Queenslanders tying the knot tomorrow will be in seventh heaven

A flood of couples tying the knot tomorrow - the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventh year (7/7/7) - will include a record number of weddings at the Queensland Government’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Brisbane, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine said the registry's Brisbane Marriage Room had extended its ceremony times to accommodate the numerous requests from couples.

"Celebrants will marry 15 couples this Saturday which is the largest number of weddings the room has hosted on one day," he said.

"It was a case of 'first in, best dressed' as the registry received so many inquiries from people wanting to wed in the marriage room they unfortunately had to turn many away."

Mr Shine said couples had chosen the date for many reasons.

"Some people consider the number seven to be a lucky number. Others have indicated the date will make it easier to remember their wedding anniversary,” Mr Shine said.

"Reports from overseas indicate the date is proving popular for weddings throughout the world, especially in places like Las Vegas."

Mr Shine said the Brisbane Marriage Room had proved extremely popular since the registry relocated to the heritage-listed Old Government Printery building at 110 George Street, near the Botanic Gardens in late 2005.

"The marriage room hosts more weddings than any other venue in Queensland, with more than 1200 ceremonies held there in 2006," Mr Shine said.

"There was a record 25,890 wedding ceremonies held in Queensland last year."

Ceremonies are conducted weekdays from 9:45-11:45am and 2:15pm-3:45pm and between 10am and 4:30pm on Saturdays. Registry weddings are also available in many courthouses in larger rural and regional areas throughout the State.

For more information on registry weddings phone the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on 1300 366 430 or 3224 7414, or visit www.justice.qld.gov.au/bdm.

6 July 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine's office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au