Couples say "I do" with a foreign accent

Increasing numbers of Britons are choosing to get married abroad, new figures show.

Research by Direct Line home insurance found that almost a quarter of the UK couples marrying in the past two years did so abroad.

This is up from just nine per cent during the years 1996 to 2001, suggesting a rapidly growing trend for foreign nuptials, fuelling an industry worth £1.8 billion over the past two years.

Two in five of those questioned said they wanted to combine their wedding and honeymoon into one holiday extravaganza.

The dismal British weather also drove many couples abroad, with a third wanting to guarantee good weather for their big day. A quarter also admitted that relatives had driven them overseas, with foreign nuptials seen as the best way to exclude annoying aunts and uncles.

South Africa, St Lucia, Mauritius, Las Vegas and Antigua were the favourite destinations for couples, offering a combination of sun and romance.

Posted by Just the Flight, 13 March 2006 09:50

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