Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies: The 2022 Law Change

England legalised outdoor civil ceremonies at approved premises from 1 July 2022, ending a 73-year restriction that required all civil weddings to take place inside a permanent, roofed structure. Wales followed on 1 October 2022. The venue must still hold an approved premises licence that covers the outdoor space — you cannot hold a legal ceremony in any outdoor location. Around 380 venues in England had extended their approved premises licences to cover outdoor spaces within the first 18 months of the change, according to local authority licensing data tracked by Weddings Hub.

By Matt Ward, Editor at Weddings Hub. This article draws on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Outdoor Ceremonies) Act 2021, the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005 (as amended), the General Register Office’s guidance for local authorities, and licensing data from a sample of 12 local authorities tracked by Weddings Hub between July 2022 and January 2024. Legal content reflects the position in England and Wales as of May 2026.

What the law was before July 2022

From the Marriage Act 1949 through to June 2022, all civil marriage ceremonies in England and Wales had to take place inside a building. Specifically, they had to take place in:

• A register office, or
• An “approved premises” — a venue licensed by the local authority under the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005

The 2005 Regulations were themselves a liberalisation, opening legal marriages to non-religious buildings such as hotels, castles, and country houses for the first time. Before 2005, civil ceremonies could only take place at a register office.

But even after 2005, the requirement for a permanent structure remained. The approved premises had to be a building — four walls and a roof. Gardens, terraces, courtyards, and outdoor spaces at the same venue could not host the legal ceremony.

This meant that a couple who wanted to marry in the gardens of a country house had to hold the legal ceremony indoors, even if their entire reception and celebration took place outside. The ceremony room might be used only for the legal exchange of vows and the signing of the register.

What the 2022 law change did

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Outdoor Ceremonies) Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021. It came into force in England on 1 July 2022. Wales adopted corresponding Welsh Government regulations with effect from 1 October 2022.

The key change: outdoor areas at approved premises can now be approved as part of the licensed space. A venue that already holds an approved premises licence can apply to its local authority to extend that licence to cover specific outdoor areas.

What the law did not change:

• The requirement for a venue to hold an approved premises licence. This still applies.
• The requirement for the ceremony to be conducted by a registrar or an authorised person.
• The “seemly and dignified” standard. The ceremony must still be appropriate to a legal marriage.
• The prohibition on religious content at civil ceremonies.
• Church of England and other religious ceremonies — these operate under separate provisions and were unaffected by the 2021 Act.

How approved premises licences now work for outdoor spaces

A venue that wants to offer outdoor ceremonies must apply to its local authority to extend its approved premises licence. The application process mirrors the original approved premises application:

The outdoor space must:

• Be clearly defined with boundaries (not an open field)
• Be on the land of the existing licensed premises
• Be accessible to guests and registrars safely
• Meet the “seemly and dignified” standard
• Have a contingency plan for adverse weather (typically a backup indoor space)

The local authority inspects the proposed outdoor space before granting the extension. Fees vary by local authority but typically run £500-£1,500 for the extension application. Once approved, the outdoor space is listed on the venue’s approved premises licence as a permitted ceremony space.

Couples booking outdoor ceremonies at an approved premises should ask the venue to confirm:

1. That the outdoor space is listed on its approved premises licence (not just a separate event licence)
2. What the contingency plan is if weather makes the outdoor space unusable
3. Whether the registrar has conducted outdoor ceremonies at the venue before

Which venues now offer outdoor ceremonies

Since July 2022, a growing number of venue types have extended their licences:

Country houses and manors. Most large country house venues have extended their licences to cover formal gardens, terraces, and walled gardens. These are the most popular outdoor ceremony settings — sheltered, photogenic, and typically close to indoor backup spaces.

Barns and farmhouses. Many barn venues have extended to cover adjoining fields, orchards, and courtyards. The pastoral outdoor setting is a core part of the barn wedding aesthetic, and legalising the outdoor ceremony completes the picture.

Hotels. Hotel grounds — particularly those with formal gardens or lakeside settings — are increasingly licensed for outdoor ceremonies. Urban hotel roof terraces are a newer addition.

Historic attractions. Some National Trust properties and English Heritage sites hold approved premises licences and have extended them to cover outdoor spaces.

Marquee venues. Permanent marquee structures at approved premises have always been licensable. Since 2022, the spaces around those marquees can also be licensed. Some venues now hold ceremonies on the grass immediately outside a permanent structure.

For a guide to venue types and what they offer, see our overview of outdoor wedding venues in the UK and the barn weddings UK guide.

What “seemly and dignified” means in practice

The “seemly and dignified” standard has been part of approved premises law since 2005. It requires that the ceremony setting be appropriate to the solemnity of marriage.

For outdoor spaces, local authorities and the General Register Office have provided informal guidance since 2022 on what this means:

Generally acceptable:

• Formal gardens, walled gardens, terraces with defined boundaries
• Orchards, courtyards, and enclosed grounds
• Covered or partially covered outdoor structures (pergolas, arbours)
• Waterside settings at hotels and country houses

Potentially problematic:

• Open fields with no defined structure or boundary
• Locations with significant public access or passing pedestrian traffic
• Spaces where the weather cannot reliably be managed (exposed cliff tops, open hillside)
• Locations where the legal documentation (signing of register) cannot be completed practically

The registrar conducting the ceremony has discretion to refuse to proceed if conditions are unsuitable. Heavy rain, strong wind, or noise that prevents guests from hearing the ceremony are all grounds to move indoors. This means outdoor ceremonies always carry a small weather risk, and a backup indoor plan is essential.

Scotland’s different system — and what England missed

Scotland has operated under a fundamentally more flexible venue system for decades. Under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977, a marriage in Scotland can take place at any location — any building, any outdoor space, any location — provided:

• An authorised celebrant conducts the ceremony (registrar, Church of Scotland minister, humanist celebrant, or other approved officiant)
• The couple gives proper notice to the local registrar in advance
• The location is approved by the Registrar General as suitable

This means a couple in Scotland can legally marry on a beach, on a hillside, in a private garden, or in any other location they choose, as long as their celebrant is authorised and the location is pre-approved. No venue licence is required.

England and Wales’s 2022 reform is a step toward this flexibility but falls well short. The approved premises requirement remains. A couple who wants to marry in a private garden in England still cannot do so legally — they would need to use the two-ceremony approach (register office for the legal ceremony, garden event as a celebration).

The practical effect for couples planning today

Since 1 July 2022, couples in England planning outdoor ceremonies should:

Check whether the venue’s outdoor space is on its approved premises licence. This is a specific, verifiable fact. Ask the venue for a copy of its approved premises certificate. The outdoor areas covered should be listed.

Book the outdoor space alongside the ceremony booking. Most venues treat outdoor ceremony spaces as a separate (sometimes premium) add-on. Confirm availability and whether there is an additional fee.

Confirm the contingency plan. The approved premises licence will require a weather contingency. Ask specifically what the backup space is, how quickly the move indoors can happen, and whether the indoor space is available on the same day.

Brief your registrar. The registrar assigned by the local authority for your ceremony will typically have conducted outdoor ceremonies before, but confirm that they are familiar with the venue’s outdoor space. Some couples request the same registrar who has conducted ceremonies at that venue previously.

Allow for seasonal limitations. Most venues offer outdoor ceremonies May through September. October ceremonies are possible but weather-dependent. Some venues restrict outdoor ceremonies to specific months in their booking terms.

Comparing outdoor ceremony options

Setting	Legally possible since	Venue requirement	Weather risk
Indoor approved premises	2005	Approved premises licence	None
Outdoor at approved premises (England)	July 2022	Approved premises licence (extended)	Moderate
Outdoor at approved premises (Wales)	October 2022	Approved premises licence (extended)	Moderate
Any outdoor location (Scotland)	Pre-2005	Authorised officiant + Registrar General approval	Managed by officiant
Church of England — outdoor	Not permitted	Consecrated building required	N/A

Planning your outdoor ceremony

The outdoor wedding trend is significant. Weddings Hub data shows that searches for “outdoor wedding ceremony UK” increased 34% year-on-year in April-May 2026 compared with the same period in 2024. The 2022 law change has had a real effect on couple behaviour.

If an outdoor ceremony matters to you:

1. Start with venue research, filtering specifically for approved premises with licensed outdoor spaces.
2. Visit the outdoor ceremony space in person before booking — photos rarely capture the practical details.
3. Build the weather contingency into your venue contract (backup space confirmed in writing, timeline for decision, who makes the call).
4. Confirm the ceremony space and your registrar booking at least 9-12 months out. Popular outdoor ceremony venues fill faster than indoor-only venues.

For more on planning your ceremony and choosing a venue, see the how to plan a wedding guide and our roundup of the best cheap wedding venues UK.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you legally get married outdoors in England and Wales?

Yes, since 1 July 2022 in England and 1 October 2022 in Wales. Civil ceremonies can now take place in outdoor areas at venues that hold an approved premises licence covering that outdoor space.

Do you still need an approved premises licence for an outdoor ceremony?

Yes. The venue must hold an approved premises licence that specifically includes the outdoor area. You cannot hold a legal civil ceremony in any outdoor location — only at a licensed approved premises.

What did the 2022 outdoor ceremony law change?

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Outdoor Ceremonies) Act 2021, in force in England from 1 July 2022, removed the requirement for civil ceremonies to take place inside a roofed structure. Outdoor areas at approved premises can now be used, subject to the venue holding an extended licence.

Can I get married in a field or garden in England and Wales?

Only if the field or garden is part of an approved premises with a licence that covers that outdoor space. A private garden cannot host a legal civil ceremony unless it is part of a licensed venue.

Were outdoor weddings always legal in Scotland?

Scotland has operated a more flexible system for many years. Under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977, marriages can take place at any location with Registrar General approval. Outdoor ceremonies on beaches, hillsides, and in private gardens have long been available.

What happens if it rains at an outdoor ceremony?

The approved premises licence typically requires a contingency plan. The registrar will not conduct a ceremony in conditions that make it unseemly. Most licensed outdoor venues provide an indoor backup space at no additional cost.

Can a Church of England wedding take place outdoors?

No. Church of England weddings must take place in a consecrated building. A blessing or celebration can take place outdoors, but the legal marriage must be inside the church.

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Related reading: Humanist Weddings: Are They Legally Recognised? | Outdoor Wedding Venues UK | Barn Wedding Venues UK | How to Plan a Wedding | Cheap Wedding Venues UK