History was made in Oxford on Saturday when the first wedding took place at the town hall.

Marlene Smyth, 22, from Cowley, and 25-year-old Matthew Smith, from Bicester, pictured left with superintendent registrary Cheryl Eva, took their vows in the Assembly Rooms.

Marlene and Matthew take their vows

Since the town hall in St Aldate's became licensed for civil marriages last year, ten more weddings have already been booked, with four more couples considering the option, according to the manager, David Clark.

He said: "It's started to pick up since it's become known we are now registered, and hopefully, a lot of people will be coming to us."

Mr Clark added that as a gesture to the newlyweds, the council had decided to waive the £175 fee for the hire of the room.

Mrs Smith, an admissions clerk at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and her student husband took it all in their stride in front of 56 family and friends.

**Picture: Antony Moore

The other choices . . . Other premises approved by Oxfordshire county council for civil marriage ceremonies are: Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel, Abingdon; Drayton Park Golf Club, Drayton; The Mansion House, at Radley College, Abingdon; Whately Hall, Banbury; The Beauchamp Centre, Bloxham, near Banbury; The Holt Hotel, near Steeple Aston; South Oxfordshire District Council Offices, Crowmarsh, near Wallingfor; Phyllis Court Club, Henley-on-Thames; The Stonor Arms Hotel, Stonor, near Henley-on-Thames; Randolph Hotel, Oxford; Hawkwell House Hotel, Iffley; Headington Hill Hall, Headington, Oxford; Linton Lodge Hotel, Oxford; Wallingford Town Hall; Shillingford Bridge Hotel, near Wallingford; Corn Exchange, Faringdon; Lains Barn, Lockinge; Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon; Fallowfields Country House Hotel, Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor; Ardington House, Ardington, near Wantage; Bay Tree Hotel, Burford; Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton; Chadlington House, Chadlington; Woodstock Town Hall; Witney Lakes Resort, Witney; Four Pillars Hotel; Wroxton House Hotel, near Banbury; The Oxford Belfry; Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton; Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame; Oxford Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford-on-Thames; The Springs, in North Stoke; La Gousse' Ail, Oxford; The Oxford Centre, Oxford; Oxford Four Spires Hotel, Oxford; Studley Priory Hotel, Horton-cum-Studley; Weston Manor Hotel, Weston-on-the-Green; and the Garth Council Chamber, Bicester. An online directory of local wedding venues and services including photography and bridal wear is available at www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/leisure/weddings