A bill put forward by Federal Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) allowing civil marriages to be celebrated elsewhere other than a town hall was approved by a parliamentary committee on Wednesday.
During the pandemic, municipalities were forced to get creative while organising wedding ceremonies, as a result, many marriages were celebrated outdoors.
However, this practice was not technically legal as the law states that ceremonies must take place in a location of which the municipality has “exclusive use.”
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As a result, Vincent Van Quickenborne has drafted a change to the current law which would allow future spouses to marry in a 'neutral' public space. The wording indicates that a private place of celebration, such as a restaurant, concert hall or a private garden would not be permitted.
With the minister's proposal having been approved unanimously by a parliamentary committee, minus the abstention of Flemish far-right party Vlaams Belang, it is now expected to pass through the Chamber of Representatives.
