Mention the W-word and the so-called “wedding tax” can send the price soaring – sometimes doubling it or more
‘Hitch ’n Ride’, the limited-edition service transporting wedding couples(Image: MI/Uber)
Anyone who has ever got married knows the golden rule: never tell suppliers that the cake, favours or decorations are for a wedding. Mention the W-word and the so-called “wedding tax” can send the price soaring – sometimes doubling it or more.
With the cost of tying the knot continuing to climb, it’s perhaps no surprise that couples are looking for ways to rein in their spending. New research from Uber published as we hit peak wedding season, suggests couples are saving thousands by slashing the guest list.
Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of couples surveyed reported severe nuptial burnout, while two in five (42 per cent) admitted they had come close to calling the whole thing off amid soaring costs and guest-list politics. And the traditional wedding venue may be losing some of its appeal, with many following in the footsteps of music icons like Dua Lipa and Charli XCX, both of whom married in town halls recently.
Those opting for a smaller town-hall wedding saved an average of £2,171 in venue and catering costs by cutting the traditional guest list, according to research commissioned by ride-hailing company Uber, with couples saying the money could instead go towards honeymoons and house deposits. The findings come as Uber launches a promotion aimed at couples getting married over the August Bank Holiday weekend, offering registry-office newlyweds an open-top convertible getaway.
Called ‘Hitch ’n Ride’, the limited-edition service will see chauffeurs transport happy couples by convertible to their ceremony before driving them on to their reception, with a bottle of bubbles provided for the journey. Uber says the idea is to give newlyweds a more glamorous departure from the town hall without the expense of hiring traditional wedding transport.
Andrew Brem, General Manager at Uber UK, said “At Uber, we believe showing up for our riders matters, whether it’s for the everyday or one of life’s biggest moments. For couples saying ‘I do’ at their local town hall, HITCH ‘N RIDE makes getting to the celebration easier, while adding a little extra magic to the journey.”
- How to Book: HITCH ‘N RIDE will run exclusively over the August Bank Holiday (28th to 31st August) across the UK. Tickets will go live on the site at 10am on 24 th August. Bookings will open via www.hitchnride.co.uk on a first-come, first-served basis.
