Summer is, allegedly, upon us. Which, along with myriad exposed (and very white) legs, and the frightening notion that beachwear may imminently have to be donned, means that wedding season is here. Fashion features full of gorgeous hats, and lists of dos and don’ts fill the supplements (the new outfit currently sitting under my desk for next weekend apparently breaks all sorts of rules. I remain unswayed).
So we were unsurprised to see that the Halifax has taken full advantage of this fact, releasing a timely story about the cost of weddings – to the guests.
Statistics released by the bank suggest that attendance at a wedding costs, on average, £624.10. Ouch.
It definitely created some debate in the Van office: a colleague sitting opposite me fervently agreed that it’s an expensive process, with the conversation leading quickly on to whether the concept of a wedding list is an acceptable one, and taking up a good proportion of the morning.
With over half the office being involved in a wedding in some form this year, whether attending, boycotting or taking the plunge, the item was a great example of how a simple story can have real talkability: so long as it taps into a near-universal experience, and engages its audience. And if it’s a subject that can channel a little outrage, then so much the better.
I might reconsider that outfit, after all – for something a bit cheaper.
