UK GAY WEDDING SPENDING SPREE

A new study has revealed that same-sex couples spend more on civil partnerships than straight couples do on their weddings.

The survey of 6 000 people by the Direct Line Home Insurance company has revealed that gay couples had spend an estimated £62 million (approx R900 million) on their nuptials.

Since the legalisation of civil partnerships at the end of 2005, 15 672 civil partnerships have taken place in the UK.

Guests are said to spend around £700 (R10 00) in related expenses such as accommodation, food and transport, with approximately £100 (R1 400) dedicated to gifts for the couple.

Reported gifts include antiques or collectables (6 per cent), electronic items (5 per cent), adventure experiences and holiday trips (4 per cent) and most popular of all, cash or vouchers (32 per cent).

Almost 10 percent of couples said that they tied the knot for practical and legal reasons rather than for the romance associated with getting hitched. Ceremonies cost, on average, £4 000 (R56 000) to host.

According to the study there are an expected 28 000 civil partnerships ceremonies set to take place in the next 12 months in the UK.

The insurance company that undertook the survey says that more than three quarters of same sex couples do not reassess their home content insurance after receiving all the wedding goodies.