New figures reveal that civil wedding ceremonies are being conducted in NSW at a rate of almost two to one religious weddings, said Attorney General John Hatzistergos.

“So far this year more than 17,000 civil weddings have been held in NSW compared to some 9,000 religious weddings,” said Mr Hatzistergos.

He said the figures, from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, show the number of civil marriages first overtook religious weddings in 2002 and have steadily increased since then.

• Last year more than 24,000 civil ceremonies were held in NSW, compared to 20,000 in 2005 and 19,000 in the year 2000.

• As far as religious weddings went, 15,000 were held last year while some 16,000 were conducted in 2005 and 20,000 in the year 2000.

Mr Hatzistergos said the steady increase in civil ceremonies was reflected in additional demand from couples to get married at the offices of the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

He said wedding ceremonies held at Registry offices had increased by 37% over the past five years with 16 alone being held today.

“Registry office marriages are simple but elegant and growing in popularity every year,” said Mr Hatzistergos.

Mr Hatzistergos said traditionally the busiest weekend of the year to get married is the long weekend in October but days considered to have lucky calendar dates were also popular.

“The busiest day ever for weddings held at the Registry’s offices was on August 8, last year, when 96 civil ceremonies took place,” he said.

He said the Registry was already getting inquiries from couples wanting to get married on October 10 next year and has booked special function rooms for the occasion near its Chippendale headquarters.

The cost of getting married at the Registry is $330 from Monday to Friday and $420 on Friday evenings and weekends.

• Print
• Email to a friend