LONDON, August 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

-Bridal couples are on the look-out for sunnier (and cheaper) wedding venues, say Holiday Hypermarket-

Holiday Hypermarket reports that the number of bridal couples heading to sunnier shores is on the rise due to the increasing cost of weddings in the UK combined with the availability of destination weddings in exotic locales.

Wedding prices are soaring in the UK, having increased to over £18,500, according to the Daily Mail.

The high price tag is driving lovebirds abroad to cheaper wedding destinations including Italy, Las Vegas, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Islands like Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua, in particular, have the kind of panoramic beaches and Caribbean sunshine that prospective brides and grooms prefer.

Despite their far-flung locations, international destination weddings are likely to span several days, lasting longer than home-bound weddings. According to The Knot Market Intelligence Destination Weddings Study, which is a "definitive" report on the industry, nearly half of all destination weddings last four or more days.

In addition, 86 per cent of couples still plan to take a honeymoon afterwards, and the majority hope to cut costs by enjoying their first holiday together in their wedding locale.

Calum Macdonald, E-Commerce Manager at Holiday Hypermarket, comments: "There are so many destinations that have idyllic settings, but which are also affordable locations to plan a wedding. Barbados and Antigua are just two beauty spots that are worth investigating this year."

About Holiday Hypermarket:

Holiday Hypermarket (http://www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/) is a UK based holiday comparison community. We are passionate about helping people in the UK explore, learn and enjoy the world by removing the obstacles that keep them from getting the most out of their holidays. We do this by providing a completely independent travel comparison site that allows you to effortlessly find the best deals with the assistance of a knowledgeable community of fellow travellers who love to share travel advice.

With Holiday Hypermarket you have access to a huge number of travel suppliers which will help you put together flexible, restriction free, itineraries. This, combined with our excellent customer service and vibrant online community, makes Holiday Hypermarket a great place to start exploring the world.

SOURCE Holiday Hypermarket