The Law Commission published its recommendations to reform Weddings law as far back as July 2022. On 02 October 2025, the Government announced couples will be able to get married at more locations including on beaches and at heritage sites, providing flexibility and choice to couples intending to marry.
It is said to be the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century. The reforms are aimed to the make the process simpler, fairer and less costly, while ensuring the dignity and integrity of marriage is protected. Under the reforms, couples will be able to marry in a wider range of locations provided venues meet strict standards of being appropriate and dignified.
The reforms will allow for legally binding religious ceremonies including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings, and will allow non-religious groups to conduct legally binding ceremonies for the first time. Wedding regulation will no longer be dependent upon the venue of the ceremony, and instead, regulation will focus on the officiant who is conducting the marriage.
The Government’s response was highly awaited. This is because today societal norms have greatly evolved and society is far more diverse.
A related area of legal reform concerns the reform of cohabitation law. This is because the current patchwork of applicable laws, can provide unfair outcomes especially to the financially weaker party of the relationship and their dependant minor children.
We are told that the planned changes will follow the Law Commission’s July 2022 recommendations to modernise Weddings law. The Government will undertake a consultation early next year.
The aim of the Law Commission when making their recommendations on both Weddings law reform and ‘cohabitation law’ is to modernise family law. The aim of the Law Commission is to accommodate contemporary societal norms and relationships.
If you are planning on getting married and would like to speak to one of our specialist family lawyers about a pre-nuptial agreement, please contact us. Our team can also advise on the legal rights for unmarried couples and cohabitation law.
