From Supermarket Aisle to Wedding Aisle

 

Bridal at Asda…

 

{mosimage}There’s no doubt that getting hitched in this country can be a costly affair. New statistics show that the overall cost of weddings has gone up 58% over the last 10 years. This may well explain why Asda, the supermarket giant, has jumped on the marriage bandwagon with a range of in-store wedding products.

 

Who said “romance is dead?” From Valentine’s Day you can pick up a George at Asda wedding dress with as much ease as a loaf of bread. On offer will be three bridal designs created by the George in-house team, the cream strapless dress, for example, will set you back a mere £60.

 

Other wedding products available include: groom’s outfits, bridesmaid’s and page boy outfits, wedding cake, wedding rings, plus the opportunity to book a honeymoon while you’re at it. Budget bridal by George at Asda will be available in the majority of Asda stores from the 14^th February. 

 

 

UK Weddings – Facts & Figures:

 

• {mosimage}The average wedding costs around £16,000, yet 45% of couples have no financial planning to pay for the big day, according to a study by stockbrokers Brewin Dolphin Securities.

 

• The average cost of getting married has increased by 58% in the last 10 years.

 

• Big traditional weddings are still in vogue with around half of marrying couples opting for a religious ceremony and inviting a large number of guests.

 

• There has been a rise in ‘gift lists’ with over half of marrying couples planning to use them.

 

• Average ages for getting hitched currently stands at: 28 for women and 30 for men.

 

• The average spend on a wedding dress in the UK is approximately £750 – £950.

 

• While the average spend on the groom’s outfit comes in at an average of £200.

 

• In a recent annual survey conducted by ‘You & Your Wedding’ magazine average spends on wedding rings came in at £296 for the bride and £280 for the groom. Couples splashed out more on engagement rings opting for diamonds and spending up to £1,000.

 

• The survey revealed that the business of marriage is booming and people are splashing out more than ever before.

 

 

Up & Coming Wedding Apparel Shows:

 

1 The UK Wedding Show     {mosimage}

 

ExCel, London Docklands – 28^th – 29^th January 2006

 

www.theukweddingshows.co.uk

 

 

2 The National Wedding Show {mosimage}

 

Birmingham NEC Spring – Feb 17^th – 19^th 2006

London Olympia Spring – Feb 24^th – 26^th 2006

London Earl’s Court Autumn – Sept 29^th -1^st Oct 2006

Birmingham NEC Autumn – Oct 13^th -15^th Oct 2006

 

www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk

 

 

3 The Designer Wedding Show {mosimage}

 

Battersea Park London – 17^th –19^th February 2006

 

www.designerweddingshow.co.uk

 

 

4 British Bridal Exhibition Harrogate UK {mosimage}

 

Harrogate International Centre – 12^th – 14^th March 2006

 

www.ukbridalshow.co.uk

 

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5 Mahogany Bridal Show – Europe‘s largest African Caribbean Bridal Exhibition

 

Novotel, Hammersmith, London – 19^th March 2006

 

www.mahoganybrides.co.uk

 

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6 2005 saw the first ‘Gay Wedding Show’ held at four key cities around the country. Declared as a great success organizers are now planning to tour the exhibition across the UK throughout 2006. Exhibitors involved ranged from ceremony packages to wedding fashions. For more information visit:

 

www.gayweddingshow.co.uk

 

 

 

By JoJo Iles