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How To Move Your Wedding Ceremony Outdoors In England and Wales

How To Move Your Wedding Ceremony Outdoors In England and Wales


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
8th of March 2023

Following the news on the 15th March 2022, that outdoor civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies are becoming permanent in England and Wales, we’ve looked at the advantages of an outdoor wedding in a post-pandemic world and the points you, your venues and suppliers will need to consider if you are moving your ceremony outside.

Who can have an outdoor wedding?

Anyone holding a civil ceremony in a licensed venue can now be married outdoors. The permanent change to the law will allow for all venues licensed to hold civil marriage and partnership ceremonies to hold these ceremonies outside. Previously, couples needed to be under a permanent structure that was licensed for the ceremony to be legally binding.

This was originally a temporary measure in England and Wales to allow for larger guest numbers and reduced risk of transmission during the pandemic. It was due to be in place from July 2021 - April 2022. This permanent change will come in from 6th April 2022 and provide greater flexibility and choice for couples and for businesses in the wedding sector.

What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?

The marriage laws are different in each UK nation. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is the officiant that is licensed. This means that those marrying in Scotland and Northern Ireland are already allowed to have their civil ceremony outdoors and it is down to the person officiating the ceremony to deem whether the setting is appropriate. 

Couple just married after outdoor wedding ceremony

Advantages of an outdoor ceremony

Larger numbers for the ceremony

While social distancing is now a thing of the past, in most cases, the use of outdoor space will mean the venue is able to accommodate more guests for your wedding ceremony.

Outside is Safer

Being outside decreases the risk of the coronavirus being transmitted. Your guests are likely to feel more comfortable at the event if they are outside, especially those who are more vulnerable to the virus.

Better use of space

Many venues will benefit from the extra flexibility that comes from using a marquee or outside space for the ceremony so that they don’t need to ‘turn around’ the ceremony room for use later in the day. 

Outdoor wedding taking place

Outdoor wedding considerations

Weather, Weather, Weather

We all know the weather in the UK can be unpredictable. So, make sure you (and your guests) are prepared for all weather situations for your outdoor wedding.

Your numbers will ultimately be restricted by that wet weather alternative - unless of course you are happy to uninvite guests!  

Sun and Heat - For hot and sunny weather, you’ll need to ensure your guests have access to shade, water and sun cream. Umbrellas, marquees, stretch tents or trees can help with shade. 

Rain - You’ll need to have a wet weather contingency plan in place. Agree in advance with your venue when they will revert to the contingency plan and be aware that, if in doubt, they’ll need to play safe and move indoors. It’s not a decision that can be made at short notice.

Wind - On windy days, it can be difficult for guests to hear the ceremony and the vows. Using a microphone will help your guests hear everything that is being said, but bear in mind there may be restrictions on amplified sound outside at your venue.

wedding day couple under clear umbrella in the rain

Grass and unstable footing

Tell your guests that your wedding might be moving outdoors so that they can dress accordingly. If your wedding is taking place on grass or an area of unstable terrain, they may want to wear flat shoes or other suitable footwear.

If you or your bridal party are wearing heeled shoes, consider investing in heel stoppers to prevent ruining both the lawn at the venue and your shoes! 

Legal Requirements

In order for your ceremony to go ahead, the location of the wedding will need to meet certain requirements.

License - In order for your marriage or civil partnership to be legally binding, your ceremony must take place on the grounds of a venue that is already licensed for civil ceremonies.

Public Access - The location chosen must have public access, but ideally where there’s no risk of passers-by heckling during the ceremony.

Appropriate Signage - There’s a requirement for correct signage.

“Seemly and Dignified” - Your ceremony location needs to be in a ‘seemly and dignified’ location. The change in law is all about allowing couples to get their guests outside, not about allowing couples to get married halfway up a tree! If that’s the dream, this is something you can do, but you will need to have a celebrant-led ceremony and complete the legal formalities at another time. 

Couple getting married outdoors

How do I move my wedding outside?

Speak with your venue

Your venue will ultimately have the final say on this decision. Their teams will need to consider the logistics of the move, including whether their existing furniture would be able to be moved outside or whether they need to invest in or rent new furniture. They will also need to assess the space they have and update their risk assessments. 

Agree the wet weather plan

Once your venue has given the go ahead for an outdoor affair, they will need to agree with you on the point at which the wedding moves inside or undercover. Remember, if needing to move indoors, this could mean less guests being allowed at the last moment. So, it’s important to be on the same page with the timings for this decision.

Outdoor wedding taking place

Can we get married in a marquee?

Yes, civil ceremonies will now be able to take place fully outdoors or under a partially covered structure. So, you can get married in a marquee, stretch tent, tipi, yurt or any similar structure, as long as it is set up within the grounds of a licensed wedding venue.

Some venues are already erecting marquees and stretch tents for the season, but there may be additional costs, organisation time, risk assessments and permission required from the council to allow for this.

Can we have confetti? 

This will be down to your venue's policies. Cleaning up confetti after it has been thrown is a challenge outdoors. Some venues allow the use of bird seed outdoors or biodegradable confetti such as dried petals.

biodegradable confetti being handed to guests

Discuss the change with all relevant suppliers

You will need to warn all on-the-day and any other relevant suppliers about the move to an outdoor setting. In most cases, their risk assessments will need to be updated to reflect the change, but they may also need to be prepared to protect their equipment. For example, some musical instruments are affected by water, or a change in temperature, and electrical equipment will need suitable protection. 

Other FAQs

Why has this change to the law come into place?

Many in the wedding industry fought hard for larger numbers to be allowed at weddings during the pandemic if suitable risk mitigations were in place. Being outdoors is a good risk mitigator. The government originally changed the law to allow for more guests to attend weddings safely during this period. Following a recent government consultation, 96% of respondents backed making this temporary law change permanent.

What about religious weddings?

During the consultation, 93% supported extending this law change to religious weddings. The government press release states: "Reforms to religious ceremonies will be made in due course after the consultation found every major faith group supported the move."

Can I have my legally binding ceremony at home or on private land under this law change?

No. This change has been specifically brought in to allow legally binding ceremonies to take place on the grounds of venues already licensed for civil ceremonies. 

If you want to have your ceremony at home or on private land, you can absolutely do this, but it will not be a legally binding ceremony. Speak to a celebrant to find out more about how this works.

Will there be other changes to wedding laws?

Currently, there is an ongoing Law Commission report into marriage laws. They are exploring how to modernise and improve the marriage laws in England and Wales into a "simple, fair and consistent legal structure". This includes expanding the locations for where people can be legally married and whether more types of weddings should recognised by law. The report is due to be published in July and the government will consider the recommendations of the report once it has been received. 

couple just married celebrating with confetti

My venue is allowing me to move outside but I can’t have more guests. Why is this?

Not all venues will be able to accommodate more guests in their outdoor space. Equally, some venues may be considering their wet weather alternative and if this means moving indoors, you could suddenly be faced with losing many of your guests at the last moment. 

Speak with your venue and have an open and respectful discussion to understand their reasons.

Will my registrar be happy to move outdoors?

Most registrars will be happy to move the wedding into an outdoor setting. However, they are likely to ask for shade or shelter to be provided, both for the registrar carrying out the ceremony and the one completing the paperwork. 

Can we have songs and readings at an outdoor ceremony?

Ultimately, what is featured in your ceremony will be down to your registrar and the logistics around it. As long as the reading or song is suitable for a civil wedding (i.e. not religious), we can't see an issue with this.
 
If the venue's noise restrictions allow, consider using a microphone to make it easier for people to hear.
 
Dreaming of an outdoor wedding? Find a venue offering outdoor settings for your wedding ceremony.
Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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