Weddings are a way of lining up baby-sitters for the future!

Scientists say that this may explain why it is more popular to have a big wedding rather than elope,because the bride and groom have an interest in securing future support for their families.

The theories come from Professor Paul Zak,an expert in how hormones affect our ability to trust others.

He took blood samples from bride Linda Geddes and groom Nic Fleming and their guests,before and after the ceremony.

He found that the vows caused levels of oxytocin,the 8221;cuddle chemical8221; that fosters trust,bonding and generosity,to spike among everyone tested.

Geddes,who works at New Scientist,said: 8220;The hypothesis was that we8221;d see a rise in oxytocin during the ceremony and this would be strongest in the bride and groom,our family members and close friends. To my delight OK,relief our hypothesis proved correct.8221;

Zak believes that by bringing people together for a ceremony,it makes them emotionally bond shown by the oxytocin spikes and become well-placed to mediate during fall outs and share the burden of child-rearing.

The research is published in New Scientist.