OVER A THIRD OF UK COUPLES FLEE UK TO SAY 'I DO' ABROAD

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Abroad magazine (DWHA) launches this week - in response to the soaring demand from couples who are jetting off to marry overseas.

Tying the knot abroad was once the preserve of the rich and famous. Now, over a third* of engaged couples are planning to marry abroad – according to new research, commissioned by Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Abroad magazine.

Saying goodbye to Blighty and saying hello to wedding vows in the sunshine is set to be one of the UK's fastest growing trends for 2015 - the study also revealed almost half of brides to be who were quizzed (42%) would prefer to get married abroad without having to invite distant family and acquaintances.*

In fact, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) estimate that at least 1.5 million** people annually will travel abroad to a wedding as part of a wedding party, proving there are plenty of guests willing to jet off to watch loved ones say their vows.

Other reasons cited for the growing popularity of destination weddings include the weather – and the fact these celebrations are significantly cheaper. The average cost of a UK wedding at home is £18,000*** – but the average wedding cost abroad is £8,000.

“The feedback we've had from brides has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Lucy Hunter, Editor of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Abroad magazine. “Couples are hungry for advice when it comes organising their destination wedding. It's a social trend which has completely transformed the bridal market.”

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Abroad magazine and website will be launched on 15th January 2015. It will cover wedding and honeymoon destinations, fashion, accessories, beauty and everything you need to know when it comes to how to tie the knot abroad.

For more information:

Editor: Lucy Hunter editor@sunsetpublishing.co.uk +44 (0) 207 236 2515

Publishing Director: Phil Parker phil@sunsetpublishing.co.uk 07768 533941

Note to Editors:

*DWHA Research 2014 Survey Methodology

Objective:

To ascertain the attitudes of women to getting married abroad and honeymooning abroad.

Methodology:

Self completion questionnaires face to face and online.
Fieldwork Dates: 26/09/14 - 01/10/14.
No contact details were requested.

Sample Size: 241

Key findings:

• Over a third (34%) of the sample are considering or planning to get married abroad.

• Almost half of brides to be (42%) would prefer to get married abroad without having to invite distant family and acquaintances.

• Almost all (97%) brides to be are considering or planning a honeymoon abroad.

Notes: 88% of sample were planning to get married within the next 18 months.
54% were aged 25-34

Additional Sources:

** Consumer research was conducted by Arkenford Ltd for the ABTA Consumer Trends survey, August 2013.

*** http://www.telegraph.co.uk, May 2013 / http://www.thisismoney.co.uk, August 2014

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