Brighton council considers all-night weddings (From The Argus)
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Brighton council considers all-night weddings
12:18pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Peter Truman
Las Vegas-style 24-hour weddings could be coming to Brighton and Hove.
The Government recently announced plans to scrap historic legislation which required ceremonies to take place during the day.
It means couples could tie the knot at sunset on the beach or at dawn at the American Express Community Stadium.
In light of the move, Brighton and Hove City Council has revealed it will undertake a consultation to see if the plans could be viable in the city.
A council spokesman said: “From October 1, 2012, changes to the law extended the times when civil ceremonies can take place from day-time-only to 24 hours.
“Although Brighton and Hove City Council Register Office has no immediate plans to offer different ceremony times, consultations with customers, staff and venues are under way in the city to look into whether additional ceremony times may be a practical option in the future.
“Until then marriage and civil partnership ceremonies will continue to take place from 9am to 6pm in Brighton and Hove.”
Church weddings originally had to take place between 8am and noon, but the hours were later extended to 3pm and 6pm.
The same hours were adopted for civil ceremonies when they were introduced in 1837, although many registrars work for even shorter periods.
The new legislation, called the Protection of Freedoms Bill, will do away with the restrictions.
Home Office minister James Brokenshire said: “If you want a midnight service you can have one.
“That’s the whole point of us providing that flexibility.”
He called the current laws “unnecessary regulation” and |said the change would affect both religious and civil ceremonies.
But the Church of England said its weddings were subject to canon law and cannot be altered by the state.
And at least 15 days’ advance notice will also still be required for any wedding.
The move aligns England and Wales with Scotland, where there have been no restrictions.
A couple can also marry in Scotland at the age of 16 without their parents’ consent, while in England they would have to be 18.
Comments(12)
BornInBrighton1968
says...
1:04pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Thank God they will be gone soon...
pjwilk
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1:22pm Wed 10 Oct 12
inadaptado
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1:50pm Wed 10 Oct 12
kkj
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2:19pm Wed 10 Oct 12
BornInBrighton1968 wrote:The Greens? This a central government initiative, nothing to do with the Greens, or did you just read the headline and decide to comment?
The Greens have just become a parody of themselves.
Thank God they will be gone soon...
Andy R
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2:34pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Andy R
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2:34pm Wed 10 Oct 12
StyleCop
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4:18pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Andy R wrote:You've never been to an indian wedding then?
That seems an awfully long time for a wedding......
kennydoit
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5:04pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Andy R wrote:I agree entirely! Another misleading, rubbish headline from the Argus
That seems an awfully long time for a wedding......
ourcoalition
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5:42pm Wed 10 Oct 12
Dealing with idiots
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8:26am Thu 11 Oct 12
F in L
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2:04pm Thu 11 Oct 12
Dealing with idiots wrote:Like the one at the Devils Dyke......
How about a drive through wedding chappel built on the side of Brighton Town hall?
and it is spelt Chapel .....
Hole-in-the-wall says...
12:30pm Wed 10 Oct 12