People have been put off getting married on Valentine’s Day this year, because it falls on a Sunday, Surrey County Council’s top registrar has claimed.

Last year, 38 couples decided to tie the knot on the most romantic day of the year in Surrey registration offices, but only nine have decided to follow suit this year.

Superintendent registrar Susan Curran said: “There is a lot to think about when choosing a wedding date and I think a lot of people were put off getting married on Valentine’s Day this year as it falls on a Sunday.

“Usually it is one of the most popular dates of the year. In 2009, Valentine’s Day was on a Saturday and our three registration offices in Weybridge, Leatherhead and Guildford were almost fully booked.

“A lot of people would also be put off a Sunday because their guests would have to get up for work on the Monday morning or take a day off.”

One undeterred couple were Sam Shale and fiancée Angie Earl from Banstead, who will exchange vows at Woodlands Park Hotel in Stoke D’Abernon - and it will be a double celebration, as it is also Sam’s birthday.

He said: “Originally we wanted to get married in September, as it was the month that I proposed, but then we found out just how expensive it was so we opted for February.

“We chose February 14, not just because it was Valentine’s Day, but also because it’s my birthday and is the same date that Angie’s Nanny Mac got married, almost 70 years ago.

“We don’t have a problem with the date being a Sunday - lots of people get married on Thursdays and Fridays these days too, so people often expect to have to take time off work. Also Monday, February 15, is the beginning of half term, so any children that come to the wedding won’t have to get up for school in the morning.”

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