(1888PressRelease) -- Latest figures compiled by leading bridal and formal wear experts Cameron Ross show that the bridal industry expects nuptial numbers to increase by up to 20% in 2012. Despite fears that the economic downturn would stop couples from tying the knot, insiders say that with advance orders for wedding outfits already close to record levels, all the evidence suggests that this will be a bumper year for the business.

"In difficult times people tend to focus on the things that really matter, and in response to the slowdown couples across the country are choosing to stop putting their big day off and make 2012 the year that they finally get married. It may be a time of austerity, but the volume of bookings would suggest that people in the UK are refusing to allow the recession to get in the way of romance," said Richard Freedman, Managing Director at Cameron Ross.

"We are already looking at a minimum increase in the number of weddings of 15%, but it's still very early in a leap year and a rush of Valentine's Day and Leap Day proposals could very well see that number soar beyond 20%. We also think that the Royal Wedding last year helped to get people in the mood to get married."

Cameron Ross compiles its industry reports using market leading systems supplied by sister company Xedo Software. This sophisticated software allows retailers to capture information about hire parties quickly and easily to provide vital information about upcoming demand. It was during an analysis of these figures that the growth in weddings became apparent.

In the course of outfitting the nation's wedding parties the company cleaned and pressed more than two million garments including a million jackets, trousers and waistcoats and a million ties, ruches and other accessories. Given that a wedding boom is now on the way, the firm is bracing itself for an even greater laundry load in 2012.