Changes to the marriage act

[nykkieberry]

There are rumoured proposed changes to the Marriage Act next year that will allow couples to marry where and when they want (including outside).  Does anyone know where I can find out more about the proposed changes as I cannot find anything on the net!

[chris-n-vick]

firstly i will quote a snippet of info i found........

"The most recent development relating to civil marriages in England and Wales is the proposal of licensed 'celebrants' who may perform the civil ceremony (and other ceremonies such as baby naming ceremonies), but are not Registrars as such. It is thought that legislation regarding this will not be in place until at least 2006. These celebrants (appointed by local authorities) will be permitted to perform ceremonies in places other than currently 'approved, licensed' venues,although ceremony venues will still have to meet the approval of the celebrant. It should mean that outdoor and home weddings will at last be possible in England and Wales."

secondly, i suggest going to either your local library or registry office as i am sure both of those places will store some sort of information on this.

[nykkieberry]

Just found this .... :0(

5. Has the Government abandoned its plans to introduce a celebrant-based model for marriage?

Introducing a celebrant-based model for marriage requires legislative change. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in his statement of 1 March, confirmed that he no longer intends to present a draft Order containing such provisions but remains committed to the modernisation of the civil registration service in England and Wales.

6. Will people be able to marry at home in the near future?

For the time being, there is no prospect of any change in the law to allow people to marry at home and arrangements for marriage should be based on the present legal framework.