Competitive couples

A new condition is affecting millions of women throughout the UK as they meticulously plan their weddings.

Competitive Wedding Syndrome is said to be sweeping the nation as every bride seeks to outdo the rest with their celebrity-style ceremony.

A survey, carried out by wedding planners TK Weddings, shows that 59 per cent of brides want their guests to think their wedding is the best and most original they have attended. In contrast, only 29 per cent are interested in impressing with their wedded bliss.

As weddings become more glamorous they also become more expensive and half of all couples admit to overspending.

"It's easy to get carried away when organising a wedding," says Wedding Planner of the Year Tamryn Kirby.

"Competitive Wedding Syndrome can lead to stress, arguments and massive overspending.

"So many couples think that the only way to get a dream wedding is to buy it and that's not the case. A wedding where the couple have put thought, rather than cash, into everything is so much more impressive to guests," she adds.

The average wedding in the UK costs £19,596, meaning the couple are spending an astonishing £60 every single minute.