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