Hong Kong couples may soon be able to marry where they like under a government proposal to allow weddings outside churches and register offices. The change in the Marriage Ordinance would mean people could in theory tie the knot on the Star Ferry or on Happy Valley Racecourse or anywhere else permission was granted. Solicitors would be authorised to carry out services under the proposal, which the Law Society has been asked to form a working committee to examine. This would mean there would no longer be a quota on the number of marriages that could be held on auspicious dates at popular locations, according to Herbert Tsoi Hak-kwong, president of the Law Society. Wedding ceremonies currently have to be conducted at marriage registries or a licensed place of worship under the Marriage Ordinance. It is possible to obtain a permit for an alternative venue but this is rare, he said. Of the 32,825 marriages in the SAR last year, fewer than 10 per cent were held in churches. More than half of all register office marriages were at Cotton Tree Drive, City Hall and the Cultural Centre. Mr Tsoi said allowing lawyers to conduct the marriage would open up a lot more options, while retaining the popular sites.