Cruise ships could be venues for weddings in England and Wales, thanks to proposals to change the law.
Weddings would be able to take place in any “safe and dignified” location, including family homes and a wide variety of places outdoors, such as gardens, parks and beaches.
Following a detailed review, the Law Commission has recommended major reforms, which it said would see the “biggest overhaul” since the 19th century.
It said it is proposing “a fairer system that gives couples more choice over where and how their wedding takes place”.
The Commission recommends a new system that would focus regulation on the marriage officiant responsible for the ceremony, rather than on the building where the wedding can take place.
It said there is increasing public demand for simpler, more affordable and personal options, particularly as household finances come under pressure and the “Covid backlog” of weddings persists.
Many of the changes would bring England and Wales in line with laws in other places including those in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Jersey and further afield such as in New Zealand, Canada and Australia.
Professor Nick Hopkins, family law commissioner at the Law Commission, said: “The current law on weddings is not working for many couples. Needless restrictions and outdated regulations mean that thousands each year are denied having a wedding that is meaningful to them.
“Our reforms for government are designed to protect the established practices and dignity of weddings, while offering couples more choice on where and how they marry.”
The Law Commission is a non-political, independent body, set up by Parliament in 1965 to keep all the laws of England and Wales under review, and to recommend reform where needed.
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