UK Wedding Law Reform: What It Means for Marquee & Outdoor Weddings

In October 2025 the UK government announced what it describes as the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century. These reforms are designed to modernise how and where people can marry in England and Wales and they could create exciting new opportunities for outdoor and marquee weddings.

We want to try to explain the reforms, what they mean for couples and suppliers, when they’re likely to take effect, and how to prepare.

Photo: Two D Photography • Structures: The Duchess Pole Marquee  • Venue: Private Garden •

The Key Changes.

• Wider choice of locations:

  Couples will be able to marry in more places than before including beaches, heritage sites and non-traditional venues, as long as the location is considered “appropriate and dignified.” Source: Gov.uk announcement

• Focus shifts from buildings to officiants:

  Instead of the law approving only certain buildings, regulation will centre on the officiants (registrars, celebrants) conducting the ceremony. This opens up far more options for outdoor spaces and temporary structures like marquees.

• Greater inclusivity:

  The reforms aim to make it easier for all faiths to conduct legally binding ceremonies, and also allow non-religious celebrants, like Humanists to officiate weddings.

• Boost to the economy

  The government estimates a £535 million boost over the next decade and thousands of new jobs as more weddings take place.

Photos: Sonder Lust Photography • Structures: 10x10m Stretch Tent  • Venue: The Lakeside at Wild Berry Farm •

When Will This Happen?

The announcement was made on 2 October 2025. A public consultation is expected in early 2026, with legislation to follow when parliamentary time allows. This means the changes are not immediate, but the process has officially begun. You can read more about the Law Commission's recommendations here: Law Commission Weddings Project

Why This Matters for Marquee Weddings.

Right now, couples often have to separate their legal ceremony, usually at a registry office or licensed building from their marquee celebration. If the reforms go ahead, it could become possible to hold a legally binding ceremony in a marquee, garden, field, or woodland clearing, provided the site meets basic dignity and safety standards.

For couples, this means more freedom to marry in the setting they actually want. For suppliers, it potentially means higher demand and more varied requests for outdoor setups.

Opportunities for Couples and Suppliers with UK wedding law reform:

• More venues will be eligible: Farms, estates, beaches and private land may all be considered.

• Higher demand: The government predicts around 3% more weddings. For marquee companies such as ourselves, this could mean an increase in bookings due to higher demand.

• Compliance matters: Safety, accessibility and suitability will be key. As suppliers we should be ready to show standards and risk assessments.

• Closer work with officiants: Suppliers may need to coordinate with celebrants to make sure a particular site is legally acceptable.

Common Client Questions and Clear Answers.

• “Can we legally get married in our field or garden?”Possibly, yes - but it will depend on how “appropriate and dignified” is defined when the new law comes in.

• “When will the changes apply?” The consultation is expected in early 2026, so changes may not take effect until 2026–2027.

• “Will it cost more?” The reforms are intended to reduce barriers, not add costs. Some compliance checks may be needed, but overall it should simplify the process. Potentially this would cut costs by reducing the need for two events.

• “Does this affect non-religious or interfaith ceremonies?” Yes, the new rules aim to allow more flexibility and inclusivity, giving couples more choice in who conducts their ceremony.

Photos: Marcus Charter Wedding Photography • Structures: Yurts • Venue: Evenley Wood Gardens •

What Couples and Suppliers Should Do Now.

• Keep an eye on the consultation: Updates will appear on gov.uk.

• Audit potential sites: If you own land or work with venues, check access, safety and facilities now.

• Document compliance: Risk assessments, insurance, safety certificates and structural checks will all be useful.

• Connect with officiants: Build relationships with celebrants and registrars who will guide couples through the legal requirements.

• Educate clients: Share updates, blog posts, and FAQ's so couples see you as a trusted source of guidance.

Things to Watch.

• The definition of “appropriate and dignified” is still vague.

• Local councils or heritage organisations may add their own conditions.

• The reforms may be phased in gradually rather than all at once.

The UK wedding law reform is set to give couples far more freedom in how and where they celebrate their big day and that includes marquee weddings. While the details will be confirmed after consultation in 2026, the direction of change is clear: greater flexibility, inclusivity and opportunity.

This feels like a change that has been wanted by so many of our couples for such a long time. It is obvious that we welcome this type of reform. This isn't just because it could mean an increase in bookings for us, which of course is always welcome to a small family business such as our own. But because we know so many people want this, to truly reflect themselves on such an important day. Imagine an intimate lakeside ceremony then retreating to feast and dance the night away in a romantically lit yurt.

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding we would love to hear from you. Drop us a message info@funkymonkeytents.co.uk

Photos: John Woodward Photography • Structures: Pole Marquee  • Venue: Private Garden•