Couples shun wedding pay tradition

British couples are shunning the tradition that says the bride's parents should pay for their wedding, according to research.

Figures show that more than half (52%) of Britons would expect to pick up the tab themselves, the study for John Lewis Insurance found.

Women are more likely than men to want to take financial responsibility for financing their big day - 58% compared with 46%.

More than a third (37%) said they would like both sets of parents to contribute towards the nuptials.

And just under one in 10 (9%) would adopt a more traditional approach and expect the bride's parents to pay for their wedding.

John Brady, head of commercial at John Lewis Insurance, said: "This change may have come about because weddings are getting more expensive, meaning people are less willing to burden the bride's parents with the whole cost.

"It might also be that the increasing age of marrying couples has given them greater financial independence.

"Either way, it can never be a bad thing if couples are thinking seriously about how their wedding will be funded well in advance of the big day."

:: A total of 2,031 UK adults were surveyed by ICM between April 20 and 27 this year for the John Lewis Insurance Wedding Report.