Marriage Law Reform Update: What It Means for Independent Celebrants in England and Wales

The conversation around marriage law reform has gathered fresh momentum, with the UK Government confirming a consultation on wedding law reform in early 2026. For independent celebrants and those considering celebrancy as a career, this marks a pivotal moment — one that could redefine how couples in England and Wales marry and who can legally officiate their ceremony.

To help the celebrant community understand what’s changing and why it matters, Academy of Modern Celebrancy (AMC) Mentor Laura Crockett spoke with Professor Russell Sandberg, Professor of Law at Cardiff University and one of the UK’s leading voices on the intersection of law, religion, and marriage.

Their discussion explored the history of the current law, the slow-moving journey toward reform, and what the forthcoming consultation means for independent celebrants.

Watch their entire conversation below, or read on for a full breakdown of what’s happening with Marriage Law Reform, how celebrants could be impacted, and what actions you can take now to influence the outcome.

Who is Professor Russell Sandberg?

Professor Russell Sandberg is Professor of Law at Cardiff University, where he has spent over two decades studying the relationship between law, religion, and society. His book Religion and Marriage Law: The Need for Reform (2021) helped frame the public debate about how outdated the Marriage Act 1949 has become.

Sandberg’s research first drew attention by examining religious-only marriages; ceremonies meaningful to couples but without legal standing. His work exposed how thousands of people, particularly within faith communities, found themselves without legal protection after separating, often because they did not realise their marriages weren’t legally recognised.

This, he explains, is what first made him realise that marriage law was “not fit for modern life” and needed reform.

Why the Law Needs Reform

The Marriage Act 1949 consolidated centuries of earlier legislation and remains the foundation of marriage law in England and Wales today. It created a building-based system, meaning legal marriages can only take place in licensed venues, conducted by approved officiants (religious ministers or registrars).

While this framework may have worked for mid-20th-century Britain, society has changed dramatically. Couples now want flexibility, inclusivity, and meaning, from outdoor celebrations and interfaith unions, to same-sex weddings that blend cultural or spiritual traditions.

Yet the law has not kept up. Couples choosing an independent celebrant must still complete a separate legal registration, often on a different day and in a registry office. The result is a system that feels outdated, confusing, and, for many, unfair.

Marriage Law Reform: Timeline

The Law Commission Review: 2019–2022

The Law Commission of England and Wales launched a full review of marriage law in 2019 at the Government’s request. Following two rounds of public consultation, it published its final report on 19 July 2022, recommending a fundamental shift in how marriage is regulated.

The key proposal:

Move from a building-based system to an officiant-based system.

In other words, weddings would no longer be tied to specific licensed buildings. Instead, authorised officiants could conduct legal marriages anywhere — on a beach, in a garden, at home, or in a community venue — as long as certain procedural requirements were met.

The Law Commission emphasised that reform should make the law fairer, simpler, and more reflective of modern values, giving couples more choice over where, how, and by whom they marry.

Despite widespread support, the Government failed to respond within the six months legally expected after publication. It took more than three years — and a change in Government — for an official response to arrive.

Read AMC’s earlier analysis:

• Law Commission Review Published
  
• Law Reform Update for Celebrants
  

The House of Lords Debate – October 2024

On 18 October 2024, the House of Lords held a major debate on wedding law reform. Peers from across political and religious backgrounds expressed frustration at the Government’s ongoing delay in implementing the Law Commission’s recommendations.

The discussion centred on the urgent need to recognise Humanist marriages and modernise a system that many called “out of touch with modern Britain.” Several Lords also raised concerns that couples choosing non-religious or independent ceremonies were left without legal recognition or protection.

The Government acknowledged that reform was necessary but offered no clear timetable, promising only to “continue to consider” the issue.

This debate marked a turning point, re-energising public and political support for reform — and laying the groundwork for the Government’s 2025 announcement.

The Government’s 2025 Announcement

On 2 October 2025, the Ministry of Justice issued a press release titled “Major boost to economy through wedding law reform”. It confirmed that the Government will undertake a public consultation in early 2026, with legislation to follow “when parliamentary time allows.”

Announced on 2 October, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that the biggest overhaul to marriage law since the 19th century could open up 12,000 jobs and add over £100 million to the public purse.

The reforms are also expected to deliver a significant boost to the UK economy, with estimates predicting a 3% increase in weddings across England and Wales, adding £535 million over the next decade, supporting 1,800 more businesses, and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change to kickstart growth.

The release emphasised the potential economic and social benefits of modernising wedding law, stating that reform could “boost the economy by making weddings more accessible and affordable.”

However, while it explicitly referenced Humanist weddings, it made no mention of Independent Celebrants.

It is all but confirmed that, if this Marriage Law Reform proceeds, Humanist Celebrants will gain the legal right to marry couples, following a successful Human Rights Act challenge that found their exclusion discriminatory.

The central question now is whether Independent Celebrants will be treated equally, or whether reform will stop short, legalising only Humanist officiants.

What the Consultation Will Decide

Professor Sandberg explains that the 2026 public consultation will be the next decisive step:

“The Law Commission’s recommendations give the Government the framework to include both Humanist and Independent Celebrants. The question is simply how widely they choose to draw the definition of officiant.”

He warns that the Ministry of Justice’s wording — describing future ceremonies as “dignified and solemn” — could signal hesitation about recognising independent celebrants:

“That phrase is a euphemism. It’s often used to question the professionalism of independent celebrants and to placate those who oppose marriage reform. It’s snobbery disguised as caution.”

Opposition from certain religious and traditionalist groups may be strong, and the phrase “dignified and serious” could be used to appease them. But, as Sandberg notes, the reality is that independent celebrants already conduct ceremonies every bit as dignified and meaningful as Humanist or religious weddings.

Why Independent Celebrants Must Be Included

Legalising Humanist weddings alone would not resolve the inequality at the heart of the current system. As Professor Sandberg explains:

“Recognising Humanist marriages while excluding Independent Celebrants doesn’t remove discrimination — it simply shifts it.”

Independent celebrants occupy a unique position. They are the only officiants able to design ceremonies that are fully inclusive — whether that means blending belief systems, reflecting cultural diversity, or including elements of religion for couples who cannot be married in a church.

For example:

• Interfaith couples who wish to honour both religions within one ceremony
  
• Same-sex couples whose local church will not marry them
  
• Divorcees who wish to include faith elements but are excluded from religious venues
  

An officiant-led system that excludes independent celebrants would continue to discriminate against these couples and fail to reflect the inclusive reality of modern relationships.

The Wider Economic Case for Inclusion

Beyond equality, the inclusion of independent celebrants makes clear economic sense. The Government’s own figures show that wedding law reform could inject over half a billion pounds into the economy and create thousands of new jobs.

Recognising independent celebrants as authorised officiants would amplify this impact even further, unlocking growth for non-licensed venues, such as farms, gardens, private estates, and hospitality venues that currently cannot host legal ceremonies.

By enabling celebrant-led weddings to be fully legal, couples could hold their entire celebration in one place — removing the need for additional registry office bookings and increasing spending on local venues, accommodation, florists, caterers, photographers, and celebrant services.

It’s a win-win for both couples and the economy: couples gain freedom of choice, celebrants and small businesses gain new opportunities, and the Government achieves the growth and equality outcomes promised in its Plan for Change.

Lessons from Other Jurisdictions

Professor Sandberg notes that England and Wales are lagging behind neighbouring regions:

• Scotland already allows Humanist and other non-religious belief groups to conduct legal weddings
  
• Ireland operates a similar inclusive model
  
• Guernsey and Jersey have systems where independent celebrants can be authorised officiants
  

These examples prove that change is possible — and that inclusivity need not come at the expense of dignity or legal rigour.

Preparing for the 2026 Consultation

The consultation, expected in early 2026, will be open to everyone — individuals, celebrants, organisations, and couples.

Professor Sandberg stresses that collective engagement will be vital:

“It’s essential that independent celebrants respond coherently and consistently. MPs and policymakers still don’t fully understand who independent celebrants are or what they do. This is the time to educate them.”

To ensure independent celebrants have a strong, unified voice, The Academy of Modern Celebrancy will be represented through its sister organisation, The Celebrant Guild, which is mobilising a dedicated team through the Give Couples Choice Movement to present a united front on behalf of independent celebrants.

The Celebrant Guild’s role will be to lobby MPs, educate policymakers, and campaign for equality, ensuring that independent celebrants are granted the same legal rights as Humanist celebrants under any new marriage law.

Professor Sandberg recommends that celebrants also take individual action to support the collective effort by:

• Building relationships with MPs now — introduce yourself and your work
  
• Inviting MPs to observe ceremonies to see the professionalism and dignity of celebrant-led weddings firsthand
  
• Gathering testimonials from couples who have chosen celebrant-led ceremonies, highlighting how the current system disadvantages them
  
• Using the Government’s own language around equality, accessibility, and economic benefit when responding to the consultation
  

As Sandberg puts it:

“Get ready to fight. The more important battle now is to ensure that independent celebrants are included. If the goal is accessibility and equality, replacing one form of discrimination with another is unacceptable.”

Political Realities and Timing

While the current Labour Government has expressed support for marriage law reform, progress may still be slow. Sandberg warns that parliamentary priorities and changes in Government could derail the process:

“This needs to be done while Labour is in power. A future government may not share the same reforming agenda. We can’t assume it’s a done deal.”

That means now is the moment for the celebrant community to stay visible, vocal, and united.

The Academy of Modern Celebrancy’s Position

At the Academy of Modern Celebrancy, we believe that every couple deserves the right to have their marriage legally recognised, regardless of faith, belief, or background.

We fully support marriage law reform that recognises independent celebrants as authorised officiants, alongside Humanist celebrants and faith leaders.

Legal reform must:

• Reflect modern Britain’s diversity
  
• End existing inequalities
  
• Empower couples to choose a ceremony that reflects who they are
  

Next Steps

The forthcoming consultation on marriage law reform marks a critical moment for the celebrant profession. The Law Commission’s recommendations provide a roadmap for equality, but it will take a united effort from the celebrant community to ensure independent celebrants are not left behind.

As Professor Sandberg reminds us, this is not just about law — it’s about fairness, inclusion, and the right for every couple to have their love recognised on their own terms.

“The key message is simple: marriage law reform must be about equality of choice. Anything less is not real reform.”

Stay informed with ongoing updates for Celebrants via The Give Couples Choice Movement or sign up to join the movement here.