LOVE was in the air on Euclid Street yesterday as Swindon Borough Council’s wedding fair wowed visitors.

The event, which is now in its second year, saw 31 different exhibitors turn the civic offices into a one-stop shop for everything needed to plan the perfect occasion.

Photographers, dress makers, caterers, tailors, musicians and more were on hand to offer advice, quotes and general information to the passing public.

“This is our second time doing this event,” said Swindon’s superintendent registrar Mamie Beasant.

“We got really positive feedback from the exhibitors last time and had more than 300 people through the door - we’re hoping to better that this year.”

It was also an opportunity for the council to show off their facilities and to put aside the fear that many people have when they think of the typical local authority building.

“We want to show people our ceremony rooms,” said Mamie.

“People have this illusion of register offices and we think our rooms are simply beautiful - we hear that from people once we get them to come and have a look.

“But it’s not just to get people through the door.

"We also have a role to play in helping Swindon businesses and most of the exhibitors that are here today are from this area.

“For the first time we’ve done a ‘handmade room’ - it’s a place for those small startup businesses to get going and showcase what they do.”

In an effort to adapt to developing tastes and trends, the council has also launched a new service allowing people to get married in a wider range of locations including ones of their own choice such as a garden or park.

Staff were on hand to explain all the finer details to interested visitors on Sunday.

Another first for the wedding fayre, and for Swindon, was the addition of an ice sculpture display from new local firm Ice Promotions.

Despite being on show for more than four hours, the crystal clear ice swan was still standing firm in the centre of the civic offices entrance hallway.

But perhaps the stand out feature of the event was the wedding fashion show. The normally formal council chamber was transformed with the addition of a runway and glittering curtains.

Friends and relatives of the register office staff strutted their stuff decked out in the finest wedding dresses and formal suits to the delight of onlookers watching from the seats.

For more information about the council’s wedding services, call 01793 522738.