LOVING couples are now officially able to say 'I do' on Weston-super-Mare's new £51 million Grand Pier.

North Somerset Council has granted the pier a licence to hold marriages and civil partnerships at the seafront venue.

Pier owners Kerry and Michelle Michael have already received more than 100 enquiries about weddings on the pier from people all over the UK.

Brides will be able to make a unique entrance onto the landmark as wedding cars will now be allowed to drive right up to the pavilion building.

The newly covered walkway will also ensure that wedding guests arrive in the dry.

Five areas of the pier have been licensed to hold weddings, including the balcony of the Regency Suite, meaning couple will enjoy far ranging views of Weston bay while pledging their troth. Couples will also be able to marry on the second floor of the pavilion, the large Regency Suite or in the Edwardian tea rooms at the back of the pavilion which has views out to sea on all three sides.

One of the most unusual venues on the pier for a small wedding is in the North Tower, which has a bridal room above it, for last-minute preparations.

The Coral Room, on the first floor of the pavilion, has also been licensed and is suitable for wedding parties of up to 40 people.

And for those planning a large wedding bash, the Great Hall has also been granted a licence allowing the pier to cater for parties of up to 850 guests.

Pier co-owner Michelle Michael said: "We have created a very flexible wedding space here.

"Couples can have a completely private wedding, using our exclusive entrance on the north deck or they can really get involved in the fun side of the venue.

"We are delighted by how many enquiries we have received already.

"We will be providing complete wedding and civil partnership packages, but we will also be offering wedding receptions to couples who have chosen to marry in a church or register office setting. We will be offering everything from a simple drinks and canapés reception to a full wedding breakfast."

The pier was due to be handed over to the Michaels by main contractors John Sisk and Son in June.

But the project has been dogged by delays and is now two months behind schedule.

The Evening Post revealed last month how couple Hannah Love and Ben Hoskin – the first couple due to marry on the landmark – have had to postpone their wedding because of the delays to the project.

The couple still plan to marry on the pier once the landmark is open for business.

Work to rebuild the pavilion, which was destroyed by fire in July 2008, started in April last year.

Although no date for the handover has been finalised, the Michaels have said they believe it was "imminent".