Cost of loving crisis pushes up wedding bill by £1,300

GETTING hitched in 2023 is £1,385 more expensive than a year ago, as inflation pushes up prices.

Comparison site Fizzbox found the cost of the average wedding rose from £20,018 to £21,403, a 7pc rise.

The average cost of a wedding dress had risen from £1,002 to £1,285, up by nearly 30pc, while videographers charge an average £350 more.

Stag dos were also 10pc dearer on average – rising from £191 to £210.

Jordan Herbert, of stag do planning service The Stag Company, said: “We did see an increase in last-minute demand last year, which inevitably means that things are more expensive.

“So booking earlier is a good way to keep prices down.”

Emily Mikus, of Fizzbox, said: “Those hoping to celebrate abroad may be shielded from price increases, as some travel providers in EU countries have decided to hold their prices for 2023.

“I believe this is taking into account the fact that the pound has dropped in value and they do not want to discourage travel to key destinations.”

She added: “I can see budget experiences doing well and people will probably get more creative.”

A survey of 300 couples revealed 57pc were considering tying the knot abroad to save money.

More cash-conscious couples were prepared to take drastic measures to save on wedding costs, with 84pc of them saying they would eschew traditional wedding transport in favour of something cheaper such as public transport.

And 32pc said that they would opt to play music from a laptop or phone over a speaker rather than paying for DJ entertainment.

Brides were reluctant to be frugal about their wedding dresses, however. Only 17pc saying they would consider a second-hand one from a charity shop.

However, more than half said the bride and groom should not have to foot the bill for the bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s attire.

Fizzbox urged couples to get married in winter or on weekdays to cut costs.

It said midweek weddings were up to £1,200 cheaper than at busy weekends.

Getting hitched in the winter was also roughly half the price of a summer wedding.