The rise of ‘wedding-like’ commitment ceremonies – and the legal dangers couples don’t see coming

With the cost of living still shaping how couples celebrate, and social media normalising nontraditional ceremonies; more people are opting for celebrations that look like weddings but aren't legally binding, and many couples aren't realising the risk until it's too late.

Google searches for "what is a commitment ceremony" have surged 63% in the past year, and with costs ranging from just £200 for a simple register-office ceremony, non-legal celebrations are becoming an increasingly attractive option with the cost-of-living continuing to put couples under pressure when considering marriage.  However, these ceremonies also carry hidden legal pitfalls.

Ciara Pugh, Partner at Stowe Family Law, offers her practical insights on what couples can do to protect themselves without a legal wedding, as well as myth-busting around common-law marriage...

"A commitment ceremony can feel a lot like a wedding, but legally it offers no protection. People need to understand their rights and put protections in place in case of a break-up or death of one person."

Can a commitment ceremony be legally binding? 
A commitment ceremony cannot be made legally binding in England and Wales, regardless of how it is conducted or what language is used in the vows.  The only way to be legally recognised is through a formal marriage or civil partnership, which requires specific legal processes, a licensed official, and registration with the relevant authorities. 

Myth busting around common-law marriage
Some couples mistakenly believe that living together long enough creates a "common law marriage" that confers the same rights as a legal marriage.  This is a widely held myth, and a legally incorrect one, Ciara explains: "The 'common law marriage' myth is understandable, as Scotland used to have such a concept, and other jurisdictions recognise something similar. Unfortunately, many people still believe that by virtue of living together, they are entitled to legal rights and protections if they separate or one party dies. It can then come as a real shock to couples to discover they are in a very vulnerable position with little recourse in terms of property, finances or inheritance."

Commitment ceremonies have surged in visibility, helped by the global success of reality show Married at First Sight in Australia, the US, and at home in the UK.  On social media, the trend is clear: the hashtag #commitmentceremony now appears on more than 11.8K Instagram posts. But with many couples unclear on what these ceremonies involve, it's increasingly common for people to miss out on crucial legal protections. 

How can you protect yourself legally?
For couples who want to celebrate their relationship and protect themselves legally, Ciara advises there are two documents worth knowing about. 

"A cohabitation agreement: a formal document that sets out what you have agreed regarding property, finances, and other matters. While it is not automatically legally binding in the same way as a court order, a well-drafted agreement with legal advice can carry significant weight if a dispute arises. 

"A Declaration of Trust: if registered with the Land Registry, is legally binding. It records how clearly a property is owned, who holds what share, and how the proceeds should be divided if the property is sold or the relationship ends. If one partner paid a larger deposit or funded renovations, a Declaration of Trust protects that contribution."