Wedding Day Blues

The 260,000 couples who plan to marry in the UK this year will spend an estimated �4.2bn on their wedding, says a study by Brewin Dolphin.

That means the average cost of a wedding to �16,000, the broker says, with You & Your Wedding Magazine putting the cost at �17,000, and Cahoot, putting a dream white wedding with all the trimmings costs �25,500.

But how do couples pay for the big day, which can cost as much as half the annual income of an average household.

"The average engagement lasts more than 11 months, but most people don't seem to be saving up beforehand," says Debbie Codd, associate editor at You & Your Wedding.

Moreover, about 117,000 couples, or 45% of those getting married, do not make any financial plans, according to Brewin Dolphin, their survey found seven out of 10 couples will be borrowing or have made no financial plans for the day.

Three out of 10 do take measures, including not having holidays, saving, extra jobs, selling grannies heirlooms or even gambling.

According to the report almost 23,500 couples are willing to take on an extra job, and at the other end of the scale just over 25,00 turn to the bookies to finance the wedding, while others prefer to rely on loans or credit cards.

The problem is Britain has become an instant society, the best right now and worry about paying for it later, coupled with the British attitude of borrowing can lead to financial disaster.

The bye word should be seek professional advice and shop around for the best deal, set a budget and stick to it.

If you must pay by credit card, get an interest free one, hire the bride and groom's outfits, or buy them off-the-peg. Call in favours, get a friend to make the cake or the invites, do the flowers, take the photos, ect. Only invite immediate family and select friends to the formal reception and invite more to the informal evening event, use a venue that doesn't charge a hiring fee.

Although its a special day you don't want to be paying for it on your silver anniversary in 25 years time.

Guests should also be warned it can be an expensive invitation it is not just the bride and groom who face big bills on the day.

Guests are now forking out �300, according to Morgan Stanley Credit Cards, with gifts, outfits, travel and accommodation all mount up.

How You and Your Wedding Cost The day