TWO alpacas acted as ring bearers at a marriage ceremony held at a Hampshire registry office.

The creatures were part of a ceremony assisted by Helen and Sonia, who works a registrars for Hampshire County Council.

The picture was released as part of a celebration of the essential role that registrars play on National Registrars Day, which took place on Friday, July 1, 185 years after the creation of the civil registration service.

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for recreation, said: “Whether it’s officiating at a wedding or civil partnership, registering a new birth with proud parents, or supporting families as they register the death of a loved one, Hampshire’s Registrars provide an essential role to all of us at some time our lives. Whatever the situation, the care, compassion and professionalism of our registrars deserves to be appreciated.”

In Hampshire in a normal year, the council’s registration service register annually around 6,000 births, 9,000 deaths, 10,500 Notices of Marriage and Civil Partnerships, and 100 group citizenship ceremonies.

The service also supports the local hospitality industry by delivering on average 5,500 personalised weddings and civil partnerships at nearly 150 approved venues, alongside other ceremonies such as renewal of vows or welcoming ceremonies. The service is available 365 days a year and operates from 15 bases across the county. 

Over the past two years, registration services across the UK have experienced unprecedented demand due to the challenges of Covid-19.

Following the lifting of all restrictions, this year looks set to be a bumper year of weddings and civil partnerships with 4,824 bookings already in place for ceremonies across this year – from January to June, 1988 ceremonies took place, representing a ten year high.   

Councillor Oppenheimer, added: “There are dozens of amazing places in Hampshire that are licensed for marriage ceremonies, and our registration team always go the extra mile to deliver the perfect day.

"It is fantastic that in 2022 we are on course to see the highest number of couples tying the knot in a decade, which is great news for so many people who have had their special plans postponed due to Covid-19. It is also welcome news for the local businesses that rely on these happy events.”

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