Joanna Newton, Partner at Stowe Family Law, says:
It is interesting to see the new Labour government considering the Law Commission’s 2022 report, which set out recommendations for reform of wedding law. The report suggested that regulation of marriages should be based on the officiant, rather than the building it is conducted in, enabling non-religious belief organisations to conduct legally binding weddings, providing the officiant is registered.
The legalisation of humanist wedding ceremonies would most certainly be an acknowledgement of the importance of a multi-belief society and changing social attitudes regarding marriage and relationships. It would give legal recognition to the love between couples, independent of their beliefs.
Humanist weddings have seen a dramatic increase in the last 20 years. The most recent statistics (from 2020) show that humanist weddings by Humanists UK have increased by 266% since 2004.
Currently, couples who have had a humanist wedding are not married in the eyes of the law. They are seen as ‘cohabitees’. Cohabitation is the fastest growing family type in the UK, but is not a legally recognised relationship status, meaning there is very little financial protection should the relationship end, or one person die, although many people are unaware of this. In a survey we conducted at Stowe Family Law, 46% of respondents believe cohabitees have the same legal rights as married couples.
If couples wish their marriage to be legally recognised, they need to have a civil ceremony performed in addition. Marriage is a legally binding contract that has consequences if broken, and some couples wish to remain financially and legally independent, even if socially they express their togetherness through a humanist wedding ceremony.
Legalising humanist weddings would remove this option for couples, and give those who have a humanist ceremony the same rights, and responsibilities, as those who have a civil or religious marriage. Although this would give them the financial and legal protection not currently afforded to cohabitees, it removes the freedom of choice to remain financially independent .
Humanist weddings are legal in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands. England and Wales are certainly lagging in many areas of reform, but legalising humanist weddings may need to come with a caveat, recognising the marriage but giving an option to remain financially independent.
5 responses
It’s not just Humanist celebrants who are looking for parity in the law. Independent celebrants outnumber Humanist Celebrants by about 5-1 . Not all non religious celebrant led ceremonies are led by a Humanist celebrant and people seem to confuse very easily a celebrant with being a humanist. There are all types of celebrants that cover all styles of ceremonies. Restricting the change in law to JUST Humanist celebrants does not give couples more choice, giving all celebrants AND religious officiants the right to legally marry couples gives all the the couples, all the choices.
While marriage reform in the UK is long overdue, it is crucial that any changes are inclusive of all ceremonies, not just humanist ones. Many belief systems, faith groups, and individuals who are non-religious but do not identify as humanists would still be excluded under the humanist proposals. Independent celebrants, who offer ceremonies that honour the diversity of all beliefs and identities, embody the true spirit of freedom of choice, allowing people to have a ceremony that genuinely reflects who they are. I sincerely hope that any marriage reform will embrace and respect everyone, regardless of their beliefs.
As an Independent Celebrant and ex registrar I, like many of my celebrant colleagues have waited for a response to the long overdue recommendations set out in the Wedding Law Reform. However, for it to be fully inclusive of all couples, it must include celebrants and not just humanists. I have personally delivered ceremonies for couples of mixed faith, and they have therefore been able to include prayers & readings meaningful to them & their beliefs, not something they could do with a humanist, or indeed currently a registrar. If changes are to be made they must not discriminate further by only applying changes to humanist led ceremonies.
When is a “humanist” not a humanist? Well, most of the time actually.
The assumption that all celebrants are humanist is misguided and actually quite damaging to the professional reputation of the majority of celebrants in the UK.
Very few celebrants subscribe to Humanist dogma. The majority are chameleons adapting the way we deliver ceremony to reflect the beliefs and lifestyle of the couple before us.
The joy of celebrancy is in that shared experience, the disappointment is in the lack of recognition for our work.
I am a celebrant but I am not “Humanist”. And neither are my clients. The choice for a legal ceremony shouldn’t be because you have a faith or not! How is that giving people more choice? As an independent celebrant I can cater for all, those who have a faith (regardless of what that faith is) and those who don’t. I am able to carry out multi faith ceremonies and include prayers & readings in my services which a Humanist celebrant won’t accommodate. Please rethink this reform and as independent celebrants most certainly are, be fully inclusive of all those who are offering a wedding service providing couples with the best choice for them