Long overdue, life-changing or pointless? Your opinion on marriage law will change.

Carl Jones says he and his partner of 20 years are not married because even the simplest weddings are too expensive.

“We want to get married, but we don’t because it costs a lot. It’s cheaper if we only have two witnesses, but why our (12-year-old daughter) is not allowed to attend… it’s wrong.”

But skeptics say this will do nothing to reduce the cost of weddings, which wedding planning app Hitched has jumped to an average of £21,990.

Reverend Tom Kennar said marriage isn’t expensive, it’s an extra that many modern couples like to add.

“(It’s) expenses for reception, vehicles, booths, photographers, costumes, food, cars, etc.,” he said.

Other critics say they fear the proposal will destroy the importance of marriage.

“Marriage is a gift from God to preserve society. It’s not an opportunity to set new standards and patterns,” Donald Tosh from Glasgow wrote for BBC Your Voice.

Oliver, from Kent, said: “It’s not a life decision, it’s a temporary decision. And now it’s a very temporary pointless decision.”

But celebrity Zadie Ward told the BBC the changes could upend the meaning of weddings for many couples.

“(Critics) say it’s a promise and it’s about a serious commitment, but how can you ask someone to make a serious commitment in words that don’t mean anything to them and in ways that don’t mean anything to them?”