According to insurers LV=, 280,000 people had an overseas wedding in the past five years, an increase of almost 20% compared to a decade ago.

Although travel and accommodation are more expensive for overseas weddings, the venue, entertainment, catering, photography, decorations and the honeymoon all work out cheaper.

Despite the report saying overseas weddings cost £10,000 less than the average ceremony in the UK, British wedding guests are still left with a hefty bill from having to go to ceremonies abroad.

Brits have forked out almost £7.3bn to attend weddings abroad in the past five years, including the cost of new outfits, travel, accommodation and a wedding gift.

On average, guests pay almost £2,000 each to go to an overseas wedding – almost four times as much as they would spend to attend a UK wedding (£500), with many guests having to cut back on a proper holiday for themselves at another time or on essentials like travel insurance.

Selwyn Fernandes, managing director of LV= travel insurance, said: “Choosing to marry abroad can be a savvy move to save money and guarantee good weather – but it can be costly if you’re a guest. Combining the wedding trip with your annual holiday is a good way to save cash, but you shouldn’t cut back on travel insurance.

“With as many as one in ten guests getting sick or injured at overseas weddings, it’s vital you’re covered should the worst happen, even if you’re only away for a few days.”

The US is the most popular country for an overseas wedding followed by Spain and Italy, while Las Vegas is the most visited city.

The main reason couples give for choosing the destination is that they have a family connection with the country (63%), while better weather (32%) and an exotic setting (27%) are the other top reasons.

Some couples say they chose to marry abroad as they simply didn’t want the big wedding they would have had in the UK (22%) or that they just didn’t want to make a fuss (11%).