More People Getting Engaged Abroad
New research out today reveals that Brits are following in the footsteps of jet-setting celebs, such as Kate Moss and Lilly Allen by getting engaged abroad.
A dash of healthy competitiveness has also added to the desire to propose in increasingly impressive locations, with more than half (53 per cent) of men admitting that they'd felt the need to outshine their peers and create the most memorable experience for their loved one.
Men are feeling under increased pressure to whisk their beloved away, as nearly half of British couples (40 per cent) are saying 'I will' on a special break.
The research, from the UK's largest holiday comparison site www.travelmatch.co.uk, suggests that men no longer take this special trip lightly - spending on average ten weeks researching and organising the perfect engagement holiday, with one fifth (20 per cent) spending up to four months planning. Two thirds (67 per cent) of men claim that popping the question was the most nerve wracking thing they have ever done.
The trend for high profile celebrity style engagements has seen the cost of a holiday engagement average £4,687, adding on more than a quarter to the overall marriage total, meaning that the average wedding (£17,405) teamed with a hol-I-do-day engagement now total £22,092.
Engagement breakdown - £4,687
Flights and travel - £700
Hotel / accommodation - £291
Holiday spending money - £447
Special meals - £258
Special activities (i.e. boat trips etc.) - £103
Special outfit for the event - £208
Celebratory drinks and special gifts - £275
Calls home to share the news - £95
Engagement ring - £2,090
Engagement celebrations - £220
Recent high profile celebrity engagements, like Lilly Allen's engagement in Bali (estimated cost: £32,000), Kate Moss in Paris (estimated cost: £15,000) and Sarah Harding in the Maldives (estimated cost £17,000) are all setting the trend for proposals that are as lavish as the weddings themselves.
Travelmatch founder Alex Francis commented: "There is a growing trend for couples to get engaged on holiday to make the proposal extra special and memorable. We all tend to feel our happiest and most relaxed on holidays, so it's no wonder that they are a natural place to ask the most important question of your life".
The USA proves the most popular destination for proposing, with 18 per cent of men popping the question there. Figures also indicate that Europe is still high on the loved up locations list;
1. USA (18 per cent)
2. France (15 per cent)
3. Italy (11 per cent)
4. Spain (10 per cent)
5. Asia (5 per cent)
Not a lot gets past women, as 71 per cent claim to have had a feeling that a proposal was going to come on the trip, with a quarter (27 per cent) knowing it was a dead cert.
To make your engagement trip as successful as possible here are some top tips for a stress-free and smooth holiday proposal:
1. Do not wait until the last day of the holiday, it leaves no insurance if something doesn't go in your favour and if your partner has a clue you're proposing on the holiday, they may expect it on the last day
2. If you want to make it really special, research, research, research the local area to find the perfect location
3. Enlist the help of the locals, perhaps speak with your local hotel or tourism office to get some inspiration and personal recommendations about the area from those that know it best
4. Do not focus on one up-manship with your friends, but think about what your partner would really love and what will be memorable for you both
5. Ensure that you get the ring through security safely - never pack it in your hand luggage. If you forget, try and make sure your partner is nowhere near, in case your bag is searched
tagged in Kate Moss The Proposal