Wow! Now, there isn’t often any major news regarding laws and weddings that is likely to get the goth community taking much, if any, notice. However, the big news in the World of Weddings today is that night time weddings are to be allowed – I reckon that might at least raise the perfectly groomed, morticiaesque eyebrow of a few of you that read this page.
Yes, as reported today by the BBC, night time weddings will be able to take place in the furture under plans outlined by the government. The changes allowing marriages to take place 24 hours a day in England and Wales are part of the Protection of Freedoms Bill and they will also apply to civil partnerships.
Currently couples can only get married between 8am and 6pm under rules dating back to the Marriage Act of 1836. The move comes after suggestions to a government consultation. Any similar changes in Scotland and Northern Ireland would need to be brought in by the devolved administrations.
The changes are not likely to be taken on board by Churches, but they are expected to boost the demand for evening civil wedding ceremonies.
This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for your wedding planning options. In some cases it might be the deciding factor that helps some people make the choice to get married at all. Learning that there is going to be the option to, say, choose a midnight, sunset or sunrise ceremony might feel so right that once the idea starts to take on a life of its own there could be no settling or a regular 1.00pm slot.
There hasn’t been any news yet, as far as I am aware, about when this change to the law comes into effect. As soon as I hear anything I’ll be sure to let you know.
Of course, it’s going to be interesting to see which wedding suppliers are able to extend their services to cater for evening and night time weddings. I, myself, am rather excited about what new venues might start to pop up, or how known venues might transform into atmospheric, ethereal, candlelit havens for the witching hour. It also brings about the opportunity for photographers to to get very creative with their art.
I’d love to hear your comments on this forthcoming change. Are you as excited about it as I am?