Supplier Tribe members
Yvonne Beck Celebrant
Friendly, experienced, professional Celebrant, ready to create something totally unique just for you!
Cariad Personal Ceremonies – Leicester wedding celebrant
Cariad Personal Ceremonies ⋆ Ali Fleming ⋆ Independent Wedding Celebrant ⋆ Weddings and Vow Renewals ⋆ Creating the perfect, unforgettable wedding ceremony ⋆ Handfasting, sand, ribbon and ring warming ceremonies ⋆ Sharing love without limits ⋆ Putting the personal into wedding ceremonies You can find out more about Cariad Personal
Over on the blog - our guide to having a celebrant at your wedding day
How To Cope With The Postponed Wedding Blues
Today we have a guest blog from Leni Robson at Unique To You Ceremonies. She has shared some valuable advice about how to deal with a postponed wedding and look after yourself. She gently reminds us that our feelings are valid and it’s normal to experience grief! Over to Leni…
Over on the blog - more alternative wedding inspiration
Heather & John’s Fun, Relaxed Wedding Day
These awesome, relaxed wedding photos were sent into us by The Dignums Photography, and they instantly made me smile! Heather and John’s wedding was definitely one I wish I’d attended, with lots of dancing, drinking and hilarious antics. The relaxed vibe really shines through in the photos, and the couple
How to plan a festival wedding
Festival season is now in full swing! And we LOVE a good festival here at Unconventional Wedding HQ. Whether it’s the awesomeness of Glastonbury or the discovery of new music at smaller festivals, we always have a fabulous time at them! So why not have a festival themed, outdoor wedding? It’s
Babes With The Power Wedding – Gothic Wedding Inspiration
Sometimes you get sent a submission for a blog which just blows you away! You get drawn in by the drama, the detail, the venue, that cake (wow!), the textures …… all of it really! That was what is was like for me with this Babes with the Power wedding styled