Changing times
Soon, hopefully, couples will have more freedom over where and how they get married for non religious ceremonies. Current regulations mean that you have to get married in either a register office or in an approved venue (meaning the local register office has approved your choice of venue to hold legal weddings). A Registrar usually conducts the ceremony in both cases.
If the laws are changed, then couples will be able to choose where and how they get married as long as an approved officiant conducts the ceremony. The officiant can be either a Registrar or a Celebrant. This means couples can choose wherever they like to get married (with some exceptions e.g. a rollercoaster as you wouldn't be able to hear the vows!) and will be able to have their say in the exact wording of the ceremony.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said marriage laws in England and Wales had "not kept pace with the social and cultural changes that have shaped modern Britain.
"They say you can't put a price on love – but too often, the cost of weddings puts this commitment out of reach," Lammy said.
"That's why I'm reforming archaic rules, so couples have more freedom to say 'I do' on their own terms, while strengthening safeguards to protect the meaning and permanence of marriage."
Signing the paperwork and consenting to the marriage in the presence of an officiant (i.e. a Registrar or a Wedding Celebrant) would be the main legal requirements during a civil ceremony under the plans.
The exact details of the government's reforms will be announced after the consultation ends on 24 September 2026.
The government would need to pass new legislation to make any changes to marriage laws, meaning the reforms probably will not come into effect until next year (2027).