PLANS have been revealed to increase the fees to get married in Barnsley Town Hall at weekends, which would be introduced from August.
In the last financial year there were 354 weddings at the town hall, 23 civil partnerships and 374 hotel weddings.
Basic wedding and civil ceremonies would still cost £45 and be held in a large office on the ground floor of the town hall, which will be converted in to a small ceremony room.
However, those wanting to marry in the register office's ceremony suite, Monday to Thursday, will have to pay £79. This would rise to £112 in 2015/16.
At present, the ceremony suite costs £61.50 on Fridays and will rise to £98 from August, and then to £134 in 2015/16. The rate for a Saturday wedding (£81.50) will be £40 dearer and then almost double the original cost in 2015/16.
The 'third tier' of the new system covers marriage and civil partnership ceremonies at hotels. Fees for Monday to Thursday are currently set at £277.50 and would cost £298, rising to £306 the following financial year.
On Fridays it will go from costing £297.50 to £335 and eventually to £345. On Saturdays it costs £331.50 but this will jump to £428 and then to £440.
Sundays are slightly more expensive, costing £388. This fee will change to £435 and then to £448. Bank Holidays will rise by £31 to £435 and then to £448 for 2015/16.
The council said the changes are part of its efforts to make significant savings following cuts to the council budget.
It means the council would be able to meet the financial gap of more than £15,000 which the Registration Service is facing.
• All bookings already made will be honoured at the existing fees.
