Modern weddings put marriage at risk, says Church

Many clergymen are worried that marriage is taking a back seat to the growing extravagance of modern weddings.

The perfect wedding is many womens' dream, but with ceremonies becoming increasingly extravagant, a senior clergyman has spoken out, voicing concern about the sincerity of the day.

Rev Dr. Giles Fraser, Canon Chancellor of St. Paul’s Cathedral, referred to many modern weddings as 'overblown vanity projects' influenced by those featured in celebrity magazines, which threaten the very value of marriage.

He said, ‘The problem with the modern wedding is that it’s too often a glitzy stage-set, overly concerned with the shoes, the flowers, the napkin rings and performing to the cameras.’

In addition to the expense of the wedding, there is the cost of the honeymoon wardrobe and fitness memberships or weight loss treatments to ensure the bride is looking her best.

The call to rethink wedding day priorities follows a string of surveys charting the escalating costs of modern weddings.

The price of tying the knot reached a staggering average of £21,089 last year, while a decade earlier the figure stood much lower at £9,380 including costs for the venue, catering, attire, rings and the honeymoon.

The wedding of the former first daughter, Chelsea Clinton, last weekend cost a staggering £3.2 million.

And it is not only the cost of weddings that has changed but the traditions too.

In past generations, the father of the bride has been left to foot the bill, but today most couples are deciding to at least contribute to the towering costs of their special day.

Despite his concerns, Dr Fraser said he still felt that a wedding, done right, was simply wonderful.

Do you think the obsession with the perfect wedding day has gone too far? Or do you think that every girl has the right to feel like a princess for one day?

Let us know your thoughts…

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