At Huntsham Court, flexibility has always been at the heart of how couples shape their wedding day. With more than a dozen beautiful spaces to choose from — indoors, outdoors, formal, relaxed, sunlit or candlelit — we’ve always believed your ceremony should feel personal, meaningful, and entirely your own.
Over the years we’ve worked closely with both the Mid Devon Registrars and many wonderful celebrants, giving couples as much choice as possible, whether that means a traditional civil ceremony in the Library, a Humanist blessing under the cedar tree, or a bespoke celebrant‑led moment in the gardens.
Now, with the Government’s proposed reform of wedding law, that spirit of flexibility could expand even further. For future couples, the possibility of having one single, legal, meaningful ceremony — in any space that feels right — could transform how a wedding day is planned at Huntsham Court.
We caught up with John from Heart and Heritage Celebrants — drawing on his experience as both a Celebrant and a former Registrar — he has shared his insight into what these proposed changes could mean for couples planning a legally binding ceremony at Huntsham Court in the future.
The quick overview…
In July 2026, the Ministry of Justice opened a public consultation on reforming
weddings law in England and Wales, the biggest proposed shake-up of marriage law in
nearly 200 years. If it goes ahead, it could mean couples having one meaningful
ceremony instead of two. Your celebrant-led ceremony becomes the legal marriage,
with no separate register office visit required.
Nothing has changed yet. This is a consultation, open for comment until 24 September
2026, and any reform still needs Parliament’s approval. But it is worth understanding
now, because it could reshape how couples plan a wedding at a venue like Huntsham
Court.
Why the current system feels difficult
Marriage law in England still largely rests on 18th and 19th century rules, that buildings
are licensed, not people or ceremonies. To marry legally, couples generally need a
registered venue, an authorised officiant, and a fairly rigid format.
That is part of why so many couples end up with two ceremonies, a short legal
formality at a register office, then the meaningful, personal one often celebrant-led, that
actually reflects who they are. It works, but it isn’t always simple, and it isn’t necessarily cheap when considering your overall wedding budget.
What’s on the table
The consultation proposes flipping the model, authorising officiants rather than venues,
so the ceremony itself becomes the legal anchor.
Key ideas include:
– Celebrants as legal officiants – one ceremony could be both your personal ceremony
and your legal marriage
– Freedom over location – gardens, marquees, and other meaningful outdoor spaces, not
just a fixed list of approved buildings
– Humanist and belief-based ceremonies recognised as legally binding for the first time
– A simpler, more modern framework overall, aimed at cutting cost and complexity
Good to know:
Safeguarding remains an important part of the proposed reform, with existing protections being reviewed and strengthened to ensure the process stays safe, clear and respectful for everyone involved.
Why this matters if you want a celebrant-led wedding
Right now, no matter how personal or meaningful your celebrant‑led ceremony is, it isn’t the legal marriage — that part still has to happen separately. If the proposed reform goes ahead, that distinction could disappear. The ceremony you choose to have — in the space that feels right for you — could become both your legal and emotional moment, all in one.
Ready to explore your Celebrant Ceremony at Huntsham Court?
Curious what this might mean for your own day? We’d love to talk it through with you — whether you’re just beginning to imagine your ceremony or already picturing a moment in one of Huntsham Court’s favourite spaces. Heart and Heritage Celebrants are always happy to explore ideas, answer questions and help you understand what could be possible as the reform progresses.