Government Plans to Reform Marriage: Have your Say!

On 16th July, the Government issued a consultation into the proposed reform of wedding law in England and Wales, Tying the Knot: Reforming weddings law in England and Wales.  The consultation closes on 24th September, and the expressed aim is to remove what it calls unnecessary barriers to marriage and current limitations on choice.

The Consultation states that it is particularly interested in hearing from representatives of religious and non-religious belief organisations, that will more adequately reflect our culturally diverse society, and to remove what it calls ‘outdated restrictions’ on where people can marry. It wants to get away, it says, from a buildings-based approach to weddings, giving equal status to ‘other’ religious, mixed-religious, and humanist ceremonies, that will allow the expression of consent through actions or ritual.

One could argue that, in multi-cultural, multi-faith Britain, giving couples choice over who officiates at their wedding, where they can marry, and how they choose to celebrate is commendable.  However, the proposed changes will further separate the UK from its Christian roots and identity, and will weaken the already ailing institution of marriage.  And though the consultation document states that protections against forced, predatory and sham marriage will be strengthened, so as to ensure that marriages are always entered into freely and with informed consent, in practice it is hard to see how this might be maintained.  In Muslim communities, for example, we know there is already a problem of young girls being coerced by their families into marriage, and if the ceremonies are now allowed to take place in the home, free of outside scrutiny, how can we possibly ensure that the marriage is being entered into willingly?  Similarly – and this may appear far-fetched – but if all reference to the biological sex of the parties to the wedding is removed, in order not to discriminate against same sex couples, and if there is no external oversight of the ceremony, apart from that provided by the officiant, how can we ensure that only two people are party to the marriage?

Some today will doubtless say, so what?  Why does it matter?  Society has moved on, so why shouldn’t people get married whatever way they want?  But such an approach trivialises the dignity and significance of a consciously formal and public occasion, demeaning the sanctity and importance of marriage, and thereby weakening society.

From the beginning of history, when our ancestors first gathered in tribes, ‘family’ has provided the foundation for society, giving security in a sometimes dangerous and hostile world. To work, the union of a man and woman demanded not just love, but faithfulness and commitment.  Our forbears knew it was not to be undertaken lightly. By now placing the emphasis on enjoyment, however, enabling the couple to have ‘the wedding they want, in the way they want and in the place they want’, we are saying subliminally, ‘your enjoyment is all that matters.’ And from there, it is but a short step to saying, ‘So if you’re not happy, move on!’

Whatever one’s religious belief, or indeed lack of belief, by making weddings more informal and touchy-feely, we are actually creating a climate that further undermines the seriousness of an institution that underpins society.  We are encouraging family breakdown – which in turn increases the fragmentation and ultimate collapse of society.

For the greater good, this so-called reform of wedding law must be resisted.

Summer break 2026

Schools are out, and VfJUK will be taking its customary break over August.  Our office will be closed from 1st August till 1st September.  Emails will still be monitored, however, so that you can contact us, should the need arise.

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