Give Couples Choice Movement is at the heart of leading a shift in championing independent celebrants in The Law Commission's review of the future of Marriage Law. Can you believe we are held back by rulings that date back to 1836? We are adhering to a law that is over 185 years out of date! Suppose the proposed changes to the law are successful. In that case, we could see couples that choose an independent celebrant to officiate their wedding in England and Wales afforded the same human rights awarded to couples who choose a registrar or religious leader who can legally marry that couple within their ceremony. 

As it stands for couples that choose an independent celebrant that align with their values, they still have to seek a separate civil ceremony to make their union legally binding. This arrangement is at an additional cost and effort. Not really fair, is it? 

Here's how you can help make that change a reality visit the Give Couples Choice Movement website and download a letter to personalise and send to your MP with your own experience and thoughts on why this is so important. You can show your support online too and download the digital badges to add to your social media to spread the word that you support giving couples choice in how and where they marry. 

From some of the early responses back from MPs, it's evident there is apparent confusion in defining the difference between Humanist celebrants and Independent celebrants. My concern is we could get a little lost in this fog. We want everyone to understand Independent celebrants help ALL couples celebrate their love in a meaningful and significant way that includes couples with faith, mixed faiths and no faith. Everyone is equally represented in our Independent ceremonies, just not in the law, which is why we are so passionate about making this essential modern change to reflect the needs of ALL those who wish to marry. 

What are the proposals from the Law Commission? 

The proposals suggest expanding the list of authorised officiants from both belief organisations and also independent officiants to conduct legally binding marriages.

The proposals are as follows:-

• Approved Independent Celebrants would be required to apply to the General Register Office for authorisation who will hold a list of all approved Independent Officiants. They will need to prove that they are a "Fit and proper person" and undertake relevant training with either the General Register Office or approved by the Register General.

• Humanist Celebrants would be nominated by Humanists UK and will be required to undertake the relevant training.

• To allow weddings to take place outdoors, such as woodlands, beaches, fields, private gardens, and the grounds of current wedding venues.

• To allow weddings to take place in a greater variety of venues, such as cruise ships and private homes.

• To give couples flexibility and choice over the form and content of their wedding ceremony.

• To streamline the entire process to make it simpler and fairer for couples to follow, such as giving notice online or by post.

• To ensure that more religious weddings that are conducted according to religious rites are legally recognised.

I became an Independent Celebrant over four years ago because of my frustrations with planning a wedding. We couldn't get a registrar to marry us as late as 4 pm, and I had no idea how much of a headache it would be trying to understand how to get married. It should be simple. It should be beautiful. It should be you. Let's make it happen.