Budget 2018: Rules could be overhauled to allow open-air weddings

The Chancellor Philip Hammond said he wanted to make the process for obtaining a licence to hold weddings simpler and fairer, and will commission a review by the Law Commission.

It comes after an earlier exercise by the Law Commission in 2015 concluded the laws governing how and where couples can marry - which have remained largely unchanged since 1836 - were in "dire need of reform".

See 50+ tips to cut the cost of dresses, venues, cakes in .

A rule change could cut wedding costs

Under the current rules, obtaining a licence to hold weddings includes a requirement to identify a specific room where the ceremonies take place, and that it must be part of a building rather than in the open air or under a marquee.

The licence holder must also ensure no food or alcoholic drinks are sold or consumed in the specific area one hour before the ceremony and during the proceedings.

Ministers believe the red tape involved deters many small businesses from applying for a a licence, driving up costs for couples.