In Egypt, weddings get costlier as economic hardships deepen

Nadia Mohammad Salem tries on a wedding dress in Cairo, Egypt October 2, 2018. Picture taken October 2, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

CAIRO (Reuters) - Nadia Mohammad Salem started saving up for her wedding long before she got engaged. But getting married proved far more stressful than she'd imagined when her husband proposed a year ago.

The number of marriages across Egypt fell by nearly 3 percent in 2017, according to official data, and a lot of that appears to be down to rising costs.

Nadia Mohammad Salem and her husband celebrate with family on their wedding day, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

"Things were very expensive," said Nadia, 30. "I was feeling nervous and concerned."

Tough economic reforms including a devaluation of the country's pound in late 2016 have led to a dramatic increase in prices, notably for the imported goods bought by many newly-weds to equip their homes.

"All of the necessities that come with getting married are going to be more expensive," said Rania Salem, assistant professor at the University of Toronto's sociology department. "Therefore I would expect people to stay in the single state or engagement period longer and longer."

Nadia Mohammad Salem and her husband Mohammad al-Sayed pose for a wedding picture, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

In 2012, the average cost of a wedding was 61,000 Egyptian pounds, Salem said. Back then the currency traded at around 6.15 to the dollar, compared with nearly 18 now.

This year, Nadia spent around 80,000 pounds ($4,500) on just her "gehaz" - the kitchen equipment and other items a bride purchases ahead of her marriage. Despite help from her family, she had to save up for years.

On their wedding day in November, she and her husband had a small celebration on the street rather than a formal party.

A hairdresser places a tiara on Nadia Mohammad Salem's head on her wedding day, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

A week later, she put on a cheap, second-hand dress and gathered with her husband and a few relatives in a garden, where they posed for pictures.

Nadia said she hoped her children would find getting married less of a financial burden.

"If I have a daughter, I hope things will be much easier for her," she said. "I want her to have everything she wants."

Nadia Mohammad Salem and her husband Mohammad al-Sayed pose for a picture on their wedding day, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

(Reporting and writing by Lena Masri, additional reporting by Hayam Adel, editing by John Stonestreet)

Nadia Mohammad Salem holds cash that was gifted to her on her wedding day, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem tries on her wedding dress in Cairo, Egypt October 2, 2018. Picture taken October 2, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem pays the hairdresser who did her hair and makeup on her wedding day, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem takes a selfie on her wedding day, in Cairo, Egypt November 9, 2018. Picture taken November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem and her relatives prepare for her wedding, in Cairo, Egypt November 1, 2018. Picture taken November 1, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem tries on her wedding dress in Cairo, Egypt October 2, 2018. Picture taken October 2, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem's friends congratulate her after she signed her wedding contract, in Cairo, Egypt November 2, 2018. Picture taken November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem picks out fabrics for new clothes she will wear after the wedding, in Cairo, Egypt September 7, 2018. Picture taken September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem picks out fabrics for new clothes she will wear after the wedding, in Cairo, Egypt September 7, 2018. Picture taken September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem dances with her relatives outside her family home the day before her wedding, in Cairo, Egypt November 2, 2018. Picture taken November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem picks out fabrics for new clothes she will wear after the wedding, in Cairo, Egypt September 7, 2018. Picture taken September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem and her fiancee Mohammad al-Sayed formalise their wedding contract, in Cairo, Egypt November 2, 2018. Picture taken November 2, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem is seen at a market, shopping for the new home she will live in after getting married, in Cairo, Egypt September 7, 2018. Picture taken September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel

Nadia Mohammad Salem is seen sitting with her relatives at her family home before her wedding in Cairo, Egypt September 14, 2018. Picture taken September 14, 2018. REUTERS/Hayam Adel