Arundel & South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, has celebrated the Government’s decision to allow weddings and partnership ceremonies to be held outdoors.
Following a consultation which saw ‘overwhelming support’ from the wedding industry and the public, the Government has taken the decision to make the temporary relaxation rules, which were introduced during the pandemic, permanent.
Prior to last summer, civil ceremonies at a licensed wedding venue had to take place indoors or within a permanent outdoor structure, such as a bandstand. Any approved premises will now be able to hold an outdoor wedding.
Andrew Griffith MP was a founder member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Weddings and has spoken in Parliament on a number of occasions about support for the weddings industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Commenting, Andrew Griffith MP said:
“It is great news that the Government has taken the decision to permanently relax rules around weddings and partnership ceremonies being held outdoors.
West Sussex and the South Downs play a huge role in the beating heart of the wedding industry. This decision will benefit hundreds of wedding venues and events businesses across the county.
I have always been pleased to support this large West Sussex industry as a provider of thousands of local jobs.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Gov.uk article on rule change: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/outdoor-civil-weddings-and-civil-partnerships-made-permanent
- BBC article on rule change: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60745573
- The Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on the 6th April 2022.
- Andrew Griffith is no longer a member of the APPG for Weddings as Government Ministers are unable to retain APPG memberships.
- Photo of Andrew Griffith MP at Pangdean Barn wedding venue – Office of Andrew Griffith MP
