Engagements Aren't What They Used To Be

DOWN THE AISLE

The average engagement now lasts a minimum of TWO YEARS, it was revealed yesterday (xxx).

Fifty nine per cent of couples who have popped the question don't even have a date booked for the big day.

A miserable 70 per cent have been forced to put their nuptials on hold due to a lack of funds, with 35 per cent blaming the credit crunch for their long engagement.

And 32 per cent say if the economic situation doesn't improve, they may NEVER walk down the aisle.

The poll of 2,000 engaged couples was conducted by online jewellers www.jpdiamonds.co.uk.

It revealed the average couple would like to have a big white wedding costing more than £7,000.

But 53 per cent have already toned down their idea of a wedding to make it more affordable, cutting out luxuries such as a honeymoon abroad and an evening reception.

Half of engaged couples won't be treating guests to a free bar, whilst 27 per cent are replacing the champagne reception with cheap bucks fizz.

Twenty one per cent of brides-to-be won't be stepping up in a big traditional white wedding dress, choosing to get an inexpensive frock from a high street department store instead.

Twelve per cent will forget all about bridesmaids, 38 per cent of grooms won't be wearing tailored suits, 28 per cent won't bother with balloons and eight per cent are even choosing to do without flowers.

A spokesman for www.jpdiamonds.co.uk said: "Many women have dreamt about their wedding day since they were a little girl - planning the big white affair; meringue dresses, horse drawn carriages and hundreds of guests.

"So it must be incredibly disappointing to discover that this dream might not become a reality unless they can take out a loan, or break into the nearest bank!"

Two thirds of people polled say they would definitely have got married sooner if they had the funds in place.

Five in 10 people are worried about ending up in debt as a direct result of their wedding - as 30 per cent have already considered putting the big day on their credit card.

A quarter of couples even say their parents are thinking about getting a loan to cover the costs of hiring a venue and feeding guests.

And 38 per cent of realistic people say that regardless of how in love they are, spending thousands of pounds on one day of their life is a good enough reason NOT to get married.

A spokesman for www.jpdiamonds.co.uk continued: "At the end of the day, marriage is about uniting as a couple and making a commitment to each other.

"As important as it is, whilst we're in the middle of a recession taking out loans to cover luxuries such as weddings and honeymoons is madness.

"Engaged couples have two choices - either sit tight, save hard and wait for a time when they can afford their big day, or have a smaller more intimate affair with close friends and families."

Nearly half of couples say they chose to get married because they are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together.

A further 18 per cent wanted to make a commitment to each other by tying the knot and 15 per cent said it felt like the right time in their relationship.

But 44 per cent would actually rather spend their hard earned cash on buying a house than getting wed.

A third would prefer to pay off their existing mortgage, and 22 per cent would rather put any extra cash they may have towards starting and raising a family.

ENDS

WEDDING LUXURIES WE ARE CHOOSING TO DO WITHOUT
A big traditional white wedding dress 21 per cent
Handmade tailored suits for groom and best man 38 per cent
A church wedding 34 per cent
A champagne reception 27 per cent
A free bar 48 per cent
A honeymoon abroad 20 per cent
Bridesmaids 12 per cent
Flowers 8 per cent
Balloons 28 per cent
A sit down meal 14 per cent
An evening reception 9 per cent