Weddings cancelled or postponed in Harrogate due to pandemic

The Registration Service has made the decision to suspended all ceremonies for at least three weeks - but this looks likely to be extended as the Covid-19 virus continues to spread across the district.

It has left some couples with enormous amounts of debt and nothing to show for it - whilst some newlyweds rushed in to make their vows before the restrictions came into force.

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North Yorkshire County Council's Executive Member for Customer Engagement, Coun Greg White, said: “We realise people will be disappointed at having to postpone their wedding plans, but we are also sure that they and their guests will understand just how important it is for all of us to heed the directive to stay at home as we all play our part in tackling the Covid-19 outbreak.”

Separately, appointments to register births have also been put on hold - and the Registration Service is asking residents to register deaths over the phone.

The government will review its position on wedding suspensions in three weeks' time and the Registration Service said it will contact all couples affected, giving priority to those who have the most imminent ceremonies.

But couples will have to wait many months before they can tie the knot - with existing bookings that are postponed or cancelled looking set to be pushed back to the start of September.

Also, any new bookings can now only be made for dates after January 1, 2021.

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The Registration Service said it is unable to say when appointments to register a birth will resume - but residents can still make child benefit and universal credit claims prior to the birth being registered.

Those wishing to register a death must do so over the telephone as offices will be shut to personal callers. Doctors will send the medical certificate of cause of death by email, and a telephone appointment can be made. Following the call, forms for the undertaker and a formal death certificate will be sent in the post.

Those who have a paper copy of the medical certificate from the doctor, can drop the envelope through a letter box at one of our offices or email it to us at [email protected]

More information can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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