As of July 2014 The interpretation of the current legislation regarding outdoor weddings has been clarified by the AG’s office to allow outdoor weddings to take place in public areas.
Up to now the wedding ceremony could only take place “in a place that is open to the public” which had been interpreted by the General Registrar as a building that is open to the public. As a result outdoor weddings were precluded.
The Humanist Association of Ireland had threatened to take legal action as it claimed that its members were excluded from having an outdoor wedding due to the General Registers interpretation of the Civil Registration Act. As a result the Tánaiste Joan Burton requested clarification from the Attorney General Maire Whelan SC.
Following a review Ms Whelan has now confirmed that the current legislation extends to public places – paving the wave for outdoor secular weddings.
This opens the way for all couples to having their full wedding (ceremony and party) outdoors. However, there is a catch! “Outdoors” in Ireland means in a marquee as lets face it who would risk having a outdoor wedding in Ireland without cover???