WEDDING organisers are advising couples to plan a careful budget, as a new survey showed the average cost of a wedding is now £19,400.

As women get their leap year chance to propose on February 29, the Alliance and Leicester report said that on average the cost of a wedding was underestimated by a staggering £3,500.

Claire Christmas, who owns Unity, a wedding and event planning company based in West Malling said: "A figure of £19,400 for the average wedding does not surprise me at all.

"But the cost really does vary from person to person and situation to situation. We are working with a couple who have set their budget at £15,000 and we are working around that."

The most expensive wedding her firm had organised was for £30,000, with a lot of the cost incurred because the happy day was set in London. But she said that even in Kent, £20,000 would not be unusual.

Savings could be made by deciding on something you like, whether it be flowers, or the dress, and then shopping around to get that look for less.

"It takes some footwork, but pick the idea you want and find the supplier who can reproduce it for the cheapest price possible."

Wedding planner Abigail Agba, of Chatham-based Affordable Weddings, said couples could save money by shopping around.

"With the reception you can save money on the location. It is a matter of personal choice. There are locations you can use where the prices are reasonable."

The Alliance and Leicester Personal Loans survey found that 91 per cent of men though it was perfectly acceptable for women to propose. Only 29 per cent of women agreed.

February 29th is the one day every four years when women are traditionally said to have the right to propose to men.

Richard Al-Dabbagh, Head of Personal Loans at Alliance & Leicester, said: "Love is in the air, but so is inflation. The cost of a modern wedding continues to rise, and whilst a wedding should be the most important and enjoyable day of your life, it does come with a hefty price tag attached."

The £19,400 average cost included an average £7,725 for the reception, £2,752 for the ceremony and £1,900 for rings.

The honeymoon cost an average of £3,395, while outfits cost £2,998. The not-to-be forgotten stag and hen nights cost an average of £630.

On Sunday March 9 the Kent Messenger is organising the Dream Wedding Show in the grounds of Leeds Castle. More information >>>