CONDÉ NAST BRIDES have released their UK Wedding Industry survey results, and there are a number of positive figures showing.  Here are some of the most interesting points:

• The average overall cost of getting married is £22,858 (up from £21,901 in 2007)
• Couples in London and the South East spend on average £23,932
• Couples in Wales and the South West spend on average – £18,991
• 53% of couples pay for most of the wedding costs
• 35% of brides would consider cosmetic surgery for their wedding (an increase of 21% year on year)
• 5% couples in the UK will sign a pre-nuptual agreement (7% of Scotish couples,6% of Londoners, 5% of Welsh couples and 2% of those in the Midlands and North/North East)
• 88% of brides will take their husband’s surname once married. 3% will keep their own, while 7% of couples are combining surnames.
• The average length of an engagement remains 18 months
• 93% of couples plan to live together, or are already doing so, prior to their wedding.
• The average engagement ring costs £2,090 (a 6.1% increase from 2007)
• 61% of brides choose their own engagement ring
• 3% of grooms will not wear a wedding ring
• 45% of couples chose a religious ceremony
• Brides in East Anglia spend most on flowers, at £750, spending 44% more than the UK average spend of £520.
• Brides paid an average of £1,200 for their dress.
• 17% of couples have their honeymoon in Europe.
• Couples spend an average of £3,860 on their honeymoon.
• The average age to get married for a bride is 29 and that of a groom is 31