A wedding is a formal public celebration of commitment. Unfortunately, many couples get caught up in the idea of the wedding as an end in itself and don’t focus on what follows: marriage, a new beginning. When this is combined with significant debt from the celebration, the result is often discontent. From This is London:

‘There is no happy ever after,’ declared Mr. Hodson. ‘Weddings are an out-of-date ritual that offer nothing concrete to the modern independent woman but are still sold as an answer to every dissatisfaction she might have with her life.’

He said PND is on the increase. ‘It is a modern phenomenon that is very widespread,’ he said. ‘It ranges from vague discontent to full-scale depression. Left untreated it can go on indefinitely, getting more ingrained.’

Grooms have also reported being hit by the blues, but it seems that women are more likely to be affected as they tend to have a stronger emotional investment in marriage.

The cost of weddings can also leave couples with financial problems as they start their lives together. ‘But more significant are the hopes and fantasies invested in the wedding,’ added Mr. Hodson.