LOVESTRUCK couples who want to get hitched in West Dunbartonshire may have to fork out more money for their big day.

For West Dunbartonshire Council’s corporate services committee is to consider increasing civil ceremony fees.

And it could result in couples having to stump up an extra £75 in some cases to tie the knot with two witnesses and guests.

If the plans are rubber stamped, the new fees will come into force as early as September 1.

A report to go before members of the corporate services committee, who will meet on Wednesday, August 23, says: “The purpose of this report is to seek approval of a proposal to increase some civil ceremony fees following a recent review.”

The report comes on the back of a recent review of the fees and could now affect civil ceremonies at venues such as the Leven Room, within the Municipal Buildings, Dumbarton, as well as the Clyde Room, Ceremony Room, Garden Gallery, Reception Hall and Grand Hall, all within Clydebank Town Hall.

And if you plan to get married on a Sunday, or Bank Holiday and use a local authority marriage officer, then you could be facing an extra £41 for the service – on top of the current fee of £409.

Civil ceremonies include all civil marriages and civil partnerships conducted by the council’s registration service whether they are held in council premises, or in external venues.

These fees comprise three main elements.

The first part of the fee is statutory and is set nationally by the National Records of Scotland (Scottish Government).

The second part is an additional fee which can be added by the local authority to cover any additional costs it incurs.

And the third part relates to the accommodation fee (hire of room).

The review relates to the part of the registration ceremony fee which is set by the local authority but does not include room hire.

The proposed changes could see fees rise at the Leven Room (Monday to Friday, bride, groom, two witnesses and guests ) from £125 to £200 and from £252 to £300 (on a Saturday).

And in the Grand Hall, Clydebank Town Hall, Monday to Friday fees (bride, groom, two witnesses and guests) could rise from £183 to £200 – excluding the £58.33 hourly charge for hire of the hall, totalling £258.33.

But the report states that the increases “compare favourably” with other West of Scotland local authority fees.

The report goes on: “In recent years, civil ceremony fees have been increased in accordance with the annual percentage increase to fees set by council as part of the budget process.

“However, the recent introduction of marriage officers, which now makes it possible to offer these services on Sundays and Bank Holiday has prompted a review of the existing fees.”

If the increases are approved it is expected that the local authority will gain an extra £5,000 in income per annum.

The report adds: “The proposed rates are in line with fees charged by other local authorities in the West of Scotland and are competitive when compared with fees being charged by the Humanist Society Scotland.”