If you have been to a wedding over the last year & thought the couple must have spent a small fortune, you were probably right. According to a new survey of 4,000 brides, the average cost of a wedding in the UK is now a hefty £27,161.

This represents a rise of nearly 10 percent from last year, says wedding planning website Hitched, who conducted the survey.

For most couples, the biggest wedding day expense is the venue, which now costs an average of £4,354. The honeymoon (which has an average cost of £3,630) & the food (which has an average cost of £3,353) are both significant wedding day expenses, too. Meanwhile, the average cost of an engagement ring is now £2,084.

Responding to the results, Hitched's editor Sarah Allard said: "It seems most couples are paying for their big day with a little family contribution, & inviting more guests to their day & evening celebrations too – both of which could account for an increase in total spend compared to last year."

It is worth noting that the average cost of a wedding does vary from region to region. In London, it rises to £33,884, but it's slightly lower in Northern Ireland (£28,339), Scotland (£26,544) & the Midlands (£25,915).