Press Release

'CAN'T BUY ME LOVE' BUT BRITS STILL SUCCUMB TO WEDDING DEBT

28 November 2005

With the average cost of a honeymoon at nearly £3,000, around a third (29%) of Britons intend to take on debt to fund their getaway, according to research from National Savings and Investments (NS&I).  And with the majority of loved-up couples opting for exotic breaks to classic beach locations like Mauritius or a tropical cruise around the Caribbean to celebrate their nuptials, many may be requesting an extension on their credit limit...

The average UK wedding now costs in excess of £17,000*, and the honeymoon is the single biggest expense. Yes despite this, only a mere 23% of those surveyed had arranged a specific honeymoon fund to pay for their getaway.

Most popular honeymoon getaways

Ranking	Honeymoon hotspot
1	Classic beach location such as Mauritius
2	Cruise around the Caribbean
3	Romantic city e.g. Venice
4	Country hotel or cottage in the UK
5	Touring Australia

Brits expect to pay an average £2,863 for their honeymoon of choice but a flush one in seven (13%) estimate they'll splash out on a romantic honeymoon costing more than £5,000.

More Brits are choosing luxury destinations over UK getaways than ever before and with just over half (51%) wanting to disappear for two to three weeks, it is easy to see how the costs mount up.

Forget me not

Despite the luxurious honeymoon, almost one in three married people are unable to remember the proposal, either when it was (19%) or where it happened (9%). Of those who can remember where their partner declared their love, most (40%) had adhered to British reserve and popped the question in the quiet of their own home.  A brave 17% went public in a restaurant or pub, while only a tiny 2% could muster the courage to pop the question at a famous landmark. 

Feeling the pinch

While memories of the proposal may fade, unfortunately the costs do not. Worryingly, nearly one in three would take on debt through credit cards (23%) or loans (6%) to finance their dream honeymoon.

Only 24% would pay for their honeymoon with their salary.  Instead most would opt to raid their rainy day stash, with 57% prepared to dip into their savings to meet the cost.

Many would look to friends and family for help, with 20% swapping toasters and towels for travel vouchers by putting their honeymoon on the wedding gift list.  A further one in 10 would have their honeymoon part-funded by their parents.

Early Bird

"Many of us dream about finding our ideal partner and having a fabulous wedding, but are not necessarily aware of the costs involved", comments Karen Jones, marketing director at National Savings and Investments. 

"Starting a savings fund early can save a lot of money in the long term and also help get a new marriage off to a happier start without the pressure of debt."

* www.channel4.com