A WEDDING venue manager says he was “flabbergasted” to learn new couples looking to tie the knot will have to wait until October for their big day.

Oliver Brown, the general manager for Wivenhoe House Hotel, said Essex County Council’s decision to prevent new weddings from being booked for six months took everyone by surprise.

The council, which supplies registrars to non-religious venues, said it acted due to the demand created by postponed ceremonies because of the pandemic.

When Mr Brown was informed about the decision, he immediately started calling colleagues in other venues.

He said: “We were dumbfounded as there had been no conversation beforehand.

“There was no indication this would happen whatsoever, so I was flabbergasted.”

Council bosses have stressed no weddings will be cancelled and all those already booked will be honoured.

But Mr Brown said: “There is such a pent up demand for weddings due to the pandemic and people just want to get married.

“We’ve had to put weddings on hold and that can be devastating for some people.”

He said the demand for weddings is outweighing the amount of registrars the county has.

“Maybe more people could see this as an opportunity to be trained up as registrars to meet the demand,” he added.

Michelle Taylor, known as the Funky Celebrant, feels couples are being penalised by the council’s decision.

Michelle Taylor in action

Michelle Taylor in action

Mrs Taylor, from Lawford, creates ceremonies to mark weddings.

She said: “The lack of foresight from the council is staggering.

“We told the council there would be problems in 2021 last year as we wanted to assist couples so they could at least have a ceremony.”

However, she has offered couples wanting a celebration a potential solution.

She said: “If you are a couple affected by this who are trying to book or rebook at an approved premises - do not panic.”

Mrs Taylor said couples can have a ceremony carried out by a celebrant - which means they can exchange vows and rings in front of loved ones.

But, to make their marriage official they need a registrar.

“Couples might not be able to have a legal ceremony until October, but we can run ceremonies,” she added.