This year has been a bumper one for civil wedding ceremonies, with record numbers of people heading down the aisle and couples even travelling thousands of miles to get married in local venues.

Since the introduction of the Marriage (Scotland) Act 2002 registrars have been allowed to conduct civil marriages outwith registration offices, meaning couples are free to marry in castles, hotels, golf courses, ships and even a former jail.

The first civil wedding out of the registry office in Falkirk was at Airth Castle in September 2002 and since then there has been a steady increase in the number of civil ceremonies, with 332 taking place in Falkirk in 2008 – an increase of almost 100 since 2006.

Also on the increase are civil partnerships, although numbers are still small, these have doubled since being introduced in 2006, with 11 taking place this year.

And 2009 is already set to be another record breaking year with 233 bookings already in place.

In fact couples have now booked into 2011 to secure their place and inquiries have been made for ceremonies in 2012.

One couple travelled thousands of miles to get married at Glenskirlie Castle, Banknock, in September.

James and Panchan Tarrier, who live in Hua Hin, Thailand, met when James was on holiday in Phuket. Panchan (34) was working in the holiday town at the time.

James, who previously lived in Larbert, said: ''We looked around and chose to have the day in the Glenskirlie Castle.

''From start to finish the day was great; the staff were just fantastic and the professional yet personal approach from our registrar on the day was a complete success.''

The couple had the extra stress of having to get a UK visa for Panchan before the wedding could go ahead.

James said: "It was a mega busy few months but when the day came it all went fantastically well.

''I have a pretty big and close family and everyone made a fantastic effort with Panchan to make her feel like one of the family. It is pretty great to feel you have that support around you."

He added: "Nicola, the registrar did an amazing job co-ordinating everyone and making sure all went to plan, all the while carrying out a beautiful ceremony which we will remember forever.

"The Glenskirlie is a fantastic location and not having to change venues from ceremony to reception is a great idea with our weather the way it is. It was a perfect day and Panchan looked absolutely stunning."

In fact James and Panchan are not the only ones travelling the distance to get married locally.

Greater choice of locations has also brought advantages for the tourism industry.

According to the General Registry Office for Scotland, 30 per cent of marriages in Scotland are now tourist weddings with visitors and celebrities coming to the country to enjoy the romantic settings on offer.

Jeanette Rogers and colleague Kay Comrie run Falkirk Council's ceremonies' office.

The council is the only authority in Scotland with staff dedicated to organising and planning civil marriages, partnerships, baby namings and the renewal of vows.

Jeanette said: "Weddings are big business and a lot of people come from outwith the area to be married here. It also means more trade for local florists and businesses."

Greater popularity has also led to weekday bookings.

The ceremonies co-ordinator added: "What we are finding is an extension well into November and right through winter.

''This year every weekend, excluding the weekend before and after Christmas is booked up.

''Weddings are becoming an all year round affair. We are also seeing more Thursday weddings."

Last minute bookings are still coming in for 2008 but, sadly, cancellations have also increased this year with 39 big days being called off compared with only 17 last year.

Jeanette said: "Often it's because they have to book so far in advance.

''It not usually financial reasons, more to do with relationships breaking up, which is a shame.

''When someone cancels a venue the space is usually taken up pretty quickly by another couple."

In Falkirk the registry office remains a popular venue with 159 weddings hosted last year and religious ceremonies are also still the most popular choice, with over 400 taking place in 2007.

Nationally civil marriages accounted for just over half (52 per cent) of marriages in Scotland in 2007 compared to just under one third (31 per cent) in 1971.

Ceremonies administrator Kay added: "Civil weddings are becoming more and more popular as time goes on and we have a great rapport with the venues.

"We are meeting people all the time, dealing with people when they first get engaged. It's wonderful seeing it right through to the big day.

"It's a privilege to have a job that
we can also enjoy and share with the most special day of a couple's life. We keep thinking that the number will plateau but every year they keep increasing."