Six couples will make history when they “tie the knot” this Friday as our local Register Office becomes the first in the country to hold a group marriage ceremony.
The ceremony – to be held in the sumptuous Banqueting Room of the Guildhall in Bath – has been planned to coincide with and celebrate the opening day of the London 2012 Olympics.
It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bath as a World Heritage City and the 175th anniversary of the start of Civil Marriage Registration in England and Wales.
The Chairman of Bath & North East Somerset Council, Councillor Rob Appleyard will be attending the ceremony and welcoming all the couples to the unique wedding ceremony.
Councillor Appleyard said: “I am delighted that Bath is hosting the first event of this kind in the country. I am looking forward to being part of this historic occasion which will undoubtedly remain a treasured memory for all the couples involved.
“My congratulations also go to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s excellent Register Office and registrars for being the first in the UK to offer this unique opportunity.”
Thirteen registrars from across Bath and North East Somerset will be involved in the ceremony to ensure that each couple say “I Do” formally and legally.
The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Andrew Furse, will also be attending the wedding ceremony and will be carrying out two readings. He said: “My wedding reception was held in the historic Banqueting Room beneath the light of the three £1 million Georgian chandeliers so I am speaking from personal experience when I say it is one of the most beautiful venues in our World Heritage City.
“I am really looking forward to giving the readings on this very special day for the six couples who are getting married, and would also like to congratulate the Register Office on this splendid occasion. I hope that there are many marriages in The Mayor’s Parlour during my year in office as I consider it the most prestigious room in the City, but I may be just a little biased!”
The ceremony will also feature music from a string quartet and Bath vocal harmony group The Bellini Girls.
One of the happy couples taking part in the big day is Sarah Shelton and Gareth Watson from Leicester. Sarah said: “We fell in love with Bath when we visited in August 2011, and got engaged in the rooftop pool at the Thermae Bath Spa!
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to be part of such a unique ceremony. We had been planning to get married this year but wanted something different from the ordinary. We stumbled across this ceremony and couldn’t believe it – what a fantastic opportunity to be part of something so special in such a beautiful city.
“Everybody that we have been dealing with – from the Register Office to our reception venue and wedding transport – have been so wonderful and accommodating that we really can’t wait for the big day.”
