• Wedding guests consume an average of 14.82 units when celebrating – exceeding the recommended unit guidelines for weekly alcohol consumption in a single day 
• One in ten wedding guests (ten per cent) have driven home when they felt they could be over the limit in the last year
• Wedding guests need to wait almost 15 hours for the alcohol consumed to leave their blood system before driving 
   

New research1 from Direct Line Car Insurance reveals that wedding guests consume an average of 14.82 units1 each while celebrating, exceeding the recommended unit guidelines for weekly consumption in a single day. While Government guidance states that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, unit guidelines2 recommend that men and women do not regularly drink more than 14 units per week. People underestimate the alcohol units they consume at a wedding by 46 per cent3, guessing that they only drink an average of 8.3 units.   

One in ten wedding guests (ten per cent) in the last year have driven home when they felt they could be over the limit.  Millennials are more likely to have driven home over the limit than older generations, those aged 55+ (17 per cent compared to four per cent).  More than one in ten (11 per cent) wedding guests that planned to avoid drinking alcohol at nuptials in the last year changed their mind, drank alcohol and still drove home.  A further three per cent had intended to stay sober but ended up sleeping in their car.  

Analysis reveals that, based on average consumption, it would take almost 15 hours4 for the body to break down 14.82 units of alcohol, although this is indicative and will vary from person to person and from day to day. This is the equivalent of more than eight small glasses of wine5, meaning that wedding guests are routinely risking prosecution by driving home the evening after celebrations or the next morning, while over the drink drive limit1.

Rob Miles, director of motor at Direct Line commented: “The wedding season is now well underway and it’s no surprise that those who drink will want to raise a few toasts in celebration with their friends and family. However, with many hotels asking guests to vacate rooms before midday, there is a risk that many people driving home the day after wedding celebrations will be over the limit.  We urge people to plan ahead and take public transport if possible when attending wedding celebrations, or to leave plenty of time before getting behind the wheel.”  

The research reveals the typical bar bill at a wedding runs to £2,095 for 100 guests in the UK and on average just 15 per cent of guests do not drink alcohol, meaning the majority of attendees should make contingency plans to ensure they can travel home safely.   

If guests at a wedding drink beer throughout the celebrations they will consume on average 1,996 calories just through alcohol, or 1,275 calories if they are drinking wine.  The recommended daily calorie intake for a man is 2,500 Kcal6 and for a woman 2,000 Kcal6. 

The research revealed that June is regarded as one of the peak months for weddings, with events commanding a premium compared to other months.  Guests attending wedding celebrations this month should be especially careful if they consume alcohol and drive home either that evening or the following day.  June7 is second, only behind December, for breath tests conducted, accounting for 14% of all annual tests. 

Jade Pepperell, Editor of Love Our Wedding says: “During a wedding, alcohol often flows from the beginning. First there are reception drinks post-ceremony, followed by alcohol on the tables during the wedding breakfast and then champagne for the speeches. And, of course, the bar is open from the start of the day until the early hours. Guests drinking over long periods like this are probably unaware of the amount of units they're consuming, particularly in the peak summer wedding season, when thirst plays a part, too.”
                               
ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Antonia Green
Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: 0207 282 2967
Email: [email protected]

Chloe French 
PR Manager 
Direct Line Group 
Tel: 01651 831 715
Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editor

1) Research amongst 100 UK wedding venues 2nd-20th May 2016.  Statistics based on a wedding party of 100 guests.  Analysis based on average drink consumption during the day (as per the average wedding package of two glasses of sparkling wine and half a bottle of wine consumed plus evening bar drinks 
2) https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcoholic-drinks-units/alcohol-limits-unit-guidelines/
3) Research conducted by Opinium 29th April – 3rd May 2016 amongst a representative sample of 2,001 UK adults. 
4) http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/853.aspx?CategoryID=87 (How quickly an individual  metabolises alcohol will vary – statistics on average stated by the NHS) 
5) Based on a small glass of14% ABV  wine (125ml), equalling 1.8 units
6) http://www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/1126.aspx?categoryid=51
7) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2015/police-powers-and-procedures-england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2015


Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line. 

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. 

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

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