Stag enjoys 'secret wedding'

The traditional British stag party might be an unforgettable affair, but one groom managed to celebrate his final night of freedom without even realising he was doing so.

Mark Bateman was fitted for a new suit and enjoyed a stag night on the town as part of girlfriend Ann's surprise wedding plans - but remained oblivious to what was in store.

According to the Sentinel, the couple had to abandon hopes of a larger wedding, but Ann remained determined to tie the knot and went about her secret arrangements.

She told her husband-to-be they were attending a distant cousin's wedding - and managed to keep the plans a surprise right up until the ceremony.

Ann said: "It was very difficult to keep quiet, but I managed to get him fitted for a new suit and he even went on his own stag do without knowing what it was."

The whole affair proved to be "a real bargain", costing just £300 - a far cry from the average wedding day spend.

According to You and Your Wedding Magazine, a typical couple borrows as much as £26,000 to help fund their perfect ceremony.