The Wedding Rush - plan ahead

Anyone heading off to the registry office (or indeed an altar) should think carefully about timings. 

Whilst a larger reception cannot yet take place, from 4 July legal marriages and civil partnerships have been given the go ahead (whether in a place of worship, registry office or some other registered location).  30 people can attend the ceremony.  

If you are thinking about entering into a prenuptial agreement (a “PNA”), the legal date is the one that is important.  A PNA cannot be entered into after the legal ceremony.  And ideally, the PNA should be finalised at least 28 days before then. 

The English court will give less weight to an agreement where it detects that one party has been pressured into signing it.  Pressure may be presumed from timing issues – specifically the proximity of the PNA to the marriage. 

The sooner a PNA agreement is negotiated and entered to, the better. Plan ahead and take advice early.  

Government Guidance – 24 June 2020 – what you can and can’t do after 4 July

1.17 Can weddings go ahead?Yes, from 4 July, weddings and civil partnerships will be allowed to take place. You should only invite close friends and family, up to a maximum of 30 people. The wedding exception is for wedding ceremonies only. Large wedding receptions or parties should of course not be taking place. Wedding celebrations can only happen when people follow the guidance of six people outdoors, support bubbles, or two households indoors or outdoors. It is critical for these guidelines to be observed to keep you and your family and friends as safe as possible.