COUPLES wanting civil partnership or marriage ceremonies at historic venues are facing above-inflation increases in charges.

A report to North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for community and library services said figures for 2017-18 indicated while the wedding ceremony market had steadied, there continued to be a fall in ceremonies at registration offices.

The report states the Registration Service of the authority – which is seeking to cut its budget by £174m over the nine years from 2011-12 to 2019-20 – was funded by its charges and the service was “required to contribute to efficiencies by increasing income”. Increases of up to 11 per cent, raising the cost of weekday ceremonies at council registration offices such as Thornborough Hall, Leyburn, to £250, are being proposed.

The report states: “In the region, only City of York has higher fees for ceremonies at outside venues.

“For ceremonies in the offices, the fees charged by other authorities are broadly in line with ours.”