Mike Bartlam gets the best seat in the house at every wedding he attends.

Rightfully so, as he has the most important job. Mr Bartlam, a retired businessman, is one of 29 celebrants with Oxfordshire County Council certified to officiate marriage. The council, however, hopes to change that, by launching an appeal for more to be trained in time for the busy summer months.

Mr Bartlam said: “One of the reasons I do it is that I like being with people. It’s the most important day of their lives. They get nervous and part of the role is a calming presence. Nothing ever goes wrong. If something comes up, you deal with it.”

The council oversees more than 2,500 weddings per year, in a variety of locations throughout Oxfordshire.

Jacquie Bugeja, head of registration, coroner’s & music services, said: “We’re blessed with a beautiful county. We do things slightly differently. We give couples the opportunity to meet the register, and discuss everything they want to make the day special. Whether that’s having an owl take the rings down the aisle, or a dog, we’ve even done an Elvis and Marilyn Monroe themed wedding.

“We enjoy meeting the needs of people.”

The sprawling room in the council office holds more weddings than any other place in Oxford. There are, however, endless locations which are certified by the council, including Blenheim Palace, Cogges Meadow Farm, and the Ashmolean Museum.

Mr Bartlam continued: “People are often surprised by the Ashmolean. We also get a lot of alumni who want to be married in university buildings.”

After seeing a seven per cent increase in weddings, the council hopes to train enough celebrants to meet the growing demands.

Mrs Bugeja continued: “It’s a two day training on the legal aspects, then they do a lot of on the job training, being accompanied to weddings by certified staff. First you conduct weddings here at the office, then you can go to outside locations. We want to make sure they feel confident.”

“In the last few years, we’ve seen that the most popular time is 2pm. Everyone wants a 2pm wedding. We don’t want to have to tell people those times are booked. If you want that time, you should get that time. We want to have enough staff to give people what they want.

“I did eight years when I was a registrar. It is the most privileged thing to do. These are the most special days of people’s lives, and we’re in the driving seat. We take it very seriously, and we build a whole ceremony around what they want.”

The council encourages candidates who are time flexible, who have their own method of transportation and neat, legible handwriting. Those interested can apply on the Oxfordshire County Council website until November 20.

Mrs Bugeja said: “It is a privileged and wonderful job. We really want people who are flexible, and dedicated to the best customer service and love dealing with the public.”