London ( CNN ) -- A bill to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales is now law , though the unions are n't expected to take place until 2014 . Queen Elizabeth II has given her assent to the landmark bill , which the British House of Commons passed Tuesday , the house 's speaker , John Bercow , said Wednesday . The first same-sex wedding could be held as early as next summer . The law does not come into force immediately because government departments need time to make changes . New processes must be drawn up for registrars , and new forms will also have to be drawn up . The government expects to announce a more formal timetable for the implementation of the law in the fall . The Marriage ( Same Sex Couples ) Bill cleared the House of Lords and the House of Commons this week , just before the summer recess . The monarch 's assent -- a formality in the United Kingdom -- makes the measure official . What you need to know about same-sex marriages in the U.S. and worldwide . The bill had the backing of British Prime Minister David Cameron , but his commitment to it put him at odds with many in his Conservative Party and its grass-roots supporters . The Conservatives govern in coalition with the Liberal Democrats . The bill was also opposed by religious groups , including the Church of England . The Catholic Church in England and Wales said that the law 's passage `` marks a watershed in English law and heralds a profound social change , '' and that it regretted that the bill had been `` rushed though '' Parliament . `` With this new legislation , marriage has now become an institution in which openness to children , and with it the responsibility on fathers and mothers to remain together to care for children born into their family unit , are no longer central . That is why we were opposed to this legislation on principle , '' a statement said . 'Go forth and propose ' The debate over the legislation became heated at times in the House of Commons , where the issue exposed divisions within Cameron 's party . Conservative MP Gerald Howarth angered many when he referred to `` the aggressive homosexual community '' that would `` see this is as but a stepping stone to something even further . '' Responding to the news that the law had passed , Labour lawmaker Chris Bryant tweeted : `` The Queen has given Royal Assent to Same Sex Marriage . Aggressive homosexuals , please note . Go forth and propose . '' The new law will allow same-sex couples to marry in civil or religious ceremonies . However , religious organizations must explicitly `` opt in '' if they want to perform such ceremonies , and the religious minister conducting the ceremony must also agree . The law also protects religious organizations and their representatives who do n't wish to conduct marriages of same-sex couples from being challenged in the courts . It will allow couples in civil partnerships to convert to marriage if they wish . The new law also allows married men or women who wish to change their gender to do so without ending their marriage . A law recognizing civil partnerships in England and Wales was passed in 2004 . The issue of same-sex marriage has also divided other nations . A law that allows same-sex couples to marry and adopt was passed by France this year , despite large street protests and vocal opposition from religious groups . The move made it the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage . In the United States , two landmark rulings by the Supreme Court last month gave the gay and lesbian rights movement huge political and legal momentum . By the numbers : Same-sex marriage . The justices said legally married same-sex couples will now enjoy the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples , striking down a key provision in the Defense of Marriage Act . And although not granting a sweeping right of gays and lesbians to marry nationwide , a separate high court ruling effectively allows same-sex marriage to resume in California , the nation 's most populous state . CNN 's Saskya Vandoorne contributed to this report .
The new law allows same-sex couples to marry in civil or religious ceremonies . The first same-sex weddings could take place as early as next summer . The law was backed by PM David Cameron but divided his Conservative Party . Religious organizations have to `` opt in '' if they want to perform same-sex marriages .