Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales

This consultation seeks views on reforming weddings law in England and Wales. It follows the Law Commission’s 2022 report, Celebrating Marriage: A New Weddings Law, and the government’s announcement in October 2025 of its intention to reform the law when parliamentary time allows.

The framework governing weddings law dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. It consists of a myriad of rules that apply inconsistently to different groups. In its 2022 report, the Law Commission concluded that the law was “inconsistent and complicated, inefficient, unfair and needlessly restrictive”.

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.

To address this, 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. Firstly, 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. Secondly, the introduction of universal rules applying across different types of wedding (with the exception of Anglican weddings), reducing disparities between groups.

This consultation builds on those commitments by developing a fuller picture of how the key elements of weddings reform should operate in practice.