Government consults on reforming “needlessly restrictive” weddings law

It follows a report by the Law Commission in 2022, ‘Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings LawCelebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law’, which concluded that the current law, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, is “inconsistent and complicated, inefficient, unfair and needlessly restrictive”.

In the consultation document, published earlier this month (16 July), the Ministry of Justice observed: “The current law creates unnecessary barriers to marriage and limits choice. While some groups can marry freely according to their traditions, others must adapt to fit a framework that does not align with their beliefs. Non-religious belief organisations, such as Humanists, cannot conduct legally binding weddings at all.”

The proposals seek to strengthen the institution of marriage by ensuring the process of getting married is made simpler, clearer and more accessible to all.

The consultation is aimed at parliamentarians, religious and non-religious belief organisations, academics, independent celebrants, support organisations, local registration services and members of the public with an interest in the weddings law of England and Wales.

The Government committed in October 2025 to reform weddings law when parliamentary time allows.

It also committed to reform being underpinned by two key features recommended by the Law Commission:

• A move away from a system based on the building in which a wedding takes place towards one focused on the officiant responsible for the ceremony.
• The introduction of universal rules applying across different types of wedding (with the exception of Anglican weddings), reducing disparities between groups.

The consultation closes on 24 September 2026.

Lottie Winson