Call for couples to wed online during times of national crisis

Charles Hymas

COUPLES will be able to marry remotely via video conferencing platforms such as Zoom in the event of a future pandemic under reforms proposed by the Law Commission.

Its review of “outdated” Victorian marriage laws recommends there should be a new power to enable weddings to take place remotely during any future national emergency such as a pandemic.

It said it should be possible in cases where couples are living apart and unable to wed in person due to travel restrictions or when the bride or groom is in hospital and not allowed visitors.

“Each person required to be present could log on to an audio-visual call: each couple would give their consent, which the officiant and witness would hear and observe remotely,” the commission said in a report published today. It noted the US states of New York and Illinois and the United Arab Emirates had all allowed remote weddings during the current pandemic.

The commission’s liberalisation of laws also recommends that outdoor weddings be allowed in places such as parks, private gardens, boats and even on beaches. Couples are currently required to marry in a registered building such as a church or licensed venue for it to be legally recognised.

But it said the laws, originally formed in 1836, were “not fit for purpose” leaving couples who wanted to marry outdoors having to improvise by using bandstands, garden pergolas and beach huts.

Weddings would also be permitted on UK coastal waters as well as worldwide cruise ships with a home port in England and Wales.

It would also permit same-sex weddings on Ministry of Defence bases.

The shake-up would also simplify marriage and remove red tape to make it easier and fairer for couples.

This would mean, for example, that couples would be able to complete the initial stage of giving notice of their intended wedding online or by post, rather than having to do so in person.

Non-religious belief organisations, such as humanists, and independent celebrants would be allowed to conduct legally binding weddings.

Couples would also be able to pick and choose from a wider variety of ceremonies, both religious and non-religious, to mark their big day.