Catch Cinders before she flees from the Ball

The local authority had received requests recently regarding the possibility of offering Sunday ceremonies in council -owned premises.

Under the Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, weddings are permitted to take place over a 24-hour period, and it is at the discretion of each council to determine the hours these can take place.

Ballymena Borough Council currently permits 12 Sunday weddings per year, while Carrick Council does not perform any ceremonies on that day.

At the latest meeting of the policy and resources committee at Smiley Buildings, councillors resolved to authorise Sunday ceremonies between the hours of 2pm and 5pm, with a limit of 12 per year, as the case in Ballymena.

Bookings will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. Public and bank holiday rates of £350 will apply for these ceremonies as they are outside normal working hours.

Councillor Gerardine Mulvenna, who made the proposal council should authorise Sunday weddings, told elected members: “I’m all for love.”