£62 million spent on civil partnership ceremonies

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • March 23, 2007 - 10:33

Topping the list of venues includes registry offices (54%), hotels (15 %) and stately homes (8%).

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New research shows that civil partnership ceremonies are more popular than ever, with UK couples splashing out an estimated £62 million on getting hitched and 28,000 ceremonies set to happen over the next year.

Three years on from the publication of the Civil Partnerships Bill, research from Direct Line Home Insurance reveals that over 15,000 same-sex ceremonies have taken place with a further 28,000 set to happen this year, costing on average £4,000 to host.

The research shows that ceremonies are also costly for guests, who spend an average of £700 in expenses including food, hotel bills and transport when attending a civil partnership bash.

And it's gifts that make up a large proportion of this spend, with guests splashing out nearly £100 each.

Typical choices include antiques or collectables (6%), electronic items (5%), or even adventure experiences and holiday trips (4%).

However it's cash that proves most popular, with one in three guests (32%) choosing to give money or vouchers.

Topping the list of venues includes registry offices (54%), hotels (15 %) and stately homes (8%).

For many, partnerships are a practical affair with one in ten (9%) of couples reporting they had their ceremony for legal rather than romantic reasons.

Direct Line Home Insurance spokesperson Carmel McCarthy comments:

"Our research shows that more than three quarters (79%) of civil partners do not re-assess their home contents insurance. This is very unwise and means that couples may receive a nasty surprise when they return home to find they have been burgled."

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