Is 2024 the Year of Non-conventional Weddings? Here’s Why We Think So

If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably been to your fair share of church ceremonies and barn celebrations. While we love a traditional wedding, it definitely feels like it’s time to mix things up - and we think 2024 is going to deliver. Welcome to the year of non-conventional weddings.

Cookie cutter nuptials are fast becoming a thing of the past, with increasing numbers of nearly-weds embracing hyper-personal celebrations in off beat locations. With major changes to outdoor wedding laws and an increase in the number of wedding license applications from new venues, couples have been given greater freedom when it comes to choosing where they can say their vows.

But it’s not only where couples are saying ‘I do’ that’s changing. Many nearly-weds are doing away with old traditions and giving their wedding celebrations a new spin (think mums making speeches instead of dads, bridal suits instead of gowns, a favourite song instead of the wedding march…you get the idea).

As keen wedding enthusiasts we couldn’t let this major shift in trends pass us by without finding out more. So, we gathered the stats and chatted to celebrant and seasoned unconventional wedding supplier, Eleanor Willock, who gave us some interesting insights.

If you’ve ever dreamt of saying ‘I do’ under the stars (or the sun!) then you’re in luck, under new legislation you can marry outdoors anywhere on the grounds of an approved premises.

Before the pandemic, wedding ceremonies in England and Wales were restricted to licensed indoor venues and permanent outdoor structures within their grounds. During 2021, temporary measures were introduced allowing couples to marry anywhere on the grounds. The temporary changes were such a hit, they were made permanent in April 2022, meaning nearly-weds can say ‘I do’ in the great outdoors.

Up in Scotland, couples enjoy even greater freedom with ceremonies taking place anywhere as long as it has been agreed by the registrar. Over in Northern Ireland, outdoor civil ceremonies can only take place in locations that have been approved by the council. Find a comprehensive list of approved venues in NI, ordered by county, here.

Celebrant-led ceremonies can take place anywhere at all. While not legally binding (the legal bit can take place at a licensed location before or afterwards), these kinds of ceremonies give couples the chance to make their day totally unique. Celebrant, Eleanor Willock, gives us an insight into the non-conventional ceremonies she’s been a part of: “I've married two wonderful people in the Norse Pagan tradition, in full Viking dress, who toasted each other with mead and exchanged rings plucked from the tips of their fathers' swords. I've married a pair of semi-retired ravers, celebrating their love for each other in a friends-only pub ceremony where we created a poem for them using customised beer mats. I've written a whole ceremony based on the stages of climbing a mountain for two people who met by chance on top of one in South Africa. This year I'm conducting ceremonies in a pub only accessible by boat, a cider orchard, and outside the groom's mum's beautifully dressed front door in their walled garden.”

Interestingly, we’ve also seen an increase in applications for wedding licenses. This means that public locations that don’t already host weddings are applying to do so. According to FOI data obtained by us it has been revealed that more than 3,800 applications for licences have been made to British councils for using premises as wedding venues in the last three years. 420 applications were made in the first quarter of 2024 and if applications continue at this pace, 2024 could be a record year for unconventional wedding locations with a possible 1,680 applications. This figure would reflect a 45% increase on 2023’s annual figures of 1,155. These findings could reflect the growing appetite for quirky and non-conventional wedding celebrations, as venues previously not considered for weddings open themselves up for couples for the first time.

Here at Function Central, we’ve noticed a huge increase in hyper-personalised weddings, founder, Mike Ausden, says: “For every couple planning their big day, they want it to be unique and special to them. From the flowers to the food, and right down to the choice in musicians and special songs - and where you get married is included in this too!

“Some of our bands and musicians have reported singing at the bottom of mountains, in first date locations, or in small and intimate restaurant and café venues. It’s exciting for brides and grooms to be, and their guests, to plan to marry in a hyper-personal and unusual location.”

While new legislation in regard to outdoor weddings and an increase in license applications have had a big impact, we think cultural changes play a big part, too. Same-sex weddings were legalised in England and Wales in 2013 and in more recent years we’ve experienced increased awareness and acceptance around gender identity. Many wedding traditions are tied to traditional gender roles and heterosexual relationships, meaning they simply don’t reflect many of the couples marrying in 2024. In order to make marriage and the wedding ceremony work for today’s population, change has been essential.

Even those in opposite sex relationships are finding that wedding traditions are no longer serving them. Those from blended families, having second marriages or with other alternative family dynamics can also feel excluded by traditions such as only fathers giving away the bride and making a speech. In 2024 it’s much more common to see stepfathers, brothers, mums or best friends doing the honour of walking the bride to her spouse-to-be. We’ve also seen bridesmen and best women, flower men, and even beloved dogs as ring bearers! In 2024, it really is your day your way, whoever you are and whomever you choose to marry. Pretty cool, right?

Eleanor certainly thinks so: “There should be no barriers when you love someone and want to get married. The traditional barriers which lead to convention such as background, religious differences, budget constraints, gender and sexual preference are gradually changing. What was once labelled non-conventional is now, more joyously, simply freedom of choice.

“At a recent two-day wedding fair, I didn't meet a single couple who was getting married in a religious setting. Couples are focusing on what truly represents them when they plan their weddings, rather than what they feel is expected of them by their families or their community. A party that celebrates your decision to be married, which features a wedding ceremony that is personal, romantic and involves friends and family is what many couples are aiming for in 2024/25. As a society, we are becoming more supportive and accepting of diversity and originality and taking a less formal approach to how loving relationships can be honoured.”

While we’re seeing an uptick in non-conventional wedding locations across England, Scotland and Wales, there are some counties that have taken the lead on this exciting trend. Is your county one of the trailblazers? Check out the 10 locations with the most approved license applications from new and unusual venues:

1. Kent - 218 licences granted in last three years
2. City of Westminster - 173 licences granted in last three years
3. Hampshire - 166 licences granted in last three years
4. Cornwall – 159 licences granted in last three years
5. Staffordshire - 148 licences granted in last three years
6. Surrey – 134 licences granted in last three years
7. Essex - 134 licences granted in last three years
8. Liverpool - 131 licences granted in last three years
9. Norfolk - 129 licences granted in last three years
10. Somerset - 108 licences granted in last three years

With wedding celebrations no longer tied to fully equipped function rooms and churches, wedding suppliers are having to adapt to more challenging set-ups. Whether you’re planning a boho celebration in the woodland or an elegant ceremony within a walled garden, you’re going to need to give your wedding band or musician the heads-up when booking. While some bands can easily adapt to outdoor settings, others may need to alter their performance or bring in specialised equipment.

Large party bands will, of course, need a larger area to work with. If you’re thinking of getting hitched on the narrow edge of a lakeside, you may need to consider booking fewer band members or choosing an act that doesn’t need quite so much space. If you’re saying ‘I do’ on the seafront, discuss with your chosen wedding band how they can ensure all guests can hear the music over any possible noise disturbance. Wind and crashing waves can certainly take away from musical performances if they’re not considered in advance!

Wind, rain and even excessive sunlight can interfere with a band or musicians’ ability to perform, so discuss a plan B (and C and D!) when booking to ensure you get the music you want, whatever the weather. While outdoor weddings are incredibly romantic, they do involve a certain level risk thanks to the everchanging British weather!

If you’re considering a non-conventional wedding yourself, allow us to inspire you with our range of exciting an unusual acts from circus acts and performers, to dancers and mariachi bands – there’s something for every couple!

Freedom of Information requests were sent to 400+ district, city and local councils in the UK in April 2024. 286 councils did not respond or hold the data in a comparable format to others; analysis above is of 134 council responses. Full list of responses and individual data breakdowns are available on email request to Function Central.