A beach in North Wales, a castle, your own garden, even a boat!

For many couples choosing where to get married is one of the biggest decisions they will make when planning their wedding. But what many people don’t realise is that the law currently places significant restrictions on where and how a legally recognised wedding can take place.

That could soon change.

The Government has launched a consultation on what could be the biggest shake up of wedding law in England and Wales for almost 200 years.

So what is changing?

At the moment, wedding law is largely focused on the building or venue where the marriage takes place.

The proposed new system would turn that on its head.

Instead of the legal validity of the ceremony being so heavily tied to a particular building, the focus would move towards the officiant responsible for conducting the wedding. If the proposals ultimately become law, this could give couples significantly more freedom over where they say “I do”.

Potential locations could include:

• beaches and coastlines
• forests and other outdoor locations
• castles and heritage sites
• private gardens
• canal boats; and
• potentially even cruise ships at sea.

For those of us living in North Wales where we have some of the most beautiful coastlines, countryside and historic locations in the country, the possibilities are fairly endless!

It’s not just about the venue

The proposals go further than simply allowing couples greater choice over location. The Government is also considering a more consistent system for different types of weddings and changes to who can legally officiate.

This could make it easier for couples to have a ceremony which genuinely reflects their religious or non-religious beliefs, traditions and personal wishes, whilst still ensuring that the marriage itself is legally recognised.

Could it make weddings cheaper?

Potentially.

Anyone who has organised a wedding will know that the cost of an approved venue can make up a substantial part of the overall wedding bill. Allowing couples greater flexibility over where they marry could create more choice and hopefully, some more affordable options.

It could also be great news for smaller businesses and unusual venues which may previously have been unable to offer legally recognised wedding ceremonies.

Has the law changed yet?

No and this is important.

These are currently proposals being considered as part of a Government consultation. The consultation closes on 24 September 2026 and responses will then help shape any future legislation.

So, don’t cancel the wedding venue and arrange for everyone to meet you on the beach just yet! But if the proposals do become law, the traditional wedding could start to look very different.

What do you think? Would you choose a traditional wedding venue or would you rather get married somewhere completely different?