With its sandy coves and mild climate, the South West is often considered the UK equivalent of the French Riviera. However, Cornish pasties are not something you’ll find in Cannes (or Poole and Bournemouth, come to that); they hold more appeal for the older generation. So it's not surprising that the South West is the remarriage capital of the UK with more mature knots being tied than elsewhere. Even Gloucestershire and Wiltshire have an above average share of second marriages, depicted in the 'Aga sagas' of romantic fiction writers and local residents; Jilly Cooper and Joanna Trollope.
Fewer marriages are the first marriage for both partners in the South West than in any other region. Only 55 per cent of the 26,638 weddings in the region in 2002 were firsts for both bride and groom. Two-fifths of all marriages nationwide are now remarriages; by 2003 the total number had increased to 109,090 remarriages for one or both partners. Perhaps not surprisingly in the remarriage 'capital' of the country, marriages among the over-55s account for a higher proportion of happy couples than in other parts of the UK. At the same time as the over-55s are marrying in the South West, the fastest growing age group embarking on divorce in the UK are also those in their 50s. Weymouth and Portland are listed among the top ten places in the UK where the highest number of separated and divorced people live. Perhaps that should read, 'wealthiest separated and divorced people'... The South West is following the national trend towards more civil marriage ceremonies than religious ceremonies. The average is 68 per cent and the South West comes in just below with 65 per cent. Couples here are also following the trend of having their marriages solemnised in civil ceremonies in 'approved places'; 23 per cent, compared to the national average of 27 per cent.
| 
