More and more people are taking out loans to help fund their wedding plans, according to new research by Sainsburys Finance .
The financial provider found that 13,600 personal loans worth over £113 million were taken out to pay for weddings during the first quarter of 2009, representing a 43 per cent increase in the number of loans taken out for this purpose from the same period in 2008.
In addition, the company said an estimated £82 million worth of loans have been taken out in the first four months of 2009 to partially cover the cost of weddings .
But despite the significant rise in popularity of wedding-funding loans, the average value of loans purely for this purpose has dropped slightly.
According to Sainsburys Finance, the average wedding loan was £8,292 during the first quarter of this year, compared to £8,644 for the same period last year.
Steven Baillie, Head of Loans at Sainsburys Finance, commented: "Loans have long been a popular way to pay for or part fund a wedding but the increase we've seen this year would suggest more couples are looking to spread the cost of their big day."
"If you decide that a loan is the best way to pay for your wedding, make sure you shop around to get the best rate and payment term for you, it could save you a considerable amount in repayments ."
Sainsburys Finance is currently offering a personal loan rate of 7.9 per cent APR to nectar card shoppers applying online for loans of between £5,000 and £15,000.






