And finally… that’s amore

Laura Mesi, 40, from Lissone near Milan spent €10,000 on her solo-wedding.

She told La Repubblica: “I told my relatives and friends that if I had not found my soul mate I would marry myself by my 40th birthday”.

She added that her family had been supportive of her decision, with her initially sceptical brother serving as a celebrant at the ceremony.

Ms Mesi is among a number of people entering into marriages with themselves.

British woman Sophie Tanner, 38, married herself in 2015 and has campaigned for self-marriage to be given legal recognition.

She told the BBC: “Sologamy ,as it’s known, is a growing movement for men and women, with consultants and self-wedding planners popping up all over the world.

“My marriage isn’t legally recognised in the UK, but, for me, it was an important ceremony that demonstrates my commitment to self-compassion.

“I’ve never been that girly girl dreaming of my big day. But, as I started to find myself again following my break-up, I thought, what could be more romantic than to show myself, and everyone else, that I deserve this, the ultimate day? I don’t need to put up with bad men, or to be constantly chasing ‘The One’. Perhaps I am ‘My One’.”