You Could Soon Be Allowed To Marry In Your Sitting Room

Frustrated brides-to-be, we may have some good news for you.

Changes to "archaic" marriage laws could see couples in England and Wales allowed to marry in a number of new locations - including in their very own homes.

The alterations to marital law are as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has seen thousands of couples have to postpone or cancel their weddings altogether as strict lockdown measures have put a stop to large gatherings.

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Those who have chosen to still go down the aisle have had to made alterations to their dream day, seeing only 15 people attend in person at the moment, with others watching the nuptials over Zoom.

Legal body the Law Commission have now said that marital laws in England and Wales, some of which date back to the 1800s, were "ancient" and "unnecessarily restrictive."

Under current law, couples must have their weddings in a registered building, be it a licensed venue or a place of worship.

But the changes proposed by the Law Commission would allow people to marry legally "anywhere" - including outdoors, or even at home.

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Kitchen wedding, anyone?

The new proposals could see the bride and groom exchange their vows via video call during any future national emergency, such as a war or pandemics.

Family law commissioner at the Law Commission, Professor Nick Hopkins, explained in the report that current nuptial laws did not reflect how society had changed, particularly in more recent years.

"Our proposals would give couples the freedom to choose the wedding venue they want and a ceremony that is meaningful for them," he said.

The changes could also see weddings become significantly cheaper. The average price of venue hire in the UK is thought to be around £5,400. Entire weddings cost, on average, a staggering £31,974.

Founder of The Marriage Foundation Sir Paul Coleridge added: "The Law Commission's exciting, new proposed reforms will relax many of the restrictions and open up the process so that couples can design their own wedding and tie the knot wherever they choose whether in their local church or local pub, a castle, a field or even in McDonald's.

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"We hope and believe that this will re-democratise marriage and weddings and usher in a new era of simpler, pared back ceremonies so that marriage will once again be for all.

"For far too long the perception has been growing that marriage is an out-of-date social arrangement reserved for the better off who can afford a lavish wedding and reception.

"Historically this was never so. As recently as only fifty years ago everyone wanted to get married, and they normally did, whatever their financial position."

Topics: Weddings, Bride, Life News, Dating, Sex & Relationships, Wedding

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley