THE Villa Marina has become the first non-church/registrars’ office venue in the island to be allowed to hold wedding ceremonies since a change in the law.
In many countries couples can marry in hotels and gardens, on beaches or even in a hot air balloon.
This has not been the case in the island but now venues across the island can apply to be able to offer wedding ceremonies.
The law now permits civil registration and marriage solemnisation to occur elsewhere than the four Registrars’ Offices in the island.
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This recent change in the law has been controversial, with some members of Tynwald voicing concerns that the move would be an attack on the sanctity of marriage.
However, the change was approved and, as a result, the government-owned Villa Marina in Douglas is the first island premises to receive Approved Place status, enabling it to hold civil wedding ceremonies.
Minister for Community Culture and Leisure David Cretney MHK said: ‘The Villa Marina is already a popular choice for wedding parties and it is a logical development to be able to offer the complete package of wedding service and reception.
‘The Villa offers unique settings for couples to get married, be it the grandeur of the Royal Hall or the impressive backdrop overlooking Douglas Promenade in the Colonnade and Promenade Suites.’
He added: ‘As well as the stunning photo opportunities in the suites, gallery and gardens, the Villa’s vast experience of organising and managing major events makes it the perfect place to enjoy your special day stress-free and in style.’
The approval from the chief registrar now permits civil partnerships and wedding services to be held in various parts of the Villa Marina complex, including the Arcade, Colonnade Suite, Promenade Suite and Royal Hall.
Couples resident in any part of the Isle of Man can now be married or have a civil partnership service in the Douglas entertainment venue in a non-religious ceremony that will be conducted by a registrar.
Villa Marina functions and catering manager Fiona Bryans added: ‘We have already taken provisional bookings for two wedding services to take place at the Villa next year and I expect a significant number of enquiries will follow this announcement.’
The recent law change also reduced the residency requirement for visitors seeking to marry in the Isle of Man to just seven days prior to the service.
The Marriage and Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill had a smooth passage through the House of Keys, but members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) left the proposals up in the air for some time, claiming some of the suggested wedding venues were frivolous or demeaning.
Eddie Lowey MLC memorably objected to ‘wacky weddings’.
A ‘stalemate’ was reached over the section of the Bill that referred to the approved places where a marriage could take place.
But in May Treasury Minister Anne Craine MHK said changing this section would undermine the whole intention of the Bill.
She said: ‘If we accept the amendments from LegCo we cannot give consideration on thought to being married on a steam train, on the MER or on a horse tram.
‘Currently, it is possible to get married skydiving in America or scuba diving in Australia and while it may not be something that would be of interest here we should not dismiss the possibility for years to come by narrowing our legislation here today.’
She felt that the island’s countryside, heritage sites and freedom to flourish should be ‘unashamedly exploited’.
She said: ‘Great events like the TT have come out of our legislature being able to step outside the box with its thinking. We live in a day and age where fewer people are choosing to get married in church and are seeking to make a special occasion of their pledge or commitment to one another.
‘They are seeking to make their day different, memorable, pertinent to their lifestyle and fun.’
The Villa Marina plans to stage an Open Day on Sunday, February 19, 2012, to show couples the entertainment complex in its latest incarnation as a wedding venue.
l The civil partnership law, which came into force in the island in April this year, enables gay partners to have the same rights as married hetrosexual couples, covering areas such as pensions, next of kin and tax.
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