Hundreds of couples married by Cambridgeshire registrars are being offered a ‘congratulations letter’ at the end of the ceremony to help them secure upgrades and gifts when travelling on honeymoon. The initiative was introduced by Cambridgeshire County Council following feedback from those who have been married or entered into a civil partnership.
Frank Jordan, executive director of place and sustainability, explained the rationale behind the ‘congratulations letter’ in the annual report of Cambridgeshire registration service.
“The service has begun giving couples a ‘congratulations letter’ at the end of the ceremony,” he says.
“Since the introduction of schedules in 2021, following legislative changes, marriage certificates are no longer issued on the day of the ceremony.
“And this has resulted in some couples commenting that they felt they were missing out on complimentary upgrades and gifts when travelling on their honeymoon.”
Mr Jordan explains: “Having listened to the feedback, the service now presents a letter that confirms the marriage, or civil partnership took place and gives details of how to order more certificates and give customer feedback.”
He says in the past 12 months the service has performed 1,011 ceremonies in council rooms and 1,006 ceremonies in approved venues “which have been offering discounts and booking incentives to couples as the take up has been reduced”.
Mr Jordan says animals and pets have proved to be very popular with some couples; 22 ceremonies have been performed with dogs present, and one with an owl delivering the rings.
The services operates from full time registration offices in Cambridge, Ely, and Huntingdon. There are part-time registration offices in March and Wisbech.
In addition, there are 82 approved venues across Cambridgeshire which are independent venues licenced to hold ceremonies.
In 2024 seven new ceremony venues have been licensed with Minstrel Court, Cambridge, again hosting weddings “after a change of ownership and extensive refurbishment”.
The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge is also now offering weddings and Brampton Golf Club became an approved ceremony venue.
“All ceremony venues are assessed to ensure they meet specified criteria before they can become an approved venue, including accessibility considerations, such as parking provision, toilets, as well as movement in and around the venue,” says Mr Jordan.
“Twenty-three venues now include the wholly outside option, which allows couples to have a ceremony anywhere in the grounds of the venue. This includes lake areas, two islands and the stunning Fellows Gardens in several colleges.”
Mr Jordan says bespoke ceremonies were introduced in January 2024 “and are aimed at people wanting to have a ceremony in a venue that is not licensed, such as a garden or community centre.
“The couple have a short legal ceremony in one of the service’s offices and then a completely bespoke ceremony written and delivered for them either later in the day or the following day”.
The bespoke ceremony was launched as a trial, and as of November 2024, 23 bookings have taken place to date generating £19,550.
“It is not common for local authorities to venture into the market of unlicenced ceremonies, this being an area where celebrants operate,” he says.
“This does, however, add competition to the market, it offers couples more choice, as the council can provide a legal ceremony as well as part of the package, and it provides an alternative revenue stream for the council.”
He points out that the Cambridgeshire Quality of Life Survey findings for 2024 rated the satisfaction level for the registration service as 85 per cent, this being the joint highest rated council service and 1 per cent higher than 2023.
But it is not entirely all good news as Mr Jordan explained.
“The experience on the day of a ceremony for a couple is heavily influenced by the registrars attending,” he says.
“It is pleasing, therefore, to see the positive contribution they make, as evidenced by the examples of feedback received.
“Whereas customer feedback regarding staff has consistently been positive, feedback regarding venue outside areas, has occasionally been less favourable, with one customer commenting as follows: ‘the service itself and the room were absolutely fine, lovely setting inside and very cosy. But the photo opportunities were just awful.
“The only space currently is an extremely sad looking and fading area in the car park, which is also in full public view. It was very disappointing to say the least.’”
Mr Jordan said that during October 2024, it became necessary to close off the decking photographic area at the Ely Register Office until it could be replaced, as it had become unsafe.
“The upkeep and presentation of outside areas for couples can affect the overall experience for couples at council venues,” he said.
“Though there are location limitations which will impact on the presentation of some sites more than others, a better experience could be provided subject to financial investment being possible. Discussions have taken place in respect of a forward plan for maintenance in future.”
