Legal News

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams has said the greatest threat to the institution of marriage is the marketing of marriage.

Lord Williams – formerly known as Dr Rowan Williams – said that the amount spent on weddings ceremonies and getting married was becoming a challenge to the matrimonial bond.

Lord Williams was speaking at a debate on the institution of marriage attended by divorce lawyers. The conference Marriage: Love or Law? was held in London.

Lord Williams told the audience:

“Marriage has faced many changes and pressures – such as evolving working patterns and a reluctance for people to think about their long-term wellbeing.”

He went on to say that despite the marketisation of marriage and changes in society, most children were still born within marriage “and there remained a strong desire for the public affirmation of commitment”.

However, Lord Williams said that debate on the changing role of men was an issue:

“As a society, there is much yet to resolve around male roles and we need to take a long, hard look at the marketisation of marriage.

“This, I believe, poses the greatest threat to long-term successful marriages,” he added.

The average cost of a UK wedding is now estimated by YouGov at nearly £17,000, with each guest having to pay out an average of £750 each – £1,500 per couple – just to attend a wedding, including paying for clothes, travel, accommodation and buying a wedding present for the couple.

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