Are Weddings Back in Fashion?

n this assignment I will be researching and explaining the question "are weddings back in fashion?" Although every girl and woman dreams of getting married someday it has come to my attention that the popularity of weddings is steadily decreasing. According to a BBC News website article (21 February 2007) 'the number of adults choosing to marry is at its lowest level since records began.' The factors that are involved include; the increasing popularity of couples having their weddings abroad rather than in the UK, how the credit crunch is making couples either put their wedding on hold for a few more years or choosing to have their wedding on a different (less expensive) day of the week. The cost of wedding guests to attend the wedding increasing, how couples are underestimating the cost of their own wedding and how men and women are waiting until an older age to tie the knot.

Although the number of UK weddings are declining the popularity of weddings abroad is increasing every year. As reported by the market research company Mintel (September 2008) 'weddings abroad now account for an estimated 16% of all UK marriages, up from 10% in 2003'. More couples are choosing the cheaper option of having their weddings in a foreign country as part of a travel agent/operator package deal. For the couple the advantages of marrying abroad are more appealing than marrying in the UK. Some of these include; Sun, sea and sand! Sunny foreign weather instead of the cold and rain of Britain, the idyllic location and scenery of an exotic country. Perfect for the wedding photos! The honeymoon can be started straight after the wedding with no fuss of travelling and packing as they are already there. And finally it's cheaper than the UK! In a survey carried out by Mintel (2006) the average cost of a wedding abroad will be around £6,000 compared to that of a UK wedding which estimated to be just over £20,000. Thus saving the couple around £14,000.

Another factor which could be...