It has been announced by the Ministry of Justice that, as from 1 July 2021, a wedding can be held outside. Previously, the ceremony had to be held inside an approved room or building but now, the whole ceremony can be held outside. The Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 will come into force on 1st July 2021.
Hold fire on some of your more ambitious plans – wedding on a bungee jump anyone? The regulations apply only to Approved Premises – the changes cannot enable outdoor weddings to take place on religious premises. However, those religious premises which are Approved Premises for civil partnership registrations will be allowed to hold civil partnership registrations outdoors, should they wish to do so. The legal requirements for approved premises are set out in regulations. For ceremonies in other types of building, there are complex legal requirements dating back more than a century which are fixed by primary legislation. The legal requirements for approved premises are set out in regulations. For ceremonies in other types of building, there are complex legal requirements dating back more than a century which are fixed by primary legislation. Existing Approved Premises will be permitted to use any outdoor areas in the venue for civil wedding and civil partnership registrations without having to re-apply for approval, subject to certain conditions.
It is also important to note that these are time limited relaxation of the regulations. They will only be in force from 1 July 2021 until April 2022. However, there will then be a consultation about any future changes. So, we are not at the point of you having you wedding in your back garden yet.