Municipal councils will in the future release a list of possible locations to celebrate matrimony and civil partnership (PACS) in their commune. This new bill regards only civil marriages and not church ceremonies. Photo: Shutterstock.

Municipal councils will in the future release a list of possible locations to celebrate matrimony and civil partnership (PACS) in their commune. This new bill regards only civil marriages and not church ceremonies. Photo: Shutterstock.

Couples will be able to celebrate marriage or declare a registered partnership (PACS) at other locations than the city hall, such as municipal parks or cultural centres, thanks to new legislation.

The modernisation of which venues the law sees as appropriate for marriage was proposed in the 2018-2023 coalition agreement to take into account people’s preferences. Municipal councils will in the future release a list of possible locations to celebrate matrimony and civil partnerships in their commune. These changes regard only civil marriages and not religious ceremonies.

A set of criteria will apply to the extended list of marriage locations. They must, for example, belong to the municipality, the state or a public institution while also being neutral meaning that places used for religious worship will not be eligible.

The venue must also allow the civil registrar, who must be present at every marriage, to carry out their duties. This function will also now be more easily delegated by the mayor from one member of the municipal council to another--a change that has been born out of people’s preference to have a council member they know at their celebration.

“This openness regarding the organisation of civil ceremonies reflects the openness of our society to take into consideration all unions between two partners. The celebration of this civil union in a more spacious public place, or one more to the taste of the couple, meets the societal expectations of the 21st century,” said justice minister Sam Tanson (déi Gréng).

Regarding venues owned by the state or a public institution such as a municipal syndicate, it is up to the owner of the location to agree on the condition for use of the property.