East Riding couples manage to marry before second lockdown

Couples in the East Riding were able to beat the clock and bring forward their wedding ceremonies before going into lockdown.

Staff from East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s registration and celebratory services team say they pulled out all the stops to ensure couples could tie the knot before the second lockdown came into effect on Thursday, 5 November.

Elizabeth Sharp, superintendent registrar at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

“We cleared the decks for the three days before the second lockdown and spoke to as many couples as possible who had ceremonies booked in for the four-week lockdown period.

“Many had emailed us once the Government announcement was made, so we were very clear who wanted to move forward and those who wanted to move later into December and next year.

“We had 58 bookings for the period and managed to fit in 29 marriages and one civil partnership during the three days across the county.

“A couple of approved premises were also able to accommodate three couples with us too, which was great.

“Our staff did everything they could to make sure as many couples as possible could enjoy their big day at short notice.”

During the second national lockdown, the Government’s guidelines for civil marriages and civil partnerships is that none can take place while this lockdown continues, except for some, which concern terminally-ill persons.

Once restrictions change, registration officers will contact couples who have ceremonies booked to let them know of the arrangements and work with couples to give them the opportunity to stay with their original date or move their booking to a new date.