Hike in price to get hitched
Council set to raise ceremony fees
The cost of getting married in East Kilbride is set to rise by up to 39 per cent, the News can reveal.
Councillors on a finance committee will today be asked to agree the increase in fees for marriage ceremonies in the region.
If the proposal is accepted it will affect weddings at East Kilbride Civic Centre’s ceremony room.
However, officers have ruled out an increase in naming ceremonies or the renewal of vows for the time being.
Couples currently pay £217 for a council official to carry out their service on a Saturday. This will increase to £250. On Fridays, the next most popular day, the cost will rise to £120 from £87.50.
Getting married Monday to Thursday still represents the best value, but the rise from £72 to £100 represents the highest in percentage terms.
Other venues in South Lanarkshire affected include three rooms at Hamilton Town House and Rutherglen’s ceremony room.
Outwith council buildings at venues such as parks or hotels, the costs will increase from £154.50 to £175 Monday to Friday, £170 to £200 on Fridays and £260 to £300 on a Saturday.
Bespoke venues such as private dwellings or guest houses are set at £200 Monday to Friday, £215 on Fridays and £315 on Saturdays, although a £50 risk assessment is required.
Councillors at a meeting scheduled today will be told the rise is the first since 2015.
A report states: “In order to recover the costs of service delivery and maintain the quality of service, it is necessary to increase ceremony fees.”
The same report will also see councillors vote on an increase for the council’s nationality checking service.
A single adult application will rise from £64 to £87 while a child stand alone application will cost £45, up from the current £24.
The cost of a couple or family check will remain the same.