March/April 2022

FUNCTION VENUES
Go Outdoors
Outdoor weddings are here to stay as the government announces
a permanent extension to licensed wedding venues
GETTY IMAGES
AFTER A robust campaign by members
of the wedding industry, the interfaith
community and the wider public, the
government has announced that outdoor
civil weddings and partnerships at
licensed venues will be made permanently
legal in England and Wales from April
2022. This legislation will be a permanent
extension to the temporary measures
that were introduced in 2021 to enable
couples to safely marry outdoors during
the pandemic.
A government consultation found
that 96% of respondents backed this
permanent change. 93% also supported
extending it to religious ceremonies. This
change currently only applies to civil
ceremonies and partnerships however
further reforms to religious ceremonies
are planned due to overwhelming support
from all major faith groups.
This is exciting news for the wedding
and events industry and opens the door
for couples to plan their dream outdoor
summer wedding.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR COUPLES?
Couples are often looking for more
meaningful ways to personalise their
wedding and this change will give them
greater choice and freedom to create a
“IF AN OUTDOOR CEREMONY
IS ATTRACTIVE THEN
EXAMINE WHAT OUTDOOR
SPACE THE VENUE CAN
OFFER AND WHETHER
IT IS SUITABLE FOR THE
CEREMONY”
more authentic ceremony. The legislation
will allow couples the ability to exchange
their vows in the open air surrounded by
nature. They must still book an approved
venue but the venue licence will be
extended to include all outdoor areas. A
woodland glade, a lakeside jetty, on a roof
garden or a clifftop field overlooking the
sea. So many more possibilities!
Before visiting wedding venues, couples
should think about whether they want an
indoor or outdoor ceremony. If an outdoor
ceremony is attractive then examine what
outdoor space the venue can offer and
whether it is suitable for the ceremony.
Consider seating space and accessibility
as well as the aesthetic qualities of the
site. If the weather forecast is poor then
what alternative ceremony venues are
available? Are they equal to the outdoor
setting? Could a temporary structure such
as a tipi or marquee be erected to provide
shelter and enable the ceremony to
continue outdoors?
The ceremony will still be required to be
officiated by a registrar and couples must
adhere to the legal preliminaries including
giving notice of their marriage or civil
partnership and providing identification
documents. The ceremony must also
include specific vows and be free of any
religious influence.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR WEDDING
VENUES?
Lots of calls from couples who have
already booked the venue and are now
thinking of changing their plans from
indoor ceremony to outdoor ceremony!
The venue will still be required to have
a licence to conduct civil weddings and
partnerships on their premises but
the licence will no longer be restricted
to indoor spaces. The licence will be
extended to include all outdoor spaces
provided that the areas are ‘seemly and
dignified.’ This will be determined by an
assessment undertaken by a registrar from
the local authority.
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