Couples saying “I do” at record low

Thursday 08 March 2018

2017 saw the lowest number of weddings in Jersey for over two decades, but more people are choosing to have a non-religious ceremony.

There were 447 marriages and 15 civil partnerships in the island last year, which is the fewest since at least 1995 – the year the 'Annual Life Event' statement by the Superintendent Registrar’s Office dates back to.

It shows church bells aren’t ringing as much, as many couples are favouring civil ceremonies over church weddings. 70% of all marriages were conducted away from churches, with the Register Office in St. Helier being the most popular venue with 157 ceremonies.

The Register Office was also the most favoured venue for civil partnership ceremonies, which have been conducted in the island since 2012, with a peak of 27 in 2013.

Only 30% of the 447 marriages in 2017 took place inside one of the island's church, with 96 as a Church of England ceremony, and 31 as a Catholic Church ceremony.  The seven remaining church marriages were blessed in either a Methodist, Freedom or Kingdom Hall church.

Pictured: 949 babies were born in Jersey last year - that's the fewest since 2002 when 930 babies were born. 

The Annual Life Event document also revealed other important life events in 2017. It revealed last year had fewer babies being born in Jersey, but more people passing away, with birth rates at their lowest at 949, and death rates at their highest at 816 for 15 years.

Jersey’s Superintendent Registrar, Claire Follain said: “Unlike in previous years, I am now able to give a lot more detail to the statistics, such as breakdowns as to the number of Anglican marriages and the number of each denominational and civil marriage. Due to the introduction of digital registration I am also able to accurately report on the number of actual births in Jersey as well as the number of registered births. The other interesting figures from last year shows that the Office of the Superintendent Registrar is by far the most popular venue for marriage in the Island.”