So, You Wanna Get Hitchcock-ed in England: The Age-Old Question (Literally) of When You Can Say "I Do"
Ah, love! It's a battlefield, a rollercoaster, and sometimes feels like being tangled in fairy lights (the untangling kind, not the pretty kind). But when you find "the one" (or the one you can tolerate enough to share a lifetime of Netflix with), wedding bells might start chiming in your head. But before you rush out to buy a suspiciously large meringue dress (because, let's be honest, most wedding cakes look like they could double as emergency life rafts), there's a key detail: age.
What Age Can You Get Married In England |
Age ain't nothin' but a number... except when it comes to getting married in England.
Yep, there's a legal minimum age you gotta hit before you can officially tie the knot. Thankfully, it's not like needing Gandalf's staff to get hitched (although that would be a pretty epic wedding accessory).
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The Big Reveal: As of February 27th, 2023, you need to be 18 years old or over to get married in England (and Wales, for that matter). This law change was all about protecting young folks from being pressured into marriage. So, if you were planning a Romeo and Juliet-esque teenage elopement, put down that feather quill and crank up the Taylor Swift instead.
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But what about before the big age change?
Before February 27th, 2023, you could technically get married at 16 or 17 with parental consent. Imagine trying to explain your colour-coordinated bridesmaids and centrepiece swans to your parents at that age. Shudder.
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FAQ: Getting Hitched in England (Age Edition)
How to find out if you're the marrying kind? This one requires some deep soul-searching and maybe a long chat with your best friend over bottomless brunch. There's no app for this one, folks.
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How to convince your parents you're ready for marriage (if you need to)? This might involve showing them your responsible side by, you know, not asking them to clean your room for the 87th time. Just sayin'.
How to pick a wedding date that works for everyone (including Aunt Gertrude who hates Mondays)? Good luck. Seriously, this might be the most difficult part of the whole process.
How to plan a wedding that doesn't break the bank? DIY projects, second-hand finds, and strategically placed fairy lights (the pretty kind, this time) are your friends.
How to avoid wedding planning meltdowns? Delegate, delegate, delegate! And remember, it's your day, so focus on what matters most: celebrating your love with your favourite people (even Aunt Gertrude).
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