Keith Beecham, chief executive of the organisation, which is hoping to boost tourist numbers in the coming years, welcomed the States’ unanimous approval to proceed with law changes to allow outdoor weddings.
As States Members discussed Deputy Louise Doublet’s proposal earlier this week, many pointed out that there was a potential economic advantage in the move and that attracting couples to get married in the Island could also mean that their guests would extend trips to the Island either before or after the ceremony.
- In 2013, there were 341 civil wedding ceremonies in Jersey compared to 148 religious ones.
- Since 2012 there have been nine humanist weddings in Jersey despite their lack of legal recognition.
- In Scotland, the number of humanist weddings has increased sharply since legal recognition in 2005, from fewer than 100 to more than 3,000 per year. It is reported that up to a quarter of couples from elsewhere in the UK travel to Scotland to have a legally recognised humanist ceremony.[/breakout]
Mr Beecham said that Visit Jersey welcomed the move, adding that attracting one in 1,000 UK weddings each year could bring more than 200 wedding parties to the Island.
‘We are delighted because this gives potential visitors more reasons to think about coming to Jersey,’ he said.
‘I would suggest that we are getting a lot of people coming to Jersey for weddings already, which is encouraging for open-air weddings.
‘We’ve got glorious countryside and beaches here – what brilliant backdrops they would provide for a significant moment in couples’ lives.’
Mr Beecham explained that Visit Jersey – which has been tasked to attract one million visitors a year by 2030 – was due to launch a public consultation about the Island’s tourism sector this summer and that it included sections on conferences and weddings.
He added: ‘The natural beauty in Jersey is absolutely stunning.
‘I’ve been here for three months and I’m still amazed when I travel around at the weekends at what we have here in terms of coastline and countryside.
‘And the thing about weddings is they are inter-generational. You get children, young adults, parents and senior citizens attending, so it’s a way of showcasing Jersey to a wide range of people.
‘It’s a great opportunity to build relationships with visitors for the future, as well as being a delight for the wedding couple and their guests on the days they are here.’
Deputy Doublet’s proposal gained unanimous support in the States Chamber following a short debate this week.
After the summer break she plans to reintroduce calls for non-religious humanist weddings to be allowed in Jersey after she dropped those proposals, which had previously been included under her open-air marriage proposition, earlier this week.
This may get the beaches cleaned.
Marcus Perello
Yes yes YES, get some Wedding Tourism going! Anything to diversify the economy because we’re too reliant upon finance. And before the religious moaners start to lay down the law about how other people can live their lives, bear in mind that we heard on the radio this morning that twice as many marriages here are civil rather than church ones.
Andy Jay
It’s 2015 – why are we even asking this question?
David Doré
Why do couples have to attend and pay fees to the Dean so they can get married in Church ? Rip off Church profiteering
Anthony Marett
Yes, if you can get it through so we can marry on a beach; I would like to
Ashley Russel Gibbs
Excellent idea. I wanted to get married on the beach 9 years ago but wasn’t allowed. Would have loved it. Got married at Le Mare Vineyards which was lovely but even that had to be in a marquee attached the side of the building and with sides on! Can’t see the logic in that.
Heidi Crossley
We got married down at Ouaisne beach (not the legal bit, we did that shortly beforehand), but in our eyes the beach ceremony was the real moment we will remember, a beautiful sunny day with all our family and friends. Jersey are foolish not to have already opened this up for our residents and wedding tourists, to make the most of our island.
Jonny Fry
Too late for me now, but I would have gone for a Humanist wedding had they been available at the time, and it would be nice to have them as an option for my daughters when they reach marrying age.
David Rotherham
Yes you should be able to get married anywhere
Patricia O’Donnell
