Loved-up Dublin couples can now tie the knot in one of the city's most historical buildings, after the council agreed to open City Hall as a venue for civil weddings.Couples wishing to marry in the venue will be able to apply to the Registrar, and the striking location has already led to a flurry of enquiries from engaged couples.
The marriage ceremonies will take place in the Rotunda and the registrar will have use of the members' room.
"It's going to be on Fridays only for a trial basis," says Bronwen Maher who first tabled the motion last May.
"Hopefully it'll start very soon, an information pack is being put together first of all.
"The Rotunda will be an excellent backdrop for wedding photographs and will be able to facilitate up to 50 to 70 guests."
Cllr Maher who got married in Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital register office 10 years ago says it'll be a great moment for Dublin city when the first couple gets married in City Hall.
"It'd be great to have a spring wedding -- I believe there already is a queue of people very interested."
"When I've been in Italy I've seen newly married couples looking happy coming out of city halls, and I just thought why can't we do that? We've a lovely venue and it's bang in the centre of town.
"City Hall is very popular already for a large number of functions throughout the year, and I think it's appropriate that couples who would like to have a city-centre civil wedding ceremony should be able to avail of it."
A spokesperson for Dublin City Council says the cost for couples has not yet been decided. "And we don't know yet what the interest will be."
Charge
Cllr Maher said: "People are going to have to factor in the cost. It's certainly not going to be as much as €3,000 which is like what can be charged for a day's booking for a corporate event."
Meanwhile, it is understood that the HSE still have to carry out checks on the suitability of the building for marriage ceremonies, such as the number of people a room can seat for the ceremonies.
The Civil Registration Act, 2004 made it now possible for civil marriages to be held at venues other than Register Offices, provided the venue has been inspected and approved by the HSE in advance of the marriage ceremony.
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(Source: EH)