A lifetime of married bliss costs £270k

A LIFETIME of wedded bliss is the aim of most people planning to get hitched.

But a survey of the happiest married couples reveals i t will cost £267,357.

It starts by laying the ‘foundations’ with a lavish big day and honeymoon, costing an average £21,257.

But regular holidays, flowers and gifts help keep the spark alive.

The study showed the happiest couples have an average of three date nights together a month, including meals, drinks and cinema trips – with an average spend of £39 per date night, totalling £117 per month and £1,404 per year. And romantic nights in were also cited as a major aspect of a good relationship, with the average happy couple spending three romantic nights in together per month.

The average spend per romantic night in was £15.50 – including Netflix, movie downloads, takeaways, wine, beers and snacks – totalling £46.50 per month, or £558 per year.

But the spending does not stop there – getting ‘date-ready’ for their other half costs £267 per year according to couples wanting to look good for their spouse.

The study also revealed time together with no children was integral to keeping a marriage alive, with the average couple claiming that one holiday a year together and three mini breaks was optimum, costing £2,337 per year.

Twice-monthly gifts also made the list of secrets to a happy marriage – costing £25.40. In terms of more lavish gifts, the yearly spend on jewellery came to £477.

However, a further 21 percent said they spent more than £1,000 a year on jewellery for their other half. Wives also received one bunch of flowers per month.

Encouragingly an impressive 84 percent of those polled for rewards site Quidco said they were in a happy marriage.

Vix Leyton, spokesman for Quidco, said: ‘While the best things in life, in this case love, are free, ostentatious gestures to demonstrate it come at a cost.

‘Half of people surveyed believe a dream wedding plays a part in setting you up for a strong marriage but engaged couples need to keep an eye on their budget to avoid starting their wedded life in debt.’

Saying ‘I love you’ was seen as essential, with the average happy couple uttering those words to eachother 16 times a month on average.

Encouragingly, despite the apparently high expense, some 84 per cent of those polled said they were happy in their marriage.

‘Keep an eye on their budget’