Councillor wants to see more weddings at Vancouver City Hall
Posted December 15, 2018 7:48 pm.
Last Updated December 15, 2018 7:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Wedding bells could be be ringing at Vancouver City Hall in the near future.
Councillor Melissa De Genova is bringing forward a motion that would create a program to allows weddings at the building, asking staff to report back with recommendations by December 2019.
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Weddings at City Hall are rare: since 2003, only two couples have been married on the grounds. De Genova is asking staff to consider Helena Gutteridge Plaza and the City garden as options for weddings.
As weddings can be expensive, a ceremony at City Hall — which De Genova notes is a heritage building — could offer an affordable solution for couples, she says.
“It’s traditionally couples who have got married at city hall have done so because they wanted a smaller wedding, a simpler wedding, and something that’s more affordable,” she says. “While we have a focus and prioritize affordability at the City of Vancouver…we also do what we can to make Vancouver accessible, fun and inclusive.”
De Genova is also suggesting City Hall can provide services like resources to obtain a marriage commissioner, officiant and necessary documents for a marriage in B.C. She wants council to offer weddings as a pilot or trial program for set days of the year, or regularly.
Many other cities across Canada offer weddings at city halls, including Victoria, Toronto, Fredericton, Calgary and Ottawa.
