How Much Does The Average Wedding Cost?

Well, according to the wedding magazines and industry, about £19,500 (in late 2006).  In mid 2005 the figure was put at £17,000 (by Motley Fool.uk website), and not so long ago, figures of £12,000 were being bandied about.

So why the rise, is it really that expensive, and how do you keep the costs down?

The fluctuation in estimates is partly because there's no way to get a true average estimate of cost.  Not least because people with the time and inclination to pour over wedding magazines and respond to surveys are more likely to spend more than average.

Secondly, these estimates often include the cost of the honeymoon, which could perhaps better be considered part of one's annual holiday budget.

Nevertheless, the lesson  to learn is that weddings can cost an awful lot.  Plus, people are spending more on all types of goods and services in recent years, compared to the past.  This is because of the low interest rate and low inflation environment.

If you don't want to spend a fortune, you could do worse than look at Motley Fool's cost reduction advice.