The Ministry of Justice has announced that it proposes to amend the law on weddings in England and Wales to allow couples to be married at a wider range of venues than at present. In a press statement, it said:
“The reforms will give couples more choice in how they get married, making 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.
These changes will mean marriage law reflects modern Britain, making it more straightforward for couples to have legally binding religious ceremonies – including Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu weddings – and allow non-religious groups, such as Humanists, to conduct legally binding ceremonies for the first time.
This will also be a significant boost to the economy as it is estimated the reforms could lead to a 3% increase in weddings in England and Wales, adding £535 million to the economy over the next 10 years, supporting 1,800 more businesses and delivering on the Plan for Change to kickstart growth.
Minister for Family Law, Baroness Levitt KC, said:
‘Marriage is one of our country’s most celebrated traditions and our plans will allow couples to have the wedding day of their dreams.
Our reforms will protect the solemnity and dignity of marriage while providing more choice for couples and unlocking untapped opportunities for the economy.’”
Not before time…
Similar arrangements, established in the Marriage (Guernsey) Law, 2000, work well in Guernsey. Church of England weddings here are no longer restricted to church buildings. Whilst the take up of alternative venues is still limited, the options are much appreciated.
Unlocking untapped opportunities for the economy, but not for churches. Whilst it would be nice to think a church wedding is for those who have faith, it’s good to welcome others. Would Synod ever consider an opportunity for ‘church’ weddings, or blessings, to take place outside the church, I wonder, as the comment on Guernsey seems to imply?
References to marriage being “one of our country’s most celebrated traditions” and to “the solemnity and dignity of marriage” are just so much hot air in a nation which offers divorce on demand.