The average cost of a wedding has increased by a whopping 22.9% from 2009 to 2010, official statistics have shown.  Brides and grooms were spending an average of £12,606 in 2009 and this jumped to £15,494 last year.

Fifty specific products and services saw an increase in spending with wedding planning services outperforming all other categories.  Accessories also saw a big jump in taking its fair share of the bridal budget, as did beauty (including spa treatments) and stationery (including wedding table plans and general wedding stationery).

While stationery such as wedding table plans might not seem like huge business, remember that most wedding parties will order several to be placed around the function room, have a couple as back-up plans and have them reprinted several times before they are finalised.  Multiply that by every bride-to-be about to tie the knot and it’s a booming business.

While you are busy doing all the hard work for your wedding day, there are people employed to work out just how much brides are spending, what they are buying and even how many guests you are inviting!

Yes, while you are concerned with details such as placing an order for your save the date magnets, there are boffins sitting in a boardroom somewhere logging where money is being spent and predicting the latest bridal trends and styles.

According to the latest reports, the wedding industry is starting to show signs of emerging from the recession-inducing years of 2008 and 2009.  Last year saw couples spending 23% more on their wedding compared with the previous year.  The number of guests also climbed from an average of 128 guests in 2009 to 141 last year.  This will either make you feel very unpopular with far fewer guests than that, or a little guilty that your guest list is more than double!

So, while you are busy with your save the date magnets, budgeting and dress fittings, spare a thought for the men and women in suits who are analysing exactly what it is you and your fellow brides are planning for your wedding day!

After last week’s article on ‘Wish Upon A Wedding’ we heard from a news follower about another charity who encourage the use of charity wedding favours.

Maybe it’s just this time of year that gets us all sentimental and looking to do good in the world and for those less fortunate, but we love our charities and couldn’t wait to tell you all about this great cause.

For those brides and grooms whose families and lives have been touched by cancer, they are being encouraged while deciding on their wedding invitations, guest books and photo albums to look at charity wedding favours to complement their big day.

Couples are able to honour a loved one and show their commitment to ending cancer by choosing a charitable donation in lieu of (or alongside) the more traditional favours.  Think along the lines of customised scrolls, bookmarks or simple centre pieces asking your guests to make a donation to a cancer charity of your choice.

So if you’ve got your wedding invitations sorted, the cake is ordered and the guest list has been finalised, don’t forget about your wedding favours and maybe include a charity in your thoughts too.