The unusual places couples in England and Wales could marry under new rules
- New government proposals in England and Wales could allow couples to marry in unconventional locations such as forests, beaches, at sea, or in their own gardens.
- The reforms aim to significantly reduce wedding costs, which currently average over £20,000, and eliminate the need for multiple ceremonies for couples with differing faiths or beliefs.
- The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) plans to simplify legally recognised religious ceremonies and, for the first time, permit humanists to conduct legally binding weddings.
- The proposed changes would shift licensing from venues to celebrants, enabling greater flexibility in wedding locations, with safeguards like in-person interviews to prevent forced or sham marriages.
- Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated the reforms aim to give couples more freedom while strengthening marriage’s meaning, with potential economic benefits estimated at £139 million annually.
More bulletins