Couples may be permitted to marry in their own homes, on military bases or at sea under proposals to scrap rules limited permitted venues for marriages.

The Law Commission is to conduct a two-year review of marriage ceremonies in England and Wales, with a view to cutting back red tape which restricts couples’ choices when planning their big day.

A 2015 report by the commission found that the laws surrounding weddings, which date back to 1836, were outdated and too restrictive for modern life. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in his 2018 Budget that the body would be asked to draw up proposals for change, and that review is now getting under way.

The project will review the current laws on how and where marriages can take place and look for ways to lower the cost of venues and open up opportunities for a wider range of locations to be used, such as military bases for the marriage of service personnel.

Welcoming the opening of the review, Theresa May said: “As both home secretary and prime minister I have been proud to sponsor the legislation that created equal marriage, and to extend civil partnerships to ensure all couples are given the same choices in life.

The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Show all 10 1 /10 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations The Mansion Albury Park, Surrey

A glorious Tudor mansion complete with its own picturesque Saxon church and 17th century Grade I listed gardens. Disguised as a Scottish castle in Four Weddings And A Funeral, it is actually just four miles from Guildford. It witnessed George III's coronation celebrations and will be perfect for your special day too - but book quickly as it will close for refurbishment next summer.

www.alburypark.co.uk; 01483 202964 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Comlongon Castle, Dumfries, Scotland

When under-21s couldn't marry in England without parental consent, they fled to Gretna Green, the first town in Scotland, where they were married "over the anvil" at the Blacksmith's. Today you can buy into this romance in a bit more style, and marry in the glorious Comlongon Castle, near Gretna - then feast with your guests and, afterwards, stay in a sumptuous four-poster bed.

www.comlongon.com; 01387 870283 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Burgh Island, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon

Set on its own island off the coast of South Devon, with stunning 1930s decor and mood music, Burgh Island is a paradise that you and your guests will never forget. Edward Windsor and Wallis Simpson were among its earliest patrons in 1929. Today, it offers a full wedding service including flowers, beauty treatments and a 1930s band. They will even create a signature cocktail for your nuptials.

www.burghisland.com; 01548 810514 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Penrhos, Kington, Herefordshire

An old manor farm on the Welsh border, perfect for romantic Eco Warriors. You have exclusive use of the whole farm, including 15 bedrooms and two apartments, while Penrhos can organise everything you need for the big day, including the ceremony, drinks, the banquet and a party in the evening, then breakfast the next morning.

www.penrhos.com; 01544 230720 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Westminster Register Office, London, NW1

Also known as Old Marylebone Town Hall, this has been the venue of choice for countless loved-up celebrities from the Beatles onwards. With its imposing marble entrance hall and staircase, lavishly paneled corridors and your choice of one of four stunning marriage rooms, it will impress your guests - and provide an occasion to remember.

www.westminster.gov.uk/registrar; 020-7641 1161 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire

Set in over 2,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland, this location is both spectacular and romantic. (Winston Churchill proposed to his Clementine here, 100 years ago.) The organisers here go to great lengths to offer a bespoke service to meet all your requirements, from horse and cart rides through the park to torches along the drive and marquees on the banks of the lake.

www.blenheimpalace.co.uk; 01933 813874 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Whatley Manor, Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Set in breathtaking Wiltshire countryside, this is an idyllic rural location. The team here will help you plan every aspect of your day: from the Grande Marque Champagne to toast your vows to a gourmet wedding breakfast, a three-tier wedding cake, flowers and a choice of a string quartet, pianist or harpist. The happy couple also receives six months membership of the Aquarius Spa for pampering before and after the nuptials.

www.whatleymanor.com; 01666 822888 The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations Glin Castle, County Limerick

A fairy-tale castle on the banks of the Shannon River, set in 50 acres of grounds (including an organic walled garden) in which many of the raw materials for your wedding meal are grown and farmed. Up to 50 wedding guests can feast on this local produce in elegance, using Irish linen and old family silver, while 30 of them can stay in the castle, in a range of 15 rooms including some with romantic four-poster beds.

www.glincastle.com; 00353 68 3417 10. The Ten Best Romantic Wedding Locations The Actors' Church, Covent Garden, London

Luvvies and Londoners alike can follow the romantic example of countless thespians and tie the knot at what is more properly known as St. Paul's Church, a 1633 Inigo Jones church with a little churchyard behind it that offers an oasis of peace just a moment away from the noise and bustle of Covent Garden Piazza. Inside you'll find traditional wooden pews, elaborate cornices and a classical interior in what is a spacious yet surprisingly intimate venue.

www.actorschurch.org; 020-7836 5221

“The vital institution of marriage is a strong symbol of wider society’s desire to celebrate commitment between partners. But we can do more to bring the laws on marriage ceremonies up to date and to support couples in celebrating their commitment.

“This review will look at how we can ensure marriage keeps pace with modern Britain.”

Under current law couples are limited in their choice of wedding location. Civil ceremonies must take place in approved premises that have been licensed for the purpose by local authorities.

The review could increase the choice and lower the cost of venues, and see civil ceremonies held at sea, in private homes or military sites for service personnel.

The Law Commission is opening a consultation on creating a “simpler, fairer system” that provides more choice and alternatives to the cost of an approved venue or registry office.

The government is separately looking at introducing new legislation on holding civil weddings and civil partnerships outside.

The Ministry of Justice said any new venues “would have to meet the existing test of solemnity and dignity”.

The government said it “values the continuing status of the Church of England as the established church in England” but noted the findings of a 2015 Law Commission report that raised concern.

It found that the inconsistent and highly technical provisions around wedding venues “have not been fundamentally reformed since 1836”.

David Gauke, the justice secretary, said: “Getting married is a deeply personal decision, so we want couples to have greater choice in how and where they celebrate their commitment.

“Whilst we will always preserve the dignity of marriage, people from all walks of life should be able to express their vows in a way that is meaningful to them.