A recent report has revealed that destination weddings or ‘Bikini’ weddings as they are sometimes known are on the increase.

It would appear that the conventional wedding is being swapped for a beach ceremony in the sun, with one in six weddings now taking place overseas.

An increasing number of couples are deciding against an extravagant white wedding in a church or a costly ceremony in a hotel, and are opting to exchange their vows in the sun, at a third of the cost of the average British wedding.

Since 2003, the market for destination weddings has grown by an astonishing 33%, and additional research indicated that this figure is set to grow further as the credit crunch across the UK deepens and a full blown recession grips the country.

A travel analyst for the market research company that published the report said:-

“Getting married abroad has become an increasingly popular choice for couples looking to tie the knot.

As the credit crunch bites and recession looms, this could be the perfect cost-saving measure allowing couples to have the wedding day they have always dreamed of.

The market is benefiting from a growing willingness amongst couples to break with social convention and experiment with new wedding styles. From beach ceremonies in the Caribbean to ’snow weddings’ in Lapland, this special occasion has certainly become more niche and personalised.”

Official findings have confirmed that the number of marriages taking place in the UK is at its lowest for more than 100 years as growing numbers of couples settle for living together rather than tying the knot, and the numbers of couples who are actually married is at its lowest ever, at less than 50% of the UK’s adult population.

Those couples who are getting married are choosing to wed in sunnier climes, lured by lower costs and elevated temperatures. The report also revealed that the average cost of a destination wedding came in at £6,500 in contrast to the £20,000 average that it costs for a wedding in the UK.

It would seem that our pets are playing a more important role in our lives than ever before. In fact it looks as if we are choosing to involve them in nearly all that we do.

One devoted couple who wed on a Scottish beach a short time ago would undoubtedly be in agreement - the happy couples’ pet German shepherd wasn’t just around to watch her owners get married, but was actually in attendance as a bridesmaid!

When 41 year old bride Anne Marie Fulton and her groom, 46 year old Anthony Gallacher who both live and work in Glasgow said ‘I do’ in a Highland civil ceremony they couldn’t bear to do it in the absence of beloved pet.

The newly weds married on Camusdarch Beach, Morar, as their proud pooch looked on in a bridesmaids dress designed and crafted by Anthony’s sister.

The ecstatic bride said of her unusual choice of bridesmaid:-

“We have had Caidir, which means “cherish” in Gaelic, since she was a puppy. She goes everywhere with us. We don’t have children and Caidir is like my baby, so we just had to make her a bridesmaid. While the ceremony was going on, Caidir was digging holes on the beach. It certainly made the wedding a bit different. Everyone, including Caidir, had a fantastic day.”