CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has announced it will be able to provide wedding ceremonies again from tomorrow, Saturday.

This follows the Government’s recently published new guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships.

Weddings can be held in England as long as measures are in place to keep couples and attendees safe, by creating Covid-secure environments confirmed by risk assessments.

Steps to protect against coronavirus transmission include conducting ceremonies in the shortest reasonable time and keeping the number of attendees to a minimum, as the lower the number of attendees means the lower the risk of spreading the virus.

The council will be able to provide register office ceremonies from Saturday and registrars will also officiate at ceremonies booked with approved venues.

It says that its registration team will be contacting couples who have already made a booking either for a register office ceremony or for a ceremony at an approved venue.

Cllr Karen Shore, deputy council leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, said: “Being able to conduct wedding ceremonies again is wonderful news and I’m sure many couples across the borough will be delighted.

“However, coronavirus hasn’t gone away and it is vital we keep everyone safe and healthy.

“Marriage and civil partnerships are a vital part of society and bring people together for the happiest of occasions.

“It is important that wedding ceremonies are conducted following the very latest guidance, giving the happy couple and their guests the confidence they are enjoying their big day safely.”

From July 20, new bookings can be taken for ceremonies set to take place after December 31 and requests should be emailed to chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

The council has warned that its registration team is receiving high volumes of enquiries at the moment, and is urging couples not to submit repeat enquiries as these are slowing the team’s ability to respond to everyone.