Same-sex couples have been able to marry in England and Wales since March 2014, in Scotland since December 2014 and in Northern Ireland since January 2020. Before that, civil partnerships gave couples most of the same legal rights from December 2005. This guide sets out how the law changed in each part of the UK, what it means for your wedding today and where religious ceremonies fit in.
The short answer
- December 2005: civil partnerships begin across the UK under the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
- 29 March 2014: the first same-sex weddings take place in England and Wales.
- 10 December 2014: couples in England and Wales can convert a civil partnership into a marriage.
- 31 December 2014: the first same-sex weddings take place in Scotland.
- 13 January 2020: same-sex marriage becomes legal in Northern Ireland, with the first wedding on 11 February 2020.
- 1 September 2020: religious same-sex weddings become possible in Northern Ireland.
Civil partnerships: the first step
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force in December 2005 and the first civil partnerships were registered later that month. A civil partnership gave same-sex couples legal recognition, with rights on pensions, inheritance, tax and next of kin that closely matched marriage. It was not called marriage, though, and for many couples that difference mattered.
Civil partnerships still exist. If you already have one, you can keep it, or you may be able to convert it into a marriage. Our guide to converting a civil partnership to marriage in the UK walks through the process.
England and Wales: 2014
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 received royal assent on 17 July 2013. The law took effect on 13 March 2014, which meant same-sex marriages performed overseas were recognised from that date. Because couples have to give notice before a wedding, the first ceremonies in England and Wales took place just after midnight on 29 March 2014.
From 10 December 2014, couples in England and Wales could convert an existing civil partnership into a marriage without a new ceremony.
Scotland: 2014
Scotland passed its own law, the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014. The Scottish Parliament approved it in February 2014 and it received royal assent on 12 March 2014. It took effect on 16 December 2014, when couples could begin changing civil partnerships into marriages. The first same-sex weddings in Scotland took place on 31 December 2014.
Northern Ireland: 2020
Northern Ireland was the last part of the UK to change the law. With the Northern Ireland Assembly suspended, Westminster passed the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, which received royal assent on 24 July 2019 and required the change. Same-sex marriage became legal on 13 January 2020, and Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards became the first couple to marry on 11 February 2020.
Religious same-sex weddings followed on 1 September 2020, once the rules allowing churches and faith groups to opt in were in place.
The Crown Dependencies
The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands make their own laws, so their dates are different:
- Isle of Man: 22 July 2016
- Guernsey: 2 May 2017
- Alderney: 14 June 2018
- Jersey: 1 July 2018
- Sark: 23 April 2020
Can you marry in a church?
It depends on the faith. When the 2013 Act was written, the government added what it called a quadruple lock. In short, no religious organisation or minister can be forced to marry same-sex couples, faith groups have to opt in before they can, individual ministers can still decline, and the Church of England and the Church in Wales are barred by law unless their own church law changes.
Several faith groups have opted in:
- Quakers decided in 2009 to recognise same-sex marriage, the first mainstream UK religious group to do so.
- Unitarians and Liberal and Reform Judaism conduct same-sex weddings.
- The Methodist Church voted in June 2021 to allow same-sex weddings in its churches, with a conscience clause for ministers who do not wish to take part.
- The Church of Scotland gave final approval in May 2022 for ministers to conduct same-sex marriages.
The Church of England does not marry same-sex couples. Prayers of blessing for same-sex couples have been allowed in its services since 17 December 2023, and in early 2026 its General Synod paused further work on separate standalone blessing services. Each opted-in faith group also has to register the specific building, so ask the place of worship directly before you plan around it.
What this means for your wedding today
Across the UK, you have three main routes:
- A civil ceremony led by a registrar, at a register office or at any venue approved for weddings.
- A religious ceremony with a faith group and a building that has opted in.
- A legal formality plus a ceremony of your own. Many couples sign the legal paperwork at a register office, then hold a celebrant-led ceremony at the venue of their choice. In Scotland, belief organisations such as Humanist Society Scotland can conduct legal weddings.
Whichever you choose, you need to give notice at your local register office before the wedding. GOV.UK sets out the current notice period and the documents you need, and the rules differ slightly in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
When you start looking at venues, the GLW wedding venue directory lists venues across the UK that welcome same-sex couples. For a wider view of how the rest of the world caught up, see when gay marriage was legalised in different countries.
After the wedding
Once the legal side is settled, the honeymoon is the easy part to look forward to. Out Of Office, our sister travel company, plans tailor-made trips for LGBTQ+ couples, and its gay honeymoon ideas are a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
When was gay marriage legalised in England?
The law changed on 13 March 2014 and the first same-sex weddings in England and Wales took place on 29 March 2014.
Can a same-sex couple get married in a church in the UK?
Yes, with faith groups that have opted in, including Quakers, Unitarians, Liberal and Reform Judaism, the Methodist Church and the Church of Scotland. The Church of England and the Church in Wales do not conduct same-sex weddings. Check that the individual building is registered.
Can we turn our civil partnership into a marriage?
Yes. Conversion of a civil partnership into a marriage has been possible in England and Wales since 10 December 2014 and in Scotland since 16 December 2014. Your local register office can explain the steps and any fee.
Photo: Easy Weddings Denmark on Unsplash
