UK: Over 1,400 same-sex weddings have taken place so far in England and Wales
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has today revealed the number of same-sex marriages which took place in the first three months since the law changed.
1,409 gay and lesbian couples married between 29 March and 30 June, when the first weddings took place after the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act was enacted.
95 marriages took place in the first three days. One wedding was set to music and broadcast on Channel 4.
Of the marriages, 56% were lesbian couples and 44% were gay men.
The number of marriages taking place increased month on month, with 351 marriages in April, 465 in May and 498 in June.
The ONS tweeted an announcement that the “early uptake of marriages of same sex couples is lower than the uptake of civil partnerships.”
1,227 civil partnerships took place in the first three days possible, back in 2005, while 95 marriages took place in the three days following 29 March.
The first marriages took place at 00:01 on 29 March in England and Wales. Those already in civil partnerships will be able to convert to marriage from 10 December.
Scotland’s same-sex marriage law is expected to be enacted in 2015. Northern Ireland currently has no plans to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.
