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Wedding Law Reform
With couples seeking more personalised wedding options, wedding law reform in England and Wales has become a pressing issue. Current laws limit legal ceremonies to religious venues and registry offices, and registrar led ceremonies on licenced premises.
In response, the UK Law Commission proposed updates in 2022 to allow greater flexibility and inclusivity, enabling legally binding ceremonies across various venues and led by independent celebrants. If enacted, these changes would modernise wedding law to reflect today’s diverse preferences.
What are celebrant weddings?
Each year, at least 10,000 weddings in England and Wales are led by independent celebrants. While these ceremonies are entirely legal to hold, celebrants cannot currently perform legally binding marriages—requiring couples to complete the legal registration separately, adding cost and inconvenience.
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Celebrant-led weddings have soared in popularity over the past decade, up by 46% in 2024 alone according to HItched.com. This increase is clearly driven by the desire for personalised, bespoke ceremonies and increased awareness of alternative options. Yet, with current marriage laws dating back to 1836, reform is widely recognized as overdue, as the system no longer serves the diverse and inclusive needs of modern couples.
What is the wedding law review?
​The Law Commission’s review into the wedding law of England and Wales began in earnest in 2019, with the final report passed to government in July 2022. The Law Commission was asked by the UK Government to conduct this review due to the current laws being so outdated, complex and unfit for modern couples.
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In its final recommendations the Law Commission proposed moving away from the current buildings-based licensing system in favour of an officiant-based system. As an Independent Celebrant, I am delighted to see that independent celebrants were listed as one of the key groups that could be considered as licensed officiants.
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Ultimately it will be the government’s decision whether to a) press ahead with wedding law reform; and b) allow independent officiants and/or belief organisations to conduct legally binding weddings.​​​​​​
The Association of Independent Celebrants
Wedding Law Reform is a top priority for the AOIC. Discover the latest insights in this Q&A and briefing overview by Guides for Brides, in collaboration with the AOIC.
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There are ways you too can help this initiative, contact me to learn more.
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