Our grand city needs a more appropriate venue

✒ I WAS recently, with others, a guest at a wedding held in Gloucester Register Office which is now situated at Shire Hall in Westgate Street.

We had been looking forward to this special occasion for some time and meticulous care had been taken by all concerned to ensure a happy, comfortable day.

It was, therefore, extremely disappointing to discover a chaotic timing schedule at Shire Hall.

As guests we arrived at the appointed time only to find one bridal party on the steps having photographs taken and another bridal party in the reception area waiting to go in.

This meant our family and friends had to wait in Westgate Street for at least 25 minutes.

Eventually, those having photographs dispersed and those the in foyer were taken through by a county council employee appointed as ‘usher’ for that day.

Meanwhile the bride and her father had arrived and were waiting under a tree lower down Westgate Street as she, understandably, did not want to mingle with her guests before the traditional entrance at the subsequent ceremony.

Eventually were were taken to an empty room and asked again to wait so that the bride and her father could at least come into the building.

One hour later than the appointed time we were ushered through to the register office room where the groom and the best man waited and then the bride and her father joined us.

The short ceremony was conducted by an efficient, articulate, pleasant registrar.

Her professionalism was much appreciated by those present.

On emerging we found continuing chaos with more wedding parties in both the reception area and out in Westgate Street.

There is, of course, no car park at Shire Hall so everyone then had to walk through to collect cars from the Longsmith Street car parks.

As expected the rest of the day’s celebrations went without a hitch – except the inconvenience of being one hour late.

I am aware that fewer people use the register office for their nuptials these days because various venues are licenced and a registrar attends.

However, surely a grand city like Gloucester, with it’s proud heritage, could establish a more appropriate venue either in the city or its suburbs.

It needs adequate parking, more pleasing ambience, much better timing and a degree of dignity, serenity and solemnity appropriate for those celebrating a very important day in their lives. Name and address supplied