Outdoor Weddings in the UK are now legal, but what does that really mean?

There’s been a lot of excitement about the news that outdoor wedding in the UK are now legal, but there’s also a lot of questions surrounding the news, including a key question…

HOW DO THE NEW OUTDOOR WEDDINGS WORK?!

Well, we have some answers for you! Yes, outdoor wedding ceremonies are now legal in the UK…but not quite everywhere!

During the pandemic getting married or entering into a civil partnership was made legal outside. This was to enable weddings to go ahead in the safest way possible. Before this ceremonies had to take place at a licensed venue indoors, or outdoors within a permanent structure, in order to be legal.

From 15th March 2022 these temporary rules have been made permanent to allow civil partnerships and non-religious weddings to take place anywhere outdoors at licensed civil venues in England and Wales. The rules for religious ceremonies are expected to change soon as well.

IMAGE BY STEVEN BROOKS PHOTOGRAPHY

SO WHAT DOES THIS ACTUALLY MEAN?

  • To legally marry outside, you need to hold your wedding or civil partnership at a licensed venue (not a private home)

  • You would need to contact the local registrar to conduct the ceremony

  • Weddings and civil partnerships no longer need to take place under a permanent structure

Unfortunately this doesn’t mean you can legally get married in your back garden with a celebrant led ceremony…..yet!

There is a Law Commission review underway that is looking into marriage laws, the final report is expected to be published in July. The report will discuss expanding the locations where people can get married and whether more types of weddings should be legalised.

Watch this space, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more.

V&C x

Victoria Ewing