MORE than 70 loved-up couples have now had to call off their wedding day in Renfrewshire due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With lockdown restrictions in place, a total of 74 ceremonies which were due to take place at registry offices in Johnstone, Paisley and Renfrew have been cancelled.

That total has gone up by more than 50 per cent in the last month, since Renfrewshire Council reported that 47 ceremonies had been called off on May 15.

Council staff have been working with couples to rearrange a date for their special day in the future.

A total of 32 weddings due to take place in Paisley have been postponed, while another 22 have been wiped from the diary at the Renfrew registry office.

In Johnstone, 20 couples have had to cancel their big day as restrictions on mass gatherings threaten to continue for some time.

A council spokesman said: “We know this has been a difficult time for couples who were due to get married during the coronavirus pandemic and we’re working with them to arrange a suitable date in the future.

“We are awaiting government guidance on the reintroduction of marriage services and we look forward to helping happy couples celebrate their special day as soon as we are in a position to do so.”

The Scottish Government announced earlier this month, that, as part of moving into phase two of its route map out of lockdown, marriages and civil partnerships can take place from June 29, with minimal guests in attendance.

The council has said that any couples who need to postpone their wedding until later this year will not need to fill out a new notice form or pay additional notice fees.

However, if they rearrange for a date next year, they will need to fill out another form.

All registry offices were closed in March at the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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