By Aaliyah Rugg,Katy Hallam
Copyright birminghammail
Excitement is building as a fresh series of Married At First Sight UK prepares to make its comeback to E4 in mere hours. Guaranteeing further unforgettable scenes, abundant drama and surprising developments, the latest series will arrive on our television sets this Sunday, 21 September at 9pm. Teasers have shown everything from spectacular bridal arrivals to one groom bursting into song during an uncomfortable wedding celebration. Read more Married At First Sight UK’s only surving couples from 2024 and are they still together Nevertheless, as the fresh series approaches, certain audiences might be wondering whether these unions are genuinely authentic, if they carry legal weight, and what occurs should a pair choose to separate whilst filming or afterwards. The weddings featured on MAFS UK carry no legal authority, according to OK! Rather than exchanging lawful vows, the participants pledge themselves to one another – without any marriage certificate being signed. Since the programme is regarded as a social study, it showcases ceremonial weddings. The Channel 4 show mirrors the Australian model, where complete strangers pledge lifelong devotion to each other, which contrasts with the American edition. Radio Times has noted that solely the British and Australian editions of the programme showcase weddings without legal validity. Chris Coleen, the executive producer of MAFS US, remarked regarding their programme: “There is a prenup that is built in. It’s a very short, brief prenup.” Based on Grazia’s reporting, Nikita Jasmine, a participant from the sixth series, also verified during her Instagram live session with followers that it was “not a legally binding contract.” This suggests that should the couples decide to separate, they can simply part company without going through divorce proceedings. Nevertheless, if they wish to make their relationship permanent, they would be required to obtain a marriage certificate. During the programme’s initial series, the marriages were legally valid and completely authentic. Abbie Playford from Samuel Phillips Law has previously remarked on the unofficial ceremonies featured in the show, explaining that were the marriages legally recognised, all monetary matters would likewise be legally connected. She went on to say: “In the real world the couples would have to wait at least 12 months before either party could file for a divorce and would also need to obtain an order closing off any potential financial claims, as these do not automatically fall away on divorce.” Throughout the years, viewers have turned to Reddit to challenge the legitimacy of the ceremonies. One fan observed: “The first few seasons were legally binding I believe. It used to show each person at the registry office signing the marriage certificate before they got married.” A further comment read: “This leads to differing expectations for individuals: some people treat it like a marriage, with all the responsibilities that come with that, while others (understandably) treat it like an early-stage relationship. This conflict, never made explicit, is a source of much of the arguments and drama.” As the new season gets underway, a fresh batch of brides and grooms are gearing up to say “I do” to a complete stranger. The burning question remains: which couples will flourish and who will find themselves in heated disagreements?