The headline “Dream wedding by law” has captured the imagination of couples and business owners alike. It hints at the government’s long-anticipated overhaul of marriage law – a reform that could eventually allow couples in England and Wales to marry almost anywhere, from beaches and gardens to private estates and historic ruins.
But as of October 2025, these changes are not yet law. The existing system, based on the Marriage Act 1949, still applies. Weddings must take place in licensed venues or registered places of worship, and independent celebrants or humanist officiants cannot yet perform legally binding marriages. The government has endorsed the Law Commission’s recommendations to modernise the framework, but the reforms remain in the consultation and planning stages.
The Law as It Stands
Under current rules, a civil marriage must be held either at a register office or an “approved premises” licensed for weddings. Religious ceremonies are limited to buildings registered for worship and authorised for marriage. Couples who want a personalised or outdoor celebration – for instance, a humanist wedding on a beach — must still have a separate civil ceremony to make the marriage legally valid.
These restrictions have long frustrated couples and industry professionals who see the system as outdated. The Law Commission’s 2022 report proposed shifting the focus from the venue to the officiant, allowing authorised celebrants to perform weddings almost anywhere that is safe, dignified, and accessible. The proposals also recommend extending legal recognition to non-religious belief ceremonies, such as humanist weddings, which are already legal in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What Happens Next
The government announced in autumn 2025 that it intends to press ahead with reform, claiming the changes could boost the economy by more than £500 million and create thousands of jobs. However, ministers have confirmed that a public consultation will take place before any legislation is introduced. That consultation, expected in early 2026, will gather views from venues, celebrants, faith groups, and the wider wedding industry.
After that, a bill (or secondary legislation) will be drafted and debated in Parliament. Only once the new law is passed and commenced will the reforms come into force — a process that could take several years. Transitional arrangements will likely mean that existing venue licences remain valid for a time, while officiant-based regulation is phased in.
In short, the reforms represent a clear policy direction, but businesses should treat them as proposals, not operational law.
Opportunities and Risks
If implemented, the reforms would mark the biggest liberalisation of marriage law in a century. Venues that were once ineligible – from coastal hotels to heritage gardens – could host legally binding weddings. Humanist and other belief-based celebrants could operate alongside religious and civil officiants, bringing diversity and innovation to the industry.
For wedding businesses, this could mean new markets and revenue streams. Heritage sites may find new life as ceremony venues; planners and celebrants could design bespoke experiences without legal red tape. But until legislation is enacted, businesses must continue to follow existing rules. Advertising unlicensed spaces or unapproved officiants as offering “legal weddings” could expose operators to misrepresentation or consumer-protection complaints.
Contracts, Compliance and Consumer Law
Regardless of where reform ends up, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and related laws continue to govern all wedding-related transactions. Businesses must provide services with reasonable care and skill and ensure their contracts are clear and fair. Refund and cancellation terms should be transparent, and clauses that heavily favour one party or exclude liability without justification are unlikely to be enforceable.
In the wake of Covid-era disputes, clients are more aware of their contractual rights. Wedding suppliers should therefore use updated agreements that address deposits, rescheduling, and cancellation – especially when booking events far in advance amid uncertain regulation.
Insurance, Safety and Responsibility
The possibility of weddings taking place in new, unconventional settings makes risk management more important than ever. A ceremony in a meadow or historic ruin presents different liabilities than one in a licensed hotel. Businesses should maintain public liability insurance, ensure that subcontractors are properly insured, and follow all relevant health and safety requirements.
Historic venues and outdoor sites may also need to consider planning permissions, access rules, and the structural safety of temporary installations. Even as the law evolves, the duty of care to guests and staff remains constant.
Data, Digital Rights and Creative Content
Wedding businesses increasingly operate online – from managing guest data to sharing photography on social media. Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR, personal data must be stored securely and used only with consent.
Intellectual property issues are another common pitfall. Photographers and videographers typically own copyright in their work unless their contract transfers it. Using client images for marketing without permission can breach privacy rights. Similarly, playing music at receptions still requires the appropriate PRS and PPL licences.
Employment and Partnerships
With so many freelancers in the wedding sector, clear distinctions between employees and contractors are essential. Misclassification can lead to tax penalties or employment-law claims. Written agreements should set out responsibilities, payment terms and insurance obligations.
If officiants become central to the system, new partnerships will form between celebrants, planners and venues. Checking credentials and maintaining compliant documentation will help avoid disputes once the reforms take effect.
A Legal Evolution, Not a Revolution – Yet
The government’s ambition to open up the wedding market is widely supported, but change will take time. Until legislation passes, the traditional system remains in place. Businesses should stay informed, avoid assumptions, and prepare for a transitional phase once the new law arrives.
Author & Expert Insight
Sarah-Jane Butler
“These reforms are a welcome and long-awaited step, but it’s crucial for the industry to understand that they’re not yet law. Right now, weddings in England and Wales must still follow the existing rules. Businesses should keep their contracts and marketing accurate, and avoid promising services they can’t legally deliver. When the consultation begins, that’s the time to engage – to shape the practical detail of how officiants, venues and couples will navigate this new system. The opportunity is huge, but so is the responsibility to get it right.”
Sarah-Jane Butler is a UK Solicitor and Founder of Farringford Legal. She’s an award-winning specialist in UK SME legal and commercial matters, recognised for her innovative, client-first approach.
