Staff at Medway Register Office are preparing for one of their busiest days of the year.

National research shows this weekend is the most popular time to get hitched, and Medway is no exception.

Sixteen couples will be saying 'I do’ at venues across the Towns on Saturday. Ceremonies will be taking place in locations as diverse as The Corn Exchange in Rochester and aboard the Victorian sloop HMS Gannet at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard.

James Brown, superintendent registrar for Medway, said: “This Saturday will be our busiest day of the year so far, apart from last Friday because it was 8.8.08.

“We are fully booked on Saturday with 16 weddings, on average we would usually have around 10. We also have seven weddings on Friday.

“There is no indication why this weekend is so popular but I will have everything crossed in the hope the sun is shining.”

National statistics show August remains the most popular month to marry with one in five couples choosing this month for their celebration and an increasing number of couples will be tying the knot this Friday.

Over the past five years Friday weddings have increased in popularity by five per cent. Over the same period Saturday weddings have decreased in popularity by the same amount.

Mr Brown said the trend is being reflected in Medway but Saturdays are still the favourite.

He added: “Friday’s are becoming more popular. It means couples can make a long weekend of their celebrations and can save a bit of money. But Saturdays are still the definitive day to get married.”

Darren Mabley-Jones, wedding insurance manager for Ecclesiastical Insurance who compiled the research, said: “The traditional Saturday wedding in August remains the most popular choice for couples planning to tie the knot. However, many couples are starting to turn to a Friday for their celebration instead, perhaps to ensure they get the venue they want, but also to save money on hire charges.

“British couples continue to place their faith in our summer by opting for an August wedding. Whether or not they get the sunshine they planned for however is another matter.”