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Virtual marriage is now a thing, and it’s thanks to the pandemic. Virtual marriage could be for you if you want to tie the knot without all the hassle of physical weddings.
There are loads of reasons why you would want a virtual marriage and plenty more reasons why you shouldn’t. We investigate on your behalf, and these ten things pretty much cover all the info you need to decide on your nuptials.
10 things you need to know about virtual marriage right here
1. Virtual marriage is 100% illegal in the UK. So you can forget that right now. More on that later.
2. You don’t need a virtual reality headset to get married in virtual reality. Some platforms like Oculus Rift offer virtual reality weddings, but you can also use platforms like Zoom or Skype.
3. You can have a virtual marriage ceremony anywhere in the world. Why not get married on a beach in Hawaii or in front of the Eiffel Tower? Virtual marriage gives you the freedom to marry wherever you want.
4. You can have as many guests as you want at your virtual wedding. Want to keep it intimate? Just invite your immediate family and close friends. Or go wild and invite everyone you know.
5. You can save a ton of money by getting married virtually. The average cost of a physical wedding in the UK is £60,000. A virtual wedding costs a fraction of that, so it’s perfect for couples on a budget.
6. Virtual weddings have become popular thanks to the pandemic. Many couples opted for virtual nuptials when traditional weddings were off the table. Even now, with weddings in real life possible, many won’t go back to conventional weddings.
7. You can still have all the fluff and ceremony of a traditional wedding, just without the physical presence of guests. That means you can still have a virtual cake cutting, first dance, and bouquet toss if that’s on your wish list.
8. You can have a virtual marriage in Utah. That’s right; virtual marriage is legal in the state of Utah. So if you’re looking to get married virtually, Utah is the place to do it. (however, this only applies if you’re an American citizen)
9. You can wear whatever you want to your virtual wedding. Fancy getting married in your PJs? Why not! There’s no dress code for virtual weddings, so go wild and wear whatever makes you happy.
10. You can have a virtual marriage even if you’re already married (to the same person). Virtual marriage is perfect if you want to have fun or just renew your vows.
Why would you want a virtual marriage?
You might want to have a virtual marriage for many reasons. Maybe you’re not ready for the hassle of a traditional wedding or want to save money. Virtual marriage also gives you the freedom to marry wherever you want in the world and to invite all or no guests, do it your way, and that’s the point.
On the downside, virtual marriage is currently illegal in the UK. So while you might be set on getting married virtually, you’ll need to do it in another country.
And while virtual weddings are becoming more popular, they’re still not as common as traditional weddings. That means your family and friends might not be too keen on attending your virtual nuptials.
Is virtual marriage legal in the UK?
No, virtual marriage is not currently legal in the UK. The law states that you must be married physically, such as in a church or registry office, to make your marriage legally binding.
However, there are calls for changing the law to allow virtual marriages. But until then, it’s the registry office or the church for you.
Is a virtual marriage legally binding?
No, virtual marriage is not currently legally binding in the UK. The problem is that a marriage’s validity mostly depends on whether it is legal in the countries where it was celebrated.
To explain further – problems have come up in similar instances where unregistered religious marriages have taken place in the UK, resulting in a marriage labelled as a ‘non-qualifying ceremony’ and then considered invalid and even void.
The result might have been entirely different if the marriage had occurred in a nation where unregistered religious marriages or virtual marriages result in a legal marriage, but right now, that’s not the UK.
Whether or not authorities recognise marriage as legal in the country where it takes place is essential. Several overriding factors can undermine its validity on the grounds of a country’s public policy.
Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger Illustrate the point
Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger are famous couples who thought they were married until they came to a divorce. The unhappy couple had a ceremony in Bali in 1990 that included a lot of spilt chicken blood, presided over by an unordained Hindu priest.
Here’s the critical part. The ceremony was not recognised as legal in Indonesia and, therefore, not valid when they came to a divorce settlement nine years later. To add insult to injury, Jagger released a statement saying he knew they were never legally married.
Until the law changes in the UK, stick to the traditional methods if you’re serious about marriage. At the same time, we know this could prove problematic if you’re marrying a Darlek or Succubus, but that’s life on earth right now, and it’s not going to change anytime soon.
So now you have everything you need to know about virtual marriage. Will you be tying the knot virtually? Let us know in the comments below.