A couple who want to marry in a Church of Scientology chapel are planning their wedding after winning a "human rights" fight in Britain's highest court.
Scientologists Louisa Hodkin and Alessandro Calcioli, both 25 and from east Grinstead, West Sussex, had put the ceremony on hold after a high Court judge said services run by Scientologists were not "acts of worship".
But the Supreme Court yesterday overturned that decision and ruled that the Scientology church was a "place of meeting for religious worship".
Miss Hodkin took legal action after the registrar general of births, deaths and marriages refused to register the london Church Chapel for the solemnisation of marriages under the 1855 Places of Worship Registration Act - because it was not a place for "religious worship".
Five Supreme Court justices upheld Miss Hodkin's challenge after analysing the issue at a hearing in London in July. Judges said religion should not be confined to faiths involving a "supreme deity".
Miss hodkin said she was "really excited" by yesterday's ruling.
"I wanted to be treated like any other religious person," Miss Hodkin, a church volunteer said.
"It's a human rights issue."
Mr Calcioli, a graphic designer, said he was "ecstatic".
"I think the court's definition of religion is excellent. I think it's what most people today would understand 'religion' to be."
They said they aimed to marry in the next few months but had yet to set a date.
Ministers have raised concerns, however, saying the ruling has tax implications.
Yesterday local government minister Brandon Lewis said his department would be taking legal advice as a result of the Supreme Court ruling.
"In the face of concerns raised by Conservatives in opposition, labour ministers told Parliament during the passage of the equalities Bill that Scientology would continue to fall outside the religious exemption for business rates," he said.
"But we now discover Scientology may be eligible for rate relief and that the taxpayer will have to pick up the bill."