Save the Date – Upcoming Changes to Wedding Law

With the summer wedding season in full swing, soaking in the seemingly endless sunshine of recent weeks, our Family team have been considering the recent recommendations from the Law Commission following their review of wedding legislation.

Whilst adherence with wedding laws does not tend to make the checklists which many couples use to organise their big day, many couples soon come to realise that it does dictate much of the ceremony and the formalities which go with how they plan their day. The current law dates back to 1836 and is strict, inflexible and doesn’t afford much choice to the marrying couples and religious groups.

To bring weddings up to date, a review was requested by the Government in 2014 which the Law Commission’s work began on in July 2019. The report, published this month, has recommended a comprehensive reform of weddings laws in England and Wales with the aim of allowing couples religious groups and potentially non-religious belief groups to choose how and where their weddings take place.

The core principles behind the recommendations are:

• Convenience – allowing couples to give notice of their intended wedding online, with the ability to choose the registration district.
• Publicity – notice of upcoming weddings will be more accessible as they will be posted online.
• Respecting beliefs – couples can have legally recognised weddings that reflect their values and beliefs.
• Choice – couples will be afforded the choice as to where their wedding will take place. This is an exciting recommendation, which would allow couples to have their ceremony on beaches, in their local park or in their own home or garden.
• New options – relating to the officiants who conduct the ceremony, and who can become an officiant.
• Certainty – clarity as to the consequences of non-compliance with formalities is important, and it is hoped that this clarity will ensure fewer weddings fail to be legally recognised.

These recommendations offer greater freedoms to couples whilst keeping in place important safeguards; the changes would enable couples to celebrate their special day in a place that reflects who they are, in a way that is important to them and truly celebrates their relationship.

It is hoped that the Government review of the Law Commission’s recommendations will prompt a change in the law which brings nuptials firmly into the 21^st century.

If you have plans to marry or enter a civil partnership and want to know more about the expert advice our Family team offer on wealth protection and succession planning, contact the team at family@rdplaw.co.uk or call us on 01633 413500.