Marriage reform in England and Wales - it's finally happening!

Couples could marry at home, in the garden or a forest, on the family farm, in a community centre, pub garden, on a boat and many other places that are not currently licensed. 

One of the biggest proposed changes would mean that independent celebrants would be trained and registered to carry out the legal proceedings while still being able to provide a deeply personalised and meaningful ceremony for couples. 

This is crucial - having the option of having a fully personalised and meaningful ceremony delivered by someone they have got to know whilst legally binding is an absolute game-changer.

Hear me talk about marriage reform on BBC Radio Bristol 19/07/26

What are the current laws?

Currently, legally binding ceremonies can only take place in licensed buildings with a registrar reading from a basic script - one that is used for all couples. For many engaged couples, this feels restrictive so they opt for a celebrant-led ceremony on the day of their wedding. 

At some point prior to this, they will have gone to the register office to register their marriage. They declare that they are legally able to marry and say the contracting words in front of two witnesses. 

I have written a blog about this here.

What do the proposed changes mean?

The proposed changes would simplify the process and allow couples to marry anywhere. The reform would see licenses moved “from bricks and mortar to people and promises”. 

For couples who are concerned with their budgets (and let’s face it, who isn’t these days?) it would cut costs significantly but, most importantly, it will give couples more choice over how they get married.

It’s not just about location or budget

The couples I work with want a ceremony that:

• reflects their personalities.
• centres their values.
• tells their story.
• gives them the option of involving friends and family members without any restrictions.
• could reference their spirituality or include a ritual.
• might have a bible reading in honour of a grandparent or other religious member of the family.

Civil ceremonies led by a registrar are not allowed to reference any form of religious beliefs. Equally, couples do not know who will perform their ceremony until the day of their wedding.

Why independent celebrants need your support

• The reforms are long overdue. 

• The current system does not reflect the modern society we live in. 

• Including independent celebrants in the reform will truly modernise marriage but not everyone agrees.

• There are voices of dissent. 

• It is crucial that everyone who wants to welcome the changes makes their views known. 

• The proposed changes are the biggest shake-up of marriage laws for two hundred years. 

• Most people in England and Wales are not affiliated to a belief system and do not subscribe to worship. 

Who might oppose the reforms?

Some Anglican bishops in the House of Lords have made their disapproval known already. However, they are not thinking of the couples who don’t hold Christian beliefs. The reality is that non-religious couples form the majority of those currently getting married.

Humanists UK have also expressed views which advocate that only Humanist celebrants should be included in the reform. This is not a fully inclusive view. How many couples do you know who are fully paid-up members of Humanists UK and would therefore deem a Humanist celebrant as the only person able to officiate their wedding?

On both counts, concerns have been expressed over whether independent celebrants could hold ceremonies which are both dignified and serious. 

Independent celebrants are the right people to deliver legal ceremonies

Well, let me alleviate their worries. Professionally trained and qualified independent celebrants (like me) know how to hold a dignified space and how to bring the necessary reverence required by a wedding ceremony. 

When the moment arrives for couples to exchange vows and promises, everyone can rest assured that we take this very seriously. It’s an insult to think that there are those who disagree. 

Humour will always arise from a couple’s story and so it should - humans are funny! And there will be light-hearted readings, sing alongs and creativity that allow couples to have a meaningful ceremony tailored to them.

Independent celebrants are capable and are already delivering ceremonies which have the necessary dignified and serious moments. 

Instagram has shown me Humanist celebrants playing games of bingo in the middle of a ceremony and downing shots. If the government considers that serious and dignified to warrant inclusion in the reform then so too are tender, meaningful ceremonies expertly delivered by independent celebrants.

Most celebrants are independent

Some people assume that all celebrants are Humanists. This is not the case. There is a clear distinction between an independent celebrant and a Humanist celebrant. Humanist celebrants are fully paid-up members of Humanists UK and subscribe to the Humanist belief system.

Independent celebrants are not affiliated to any belief system. Therefore, when they are given the powers to conduct legally binding ceremonies, they will be free to reference a couple’s spirituality and incorporate religious references as the couple see fit. It also means that interfaith couples will be able to experience a ceremony which references both their beliefs.

It is the couples who win in this scenario. Giving independent celebrants powers to officiate legally binding ceremonies gives couples more choice and freedom than ever before. 

At the end of the day, it is about the couple and not about institutions that most people do not subscribe to.

What you need to do

What do you need to do? Respond to the consultation. If you are thinking of getting married, work in the wedding industry or simply love weddings free from restriction, you can make your views known.

The consultation is open until the 24th September 2026 and you can have your say here: Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales - GOV.UK

For some inspiration for what your legally binding ceremony could look like once the reforms are made law, go here.

And if you’d like to enquire as to my availability for your wedding, get in touch here.