More outdoor weddings are on the cards following a change in the law.
Pre-Covid, couples planning to marry outdoors were obliged to take care of legalities within an approved room or structure at their venue. The law regarding civil ceremonies was eased during the pandemic and the government has now announced that from 6 April 2022 the relaxation is here to stay.
“This change in the law is a breath of fresh air for couples planning an outdoor wedding,” said Expresso’s Roland Schreiber.
“The requirement for legalities to be conducted indoors could certainly be regarded as a bit of an inconvenience – and in some cases quite a logistical challenge.
“This could entail the couple being ‘smuggled’ into a not-particularly-glamorous back room out of sight to take care of legalities ahead of the ceremony in front of their guests.”
However, the new rules only apply to civil weddings in licenced venues so that 100% outdoor beach wedding may have to wait a while!
Venues that will especially benefit are outdoor locations which previously weren’t able to offer legal ceremonies – typically meadows, woodlands and campsites available for wedding parties.
MORE CHANGES COMING
And that’s not all. A Law Commission report into marriage laws is due to be published in July. It will consider ways of modernising and improving marriage law, widening the locations couples can marry and considering if more types of weddings should be legalised.
The government is also due to set out its plans to legalise outdoor religious weddings soon.
“Everyone hopes for sunshine and blue skies on their wedding day, especially if they’re planning on getting married outside. And while no-one can predict what the British weather will do at least couples will now be able to have their entire legal ceremony outdoors in front of their guests.
“That destination wedding vibe is now within reach, more than ever before,” added Roland.
Read about the Expresso wedding approach and then why not take a look at some of our favourite Norfolk wedding venues offering outdoor ceremony options?
ENDS
Further reading:
https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/honeymoon-articles/destination-wedding/
https://www.brides.com/story/must-know-advice-for-destination-wedding-planning
