WEDDINGS in Ireland are an expensive business – we all know that – but how much of an Irish bride’s savings really go on the gown?
It’s been revealed that the average spend on a wedding dress in Ireland is €1,787 (£1,500) – up €74 on the year previous year.
But that’s nothing compared to the overall cost of tying the knot – including the honeymoon.
All things considered, the average amount that Irish couples spend on their big day is an eye-watering €26,015 (£22,800), which represents a 7 percent increase on last year’s figure of €24,427.
Given that last year’s number was itself an 8 percent increase on the year before that – it’s fair to say it’s getting costlier and costlier to get hitched in Ireland.
The figures come from an annual poll of 1,200 participants by weddingsonline, who also found that 60 percent of Irish newlyweds go over their planned budget.
To foot the bill, 22 percent of couples relied on help from their parents, while a brave 18 percent took out loans.
"I think a lot of brides have a figure in their head when they go dress shopping but that can all change very quickly," weddingsonline editor Pamela Mahon told thevow.ie.
"They’ve no intention of spending X amount on a dress until they’re in a bridal boutique and find a dress that is just perfect. The dress often wins!”
She added: "Of course there’s the option of selling it afterwards. Brides sell everything from their centrepieces to the dress itself.
"It’s a great way to make some cash back and help out other couples.”
