Mortgage over marriage?

Children out of wedlock, a mortgage before the ring, polyamory, non-monogamous relationships and online dating are just some examples of how the once-taboo is suddenly commonplace in the world of relationships and romance.

Compound this with increasing financial insecurity, rising national insurance, the upward trajectory of household expenditure resulting in people generally being worse off and it makes you wonder whether the idea of marriage has completely fallen by the wayside.

Is the ‘red tape’ imposed by the laws governing matrimonial matters no longer fit for purpose?

The law and marriage: tradition and trends

As it stands, there are several restrictions imposed on couples looking to get married, regulating how they must commit to each other in the eyes of the law. For instance, any couple wishing to wed must ensure that their ceremony is undertaken at an approved place with a qualified person conducting the ceremony.

Examples of places where couples can legally tie the knot include a Register Office or other premises approved by the local authority. This list is non-exhaustive; however, there is no doubt it limits where ceremonies can take place.

In terms of who can undertake such a ceremony, the marriage must be conducted by a person or in the presence of a person authorised to register marriages in the district and the marriage itself must be formally registered, signed by both parties with two witnesses present — further limiting the ability of couples to put their own stamp on their special day.

Restrictions and rates

Current matrimonial laws have existed since the mid-1800s when they were presumably fit for purpose. However, as early as 1941, when Britain’s longest wed couple, Ron and Joyce Bond, were married, rigid matrimonial laws and excessive restrictions caused a barrier to couples getting married. There was simply too little time to tick every box and cross every T as men and women went to serve in the war effort. Fast forward to today, and the law and restrictions feel even more outdated and incur multiple costs. For example, couples are required to give notice of their wedding, a task that costs £35 per person. In addition, they have to hire a room at the registry office for the nuptials to take place, costing £57 for even the most basic ceremony.

And that all-important marriage certificate, you have to pay for a copy of that too. £4 if you pick it up on the day or £10 if you wait until later. All of this for a standard wedding down at the Registry Office. 

Covid-19 and marriage

With the impact of the covid-19 pandemic felt widely across the wedding industry, intimate and simple weddings have become the norm over the past couple of years as couples have been limited to the number of people able to attend, etc.

Despite this trend, though, recent research by Stowe Family Law revealed 23 per cent of those aged 18-24 consider that a budget of £25k or more is sensible compared to 3 per cent of those over 65 sharing the same view.