Newly married Irish couples gripped by the recession are opting to go on 'mini-moons' after their wedding.

Loved-up couples are now choosing to go on a romantic mini-break after swapping vows, and then save for the 'real' honeymoon later on.

Irish people increasingly are getting married later in life, which means many have already travelled extensively before saying 'I do', and so want to go to more far-flung destinations for their honeymoon.

The couple are also more likely to ask their guests for cash, as opposed to gifts, which will offset the cost of their expensive honeymoon.

Despite the recession and global credit crunch, the average spend on weddings remain the same, although now Irish couples are looking for more value for their money.

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"The average age for people to marry in Ireland has increased in recent years, with many brides now in their mid-thirties when they walk down the aisle, compared to 10 years ago when most were around 25," said Wynn Penton, the Wedding Journal Show director.

"This has resulted in a more affluent but time-poor bride, who is often prepared to pay a premium price to create the wedding of her dreams.

"The influence of celebrity weddings and wedding TV cannot be underestimated as it is having a noticeable effect on the style of Irish weddings, which are becoming larger and more flamboyant, resulting in increased spend," she added.

The average cost of a wedding in Ireland stood at €25,000 in 2007 -- but industry experts don't believe this figure will slip during these recessionary times.

Ms Penton said brides are shopping around, pricing various items, and using the internet to source a bargain.

And the strength of the euro against sterling means many brides are opting to travel to the North for their big day, where Ms Penton is hearing of retailers offering a €1 to £1 rate.

However, according to Ms Penton, many hotels throughout the country are offering 'Credit Crunch reception deals' to encourage couples to book their weddings.

More than 18,000 people are expected to flock to the Wedding Journal Show, which returns to the City West Complex this year on January 16-18, and in Mill Street, Cork, on January 24 and 25. Couples will also be in with a chance to win their dream wedding, worth €46,000, if they enter the competition Cupid's Quest.

The Wedding Journal has outlined the following top tips for couples planning to marry:

• Set a budget and stick to it;

• All contracts are negotiable;

• Speak to the right person when you are booking;

• Negotiate face to face;

• Striking a good deal is not always about price;

• Sometimes it is easier to get additional items or services in your package than it is to negotiate on price;

• Consider getting married midweek;

• Make your own stationery;

• Instead of gifts ask guests to make a donation towards, for example, your honeymoon.

- Jane Last