Marriage Law Reform: More Choice, More Meaning — My Recent Interview with ITV News
Last week, I had the privilege of speaking with ITV News about the groundbreaking changes to UK marriage laws — and why they matter so deeply to couples, celebrants and the wedding industry as a whole. With a decade’s experience as a professional celebrant, I’ve witnessed first-hand how many couples felt restricted by the existing regulations. Now, with reform on the horizon, real freedom is within reach.
Where We Are Now: The Current State of Marriage Law in the UK
Until now, the legal framework for marriage in England and Wales has placed far more emphasis on where you get married than who marries you. Legally binding weddings often needed to take place in a venue licensed for marriages (such as a registry office or a church) and the statutory process was heavily venue-based. In contrast, a growing number of couples have been seeking more bespoke and meaningful settings — perhaps a family farm, a public garden, a private house or a woodland clearing — with a celebrant who knows them personally.
Why hasn’t the law been reviewed till now? There are a few reasons:
The system evolved historically during a time when formal religious and civil institutions dominated weddings, so venue licensing made sense in that context.
Change involves multiple layers: legislation, safeguarding, regulation of officiants, and coordination across local authorities.
Some voices in the sector were cautious about opening up the process without clear standards — the balance between freedom and protection is not trivial.
However, as society has become more diverse in how couples want to mark their union — whether secular, spiritual, multi-faith or non-traditional — it became clear the system was no longer fit for purpose.
What the Upcoming Reform Will Bring
The proposed reforms shift the focus away from venue licensing and towards the officiant. In practical terms, this means:
Qualified and regulated celebrants will be able to conduct legally binding marriage ceremonies in a much wider range of locations.
Couples gain greater freedom to personalise the where, how and who of their big day — making the ceremony more reflective of their values, identity and story.
It opens up opportunities for more inclusive options: non-religious ceremonies, inter-faith weddings, second marriages, and venues that are meaningful rather than simply “approved”.
From an industry viewpoint, the reform could generate a boost for weddings, suppliers, venues and jobs — especially in more rural or non-traditional settings.
Why This Matters to Couples
As someone who works with many couples every year, what I hear most is this: they want their wedding to feel them. To feel genuine. To be less constrained by arbitrary rules and more shaped by their story, their relationships, their setting.
Imagine saying your vows in the place that means most to you — the countryside cottage where your relationship grew, the hilltop where you proposed, or the tree-lined garden your parents planted. With the reform, that sense of belonging and authenticity becomes more achievable.
And because the focus shifts to professionally trained and regulated celebrants, couples can rest assured their ceremony will still be legally valid and beautifully delivered.
My Role as Celebrant — and What It Means for Me
Having officiated weddings for ten years, I’ve seen countless moments where the venue felt right — but the legal side felt constrained, or the process felt impersonal. With this reform, my aim remains the same: to deliver an exceptional service that families will remember for years to come.
What I’m offering is not just a ceremony, but a reflection of the couple’s life, their aspirations, and their love. With the changes ahead, I’ll be even better placed to deliver that — less bound by venue-legislation, more focused on people.
Looking Ahead — What Couples Should Do Now
If you’re planning a wedding in the next one to three years, it’s a great time to think creatively:
Consider what matters most to you in terms of location, style and officiant.
Ask your celebrant about legal status — when the reform is enacted, how they will be registered or accredited to conduct legal marriages.
If you currently feel constrained by traditional venues or format, keep this reform in mind — it may open up new possibilities.
Book conversations early. With change comes demand — celebrants, venues and suppliers will need to adapt.
I’m Here To Help.
If you’d like to explore how your wedding ceremony could look under these new freedoms, I would be very pleased to work with you. Whether you dream of a ceremony in a converted barn, an orchard, a seaside viewpoint or a garden you already love — let’s talk about how we can make it personal, meaningful and legally sound.
Get in touch with me and we’ll arrange a no-obligation chat about your ideas, timeline and how the law reform may affect your plans.
The legal change is not just about where you marry — it’s about how you marry, and why. And for couples who want their big day to reflect their story, their values and their world — it’s a step in the right direction. I was pleased to discuss it on ITV News, and I look forward to supporting couples as this new chapter in UK wedding law unfolds.