Changes to wedding marriage certificate requirements

signing resister

In England and Wales, the law requires all marriages to be registered once they have taken place; the system for registering marriages is currently paper-based and prescribed particulars to be registered for a marriage include details of the father but not the mother of each of the parties to the marriage.
Calls have been made, both inside and outside of Parliament, for the law to be changed to enable the details of both parents of the parties to the marriage to be included on marriage certificates.
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think it's a great step forward in looking at changing some of the more outdated traditions of weddings and marriages and making them more relevant and reflective of the 21st century.
Subject to the approval of draft regulations which have been laid before Parliament, the Government intends that a new system of marriage registration will be implemented on 4 May 2021 and that the particulars to be registered for a marriage will be updated.
Until now, the document only included the names of the fathers of the couple, but a change to the Marriage Act means both parents will be included.
Marriages will also be recorded electronically, rather than written in a registry book, as part of the biggest changes to the system since 1837.
The Government intends that guidance for couples getting married will be published on the Gov.UK website before the new system is introduced.

You may also be interested in

Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank

Stress-Free Wedding Plan: Affording Your Big Day Without Breaking the Bank

Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, said: "Money plays a really important role in our lives, helping us prepare for major life moments such as weddings or other special occasions. While it enables us to create meaningful experiences, it can also become a source of stress when facing the costs that come with them. Taking the time to understand what things may cost is the first step when saving for your big day. This awareness can help you make informed decisions, whether that's setting a realistic wedding budget, building a dedicated savings plan, or seeking support to bring your dream day to life."

READ ARTICLE

Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one

Women want a personal engagement ring not an expensive one

New research suggests a shift in how women approach one of the most traditional luxury jewellery purchases, with 75% saying they want an engagement ring to prioritise personal meaning over size or value. A study of 1,353 UK women carried out by 77 Diamonds* found that 75% say they would prioritise a personalised engagement ring over a larger or more expensive diamond. What seems to stand out is not a complete rejection of convention, but rather a rebalancing and reassessment of value. 59% of women say their preference still leans towards traditional ready-made ring designs, and only 11% want an entirely custom-made piece But the emotional drive behind preferences and purchasing decisions does appear to be changing with 30% expressing a desire for rings that carry additional meaning through small modifications, engravings or design adjustments.

READ ARTICLE

Perfect Wedding or Perfect Post? Gen Z Couples Feeling the Pressure

Perfect Wedding or Perfect Post? Gen Z Couples Feeling the Pressure

Wedding planning has always come with its pressures, but for Gen Z couples in 2026, the landscape has changed. Social media has transformed what should be a joyful, shared experience into a high-stakes performance. Scrolling Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest can turn inspiration into comparison, pushing couples to measure their plans against celebrity weddings, curated feeds, and friends' picture-perfect posts. Grace Loves Lace, the Australian bridal brand known for effortless, movement-friendly dresses, has partnered with relationship therapist Amanda Lambros, who has over 25 years' experience, to explore how couples can navigate these pressures and enjoy the planning journey without burning out.

READ ARTICLE

One in seven couples choose sleep over sex on their wedding night

One in seven couples choose sleep over sex on their wedding night

As the UK's spring and summer wedding season begins, new research by Mattress Online suggests the traditional idea of a passion-filled wedding night doesn't always match reality, with one in six couples (15%) saying they did not have sex after their big day. To understand why, the bed experts also asked survey respondents what their reasoning was behind this. They also provided additional insight on the idea of the "wedding night" from Relationship Expert, Jenni Trent Hughes. The findings show that exhaustion was by far the most common factor, with more than two in five (44%) of couples saying they were simply too tired after the celebrations. As weddings often involve early starts, long days, emotional highs, and late nights, rest is a more realistic priority than romance once newlyweds are in bed.

READ ARTICLE

Follow Your Yorkshire Wedding Magazine on Facebook

VISIT SITE

Submit your wedding to be featured in Your Yorkshire Wedding Magazine

VISIT SITE

Blackwell Grange Hotel

VISIT SITE

Lister Horsfall

VISIT SITE