Looking to tie the knot outside? Make sure it's legal!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we welcome any changes in the law that allow people to marry more freely. Following the Government's recent announcement that they'll permanently be making outdoor marriages across the UK legal, following temporary legislation introduced during the pandemic, this is great news to the thousands of couples who have creative outdoor ideas for their weddings.
However, there is still a criteria which couples must meet in order for a wedding ceremony to be legally valid, and it's important that couples don't get caught out. Barrister Kate Van Rol at 4PB advises on how to navigate the legality of getting married in an outdoor setting.
Couples across the UK will be overjoyed at recent announcements from the Government highlighting how measures to allow outdoor weddings introduced during the pandemic will now be made permanent. Soon-to-be-weds will surely be able to get their creative juices flowing even further when planning the ceremony of their dreams.
Couples have been held back for so long in holding an outdoor ceremony, with UK laws (dating back to 1836 I might add!) prohibiting couples from marrying in anything other than a permanent structure with a roof. With this in mind, it's no surprise that legal campaigners have long fought for reform, arguing that these laws were outdated and don't consider the growing ways how individuals might choose to marry, particularly in light of the growing costs of weddings in recent years. Some might want smaller and economical weddings, while others holding high-budget outdoor spectaculars under these new laws – giving people more choice is very welcome and certainly long-awaited.
Many couples may have previously felt 'priced out' of getting married, particularly younger couples who may not have extensive budgets but still feel it's important to be wed. This legal development is likely to make marriage for these couples more achievable if the wedding itself is in closer financial reach. On top of this, allowing outdoor weddings permanently will also provide more options for couples to hold their ceremonies in venues which allow for non-religious belief organisations, such as humanists or independent celebrants, to hold the ceremony.
Despite the newfound freedoms which this legislation will bring, please be aware that there are still certain processes which marrying couples must follow in order for their ceremony to be legally valid. The new legal development means that couples can wed outside but only in the grounds of a legally permitted venue, which includes premises such as a Registry Office, registered religious buildings and licensed military chapels, as well as certain premises approved by the local authority.
Additionally, all marriages need to be entered in the marriage register, which must be signed by both parties, two witnesses and any individual conducting the ceremony. It's vital that the ceremony be conducted by an individual (or in the presence of an individual) who is authorised to register marriages in the district. It's important to note that if that person isn't authorised to register marriages, the person who is registering the marriage must sign instead.
For all couples considering marriage, more choice in how and where to hold their ceremony is certainly a big positive. While many may hurry into holding their wedding ceremonies (particularly after two years of weddings being postponed during the pandemic), it still important to consider that marriage comes with legally binding financial consequences and expectations. As a divorce barrister, I've unfortunately seen the unhappy side of marriage when it does not last and new issues then arise. Marriage should absolutely be a positive step in many couples' lives, but it's also a decision that should be taken seriously and not rushed into with haste.
This isn't the only legal development for marriages we're expecting to see this year, however - the Law Commission (who provide recommendations to the Government on when legislation needs updating) is due to publish a report into marriage laws this July which will look at expanding the list of locations where couples can legally be married, as well as whether more types of weddings should be legalised. While marrying couples are only given the new opportunity for outdoor wedding ceremonies at this stage, it's certainly very possible that we'll see a future of weddings held in parks, beaches and even private homes!
Macmillan Cancer Support have launched their 2026 wedding stationery and wedding favour ranges
Macmillan Cancer Support have launched their 2026 wedding stationery and wedding favour ranges building on their existing collections. The beautifully crafted wildflower seed gifts are a new addition to the growing range of Macmillan wedding favours and are a sustainable way for couples to thank guests, honour absent friends and raise money for the rising number of people living with cancer in the UK. Macmillan's brand new personalised Wedding stationery range features six beautiful design collections to suit every taste and match the style of the big day. 100% of the profits raised will help Macmillan continue to provide physical, financial and emotional support for people living with cancer.
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A Candle That Unlocks Experiences - New Launch from Cupidly
UK gifting brand Cupidly has unveiled a new scented candle collection designed to go beyond traditional home fragrance, combining scent, personalisation and QR-powered digital content to create what it describes as a more interactive gifting experience. Each candle in the range features a discreet QR code that, when scanned, unlocks curated digital content such as playlists, conversation prompts, shared rituals and date-night ideas. The concept aims to turn a familiar product into something more experiential, encouraging users to engage with the candle beyond its aesthetic and scent.
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Gifting options for the upcoming wedding season from BHS
Wedding gifts for the 2026 wedding season should be meaningful twists on classic gifts like home décor reflecting a couple's personalities. There is also a growing emphasis on sustainability and intentional gifting, with eco-friendly products becoming more common. Ultimately, the trend in 2026 is about thoughtfulness - choosing a gift that feels unique, useful, and emotionally significant rather than simply ticking a box.
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Everything you need to know about prenups
Prenups are fast becoming a key part of wedding planning for many Brits, with new data from leading law firm Mills & Reeve showing a sharp surge in demand during the second quarter of the year, dubbed by the law firm as 'prenup season'. Brett Frankle, partner at Mills & Reeve, explains how the trend has developed and why more couples are choosing to put agreements in place ahead of their wedding. Over the last five years, we have seen a sharp rise in prenups between April and July, linked to summer weddings, preholiday planning and timesensitive instructions before ceremonies, with July proving particularly popular.
