AO2 - marriage and cohabitation

ONS (2022) - most couples in the UK cohabit before getting married

9 in 10 cohabited prior to marriage - highest since records began in 1994

ONS (2022) - the majority of weddings that take place are civil ceremonies

17% of marriages were religious ceremonies

ONS (2022) - the average age of marriage for men and women is over 30

Median age for opposite sex marriage was 33 for men and 32 for women and same sex was 36 for men and 33 for women

Bridebook (2025) - weddings are becoming increasingly expensive

In 2024 the average wedding price was £23,700

ONS (2022) - the number of people choosing to marry has decreased since the 1990s

Between 1992 and 2022 the total number of marriages decreased by 21%

ONS (2022) - civil partnerships are available for both same and opposite sex couples

There were 6879 civil partnerships ships - 83% were opposite sex couples and 17% between same sex couples