With more Brits blowing fortunes on getting hitched, we look at cheaper ways to pay for your big day
As average cost hits £21k, canny couples are discovering new ways to get wed in style without breaking the bank
LOVEBIRDS blew an estimated £80million getting hitched this weekend in the hope of a sunshine start to married life.
Brits go crazy to get married as July draws to a close.
Kate Thompson, of , said: “It’s the most sought-after weekend to wed.
“Venues, entertainers and caterers are in high demand and can charge what they want.”
In total, Brits getting hitched splurge £10BILLION a year.
The average big day and its associated costs now tot up to £21,000, almost double what it did 20 years ago.
The top expense on the day is usually the venue — an average £3,400 according to the website You & Your Wedding.
Hotels and independent venues have overtaken places of worship as the most popular locations, with 37 per cent of couples choosing them. Just under one in five wed in a register office while six per cent go abroad.
The rise of “supervenues” — for the wedding and reception — has seen couples splash out even more on bands, harpists and singers.
Maxine Briggs, editor of You & Your Wedding, says: “Couples want the party of a lifetime. And high-profile celebrity weddings are setting the bar even higher.”
A dress is £1,100 on average and 46 per cent of couples blow £4,000 on a honeymoon.
But one canny couple held their fairytale wedding for £5,000.
Aircraft engineer Paul Miller, who wed nursery manager Vanessa Fawdington, advises: “Do not use the wedding word when booking anything — costs rocket.”
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Money well spent
PR adviser Jenny Yu, 35, and IT manager Dean Christian, 40, had a lavish 2014 wedding in Borehamwood, Herts.
The bride had four dresses and 300 guests enjoyed a £12,000 Chinese banquet. A bespoke cake was £695 and the reception cost £7,000.
Jenny says: “It was the most perfect day of my life. Two days later we flew to Hawaii for a honeymoon.
“It did cost a lot but it was well worth it and we both work very hard.”
Total wedding bill: £43k
Skype 'n' save
THRIFTY Alistair and Jane Vanroe got a £550 package deal to the US and wed in Las Vegas.
Jane, a designer, wore £15 flip-flops and a £40 dress. Their rings cost £120, her parents paid for their flights as a present and the only guests were a bridesmaid and the best man.
Jane, 35, from Bradford says: “We had a ball. We Skyped the wedding so our parents could watch. The day looked a million dollars for practically nothing.”
Total wedding bill: £750
Average cost of wedding today
Honeymoon: £4,000
Venue: £3,400
Catering: £3,300
Engagement rings: £3,000
Booze: £1,200
Dress: £1,100
Photographs: £1,000
Entertainment: £700
Flowers: £640
Wedding rings: £500
Sundries: £2,160
Total: £21,000