New wedding laws to be introduced in the UK
Marrying couples will have more freedom over how they say ‘I do’, with reforms allowing them to get married on beaches and at heritage sites, the government has announced.
It is estimated that the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century could also open up 12,000 jobs and add over £100 million to the public purse.
The reforms will give couples more choice in how they get married, making the process simpler, fairer, and less costly, while ensuring the dignity and integrity of marriage is protected.
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. Couples will be able to marry in a wider range of locations provided venues meet strict standards of being appropriate and dignified.
These changes will mean marriage law reflects modern Britain, making it more straightforward for couples to have legally binding religious ceremonies – including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings – and allow non-religious groups, such as Humanists, to conduct legally binding ceremonies for the first time, the government said in an accompanying statement.
This 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, adding £535 million to the economy over the next 10 years, supporting 1,800 more businesses and delivering on the Plan for Change to kickstart growth.
“Marriage is one of our country’s most celebrated traditions and our plans will allow couples to have the wedding day of their dreams,” said Minister for Family Law, Baroness Levitt KC.
“Our reforms will protect the solemnity and dignity of marriage while providing more choice for couples and unlocking untapped opportunities for the economy.”
