Wedding vows still important to modern newlyweds

While wedding venues and formats have changed in recent years, wedding vows are still a major part of a couple's wedding planning, recent research reveals.

A study of newlyweds conducted by the Church of England found that 43 per cent of brides and grooms-to-be would like the opportunity to think about the wedding ceremony and vows as part of the wedding planning process leading up to the big day.

The findings also revealed that 30 per cent of couples would find a short course on what to expect from married life.

Sue Burridge, the Church of England's marriage advisor, wrote in the Church Times: "There was a strong sense that the vows work extremely well as a teaching vehicle; that the couples' attention is very much on their wedding day; and that prep works best when you focus them on what they are promising."

Previous surveys have shown that more and more couples are opting to have their wedding abroad, as many modern couples now prefer to have a less traditional ceremony.