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September 2008 - UK Brits jet off for sun, sea and...wedding vows
The perfect English wedding set in a beautiful country church was once every girl's dream. But today it seems that this image is being replaced with palm trees and sandy beaches. Indeed, latest research from Mintel finds that one in six (16%) British weddings now take place abroad. This equates to an estimated 51,300 overseas weddings- a massive 43% increase since 2003. Many couples are now opting for this less traditional setting for their big day. In fact, today, just 28% of adults say they would like to be married or attend a wedding at home in the presence of friends and family. "Getting married abroad has become an increasingly popular choice for couples looking to tie the knot. The market is benefiting from a growing willingness amongst couples to break with social convention and experiment with new wedding styles. From beach ceremonies in the Caribbean to 'snow weddings' in Lapland, this special occasion has certainly become more niche and personalised," comments Tom Rees, Senior Travel Analyst at Mintel. Valued at £333 million this year, the market for weddings abroad is set to reach £427 million by 2013. Something old, something new and something cheap
For many, an overseas wedding has become the value option. Indeed, according to You & Your Wedding magazine, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is as much as £20,000, compared with as little as £6,500 for one abroad. But surprisingly, exclusive Mintel research shows just one in seven adults (14%) appreciate the cost saving benefits of marrying abroad. "Overseas weddings offer exotic but affordable versions of celebrity-inspired weddings. As the credit crunch bites and recession looms, this could be the perfect cost-saving measure allowing couples to have the wedding day they have always dreamed of," says Tom Rees. A potential downside is that while the bride and groom often benefit from a cheaper celebration, weddings abroad can prove an expensive affair for guests. Indeed, Mintel's research finds a fifth of adults (19%) feel that the cost and time required to attend an overseas wedding puts their relatives and friends in an awkward position. "One way to make a wedding more cost effective for guests would be to encourage them to have a holiday at the same time. The wedding party could head out a few days earlier for stag and hen dos, but then recover separately on a proper holiday, before reconvening for the wedding. This would certainly present one solution to the issue of cost and over-spending," comments Tom Rees.
About Mintel
Mintel is a worldwide leader of competitive media, product and consumer intelligence. For more than 35 years, Mintel has provided key insight into leading global trends. With offices in Chicago, London, Belfast and Sydney, Mintel's innovative product line provides unique data that has a direct impact on client success. For more information on Mintel, please visit their Web site at www.mintel.com.
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