A change in legislation allows civil marriages to take place in locations other than the registry office.
Changes in the law governing non-church marriages come into effect. The changes contained in the Civil Registration Act, 2004 allow civil marriages to take place in venues other than the registry office.
Many venues and hotels such as The Waterside House Hotel in Donabate, County Dublin hope to benefit from the new legislation. Wedding coordinator Sara Farrell explains why using a single location makes sense for couples having a civil wedding ceremony,
It's convenient for them, they don’t have to worry about going to one place and then having to move to a second place.
The relaxation of the law means that couples are not restricted to using indoor locations. Superintendent registrar for the Health Service Executive (HSE) Dennis Prior notes there are some restrictions to where couples can get married,
It has to be approved by the HSE and the premises should be a solemn and dignified place for the purpose of marriage.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 November 2007. The reporter is Philip Bromwell.
The first civil wedding outside a registry office in Ireland took place on 16 November 2007 when Fergus Burke and Michelle Owens married in the garden conservatory of the Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney, County Kerry.
