The institution of marriage as it is in utter decline, is set for yet another challenge.
Before thinking of marriage, couples will have to consult their bank managers rather than priests, it appears. The reason is purely one of finance.
The average cost of a wedding has soared this year to a record £17,370. The cost in London will be around £22,906, up 13 per cent on last year.
Insurers Weddingplans have, after a survey, published the cost of virtually everything to do with weddings from car hire to catering.
The cost of marriages in Indian families will go up more because of other expenses like presents to relatives, tradition of giving jewellery, clothes and household items to the groom and the bride. The Asian wedding exhibitions revealed the rising cost of lehengas and other bridal costumes.
The reception and honeymoon, which are common, in both white and Indian families now, have mainly become most expensive items. A spokesman for the insurers Weddingplans said the average wedding now costs as much as a family car.
Just six years ago the average expense was £9,380.
{{/usCountry}}Just six years ago the average expense was £9,380.
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