Young Irish couples dream of celeb-style weddings

CELEBRITY weddings might have suffered a bit of a backlash over the summer but it hasn’t stopped young Irish couples wanting to marry in the style of Posh and Becks.

New research shows that Irish people intending to walk up the aisle together would like a ceremony and reception in the grandeur associated with the marriage of English soccer star David Beckham and his popstar wife, Victoria.

However, in reality, the majority of Irish newlyweds only spend around €7,000 on their wedding day.

Only 7% are prepared to invest as much as €20,000 on their special day and that could fall even further if one discounts Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary and Westlife from the equation.

In contrast, British people are less reluctant to scrimp on their weddings, with one-third of couples spending between €14,000 and €21,000 on the event.

But if money was no object, it seems we would all like to have the lavish nuptials complete with big church wedding, white dress and regal-like reception.

Just over half of all young couples in Ireland claim they would have their big day out in a manner that would attract the likes of glossy magazines Hello! and VIP, according to a study conducted by Tesco Personal Finance.

Not surprisingly, even more Britons would like to emulate the champagne lifestyle with a staggering 79% of couples hoping to do a variation of the Nicky and Georgina wedding.

According to Fay Hogg of Tesco Personal Finance, the study shows finances play a key role in wedding day planning. "While 51% of couples would choose a Posh and Becks-type wedding if money were no object, only 21% of people could actually afford it," she said.

The survey showed Irish people are more likely to get married in a traditional church setting with close friends and family.

Some 41% of us opt for this type of ceremony compared to just 12% of British couples.

Almost one-third of couples ask their parents to contribute to the cost of the weddings, even if only 13% actually rely on their parents and in-laws to fund the entire event.

The study also reveals that Irish couples argue less than their British counterparts in the run-up to the wedding.