COUPLES planning their wedding in the Isle of Man now have two more options on where they can get married.

The Sefton Hotel and Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino are the first hotels in the Island to be granted three year licenses to stage civil weddings.

It follows a change in the law last year which allows couples to marry in venues other than churches and registry offices.

Paul Forrest, the hotel manager for the Sefton Group, said: "We're delighted that both hotels have been granted Approved Place status.

"We stage many wedding receptions each year and often couples tell us that if they could they'd have been married at the same venue as the reception.

"It's a logical extension for us and we're sure both venues will prove to be increasingly popular.

"In effect the new law means couples can be married at our hotels at any time of the day, seven days a week, 365 days a year – providing the registrar agrees of course!"

To mark the licenses being granted the Sefton Hotel will host a wedding fair on February 18 between 1pm and 4pm.

This will showcase the options available to couples and will also enable them to talk to a number of local wedding related businesses who will be in attendance.

For more information about getting married at the Sefton Hotel telephone 01624 645501 and for more information about getting married at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino telephone 01624 682716.