UK Proposes Allowing Weddings at Homes, Pubs and Cruise Ships While Banning Gimmick Ceremonies

Couples in England and Wales would be able to hold legally binding weddings at private homes, pubs, beaches, castles or aboard cruise ships in international waters under proposals released by the UK government. The plans would remove the requirement that ceremonies occur only at approved venues, a rule that has stood for nearly two centuries.

Registered officiants would need to approve each location.

Ceremonies viewed as gimmicks that trivialise marriage would be prohibited under a proposed dignity framework. Skydiving, white-water rafting, rollercoasters and similar activities would be disallowed, while readings from Shakespeare or sing-alongs to Sweet Caroline would remain permitted if they stay within bounds of dignity.

Food and drink, including alcohol, could not be consumed casually during the ceremony.

Current limits on religious content in civil ceremonies would be eased to permit Bible readings. Non-religious belief organisations, including Humanists, would gain the right to conduct legally binding weddings. Signing paperwork and giving consent before an officiant would constitute the core legal requirements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said marriage laws had not kept pace with social and cultural changes. He added that the cost of weddings puts commitment out of reach for too many people and that the reforms would give couples more freedom while protecting the meaning of marriage. The average UK wedding cost £21,990 earlier in 2026, according to a Hitched report.

Outdoor weddings were legalised in 2021 but still required licensed venues. Scotland already permits ceremonies almost anywhere; Northern Ireland maintains venue rules for civil ceremonies. The consultation on the proposals ends on 24 September 2026.