Earlier this week I wrote about the Wedding Law Reform White Paper that was presented to the Law Commission in November 2021 and the consultation that has been taking place since, leading to the proposals to modernising the Marriage Act 1949. The aims are to give couples more choice and provide more flexibility and inclusivity to getting married.
Thank you to Alison Hargreaves from Guides For Brides and our own, Sophie Easton of the Association of Independent Celebrants for simplifying and clearly covering the contents of the Law Reform Proposals that were released on 19th July
If you want to read the documentation in full or summary click here
In the conversation below Alison and Sophie discuss what is and is not included and what will and will not be affected by the proposed changes suggested for modernising the Marriage Act of 1949
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If you are celebrant, how would this potential law change affect your business? If you are planning a wedding, how could it affect your big day, and your rights to express yourself as you wish? You can help drive these changes forward by writing to your local MP. Here are the some guidelines:-
- Include your name and address at the beginning of your correspondence (otherwise it won’t even be read)
- Inform your MP about what the Law Commission has recommended, with links to the documentation
- Tell your MP how this law change would affect you and your business/wedding
- Explain the difference between independent and humanist celebrants (a link to the recent Open University study may be helpful here)
- Provide key stats that highlight how many couples are already choosing an independent celebrant, proving that the demand is there
- Attend an MP surgery or request a meeting – your MP is far more likely to understand this issue if you can follow up by discussing it face-to-face or over the phone.
