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Civil partnerships for same sex couples have existed since 2005 and earlier this year same sex marriages became legal. There are now calls for heterosexual couples to also be allowed to have civil partnerships. So are opposite sex couples being discriminated against or would opening this relatively new institution be a threat to the sanctity of marriage? Jane speaks to Rebecca Steinfeld and Charlie Keidan a couple who have already announced their forthcoming civil partnership in the hope the law will change. Tim Loughton MP explains why he thinks civil partnerships should be accessible to all. 

Two brides-to-be discuss tendencies toward ‘bridezilla’ behaviour, and why, despite high rates of divorce, many women continue to harbour the notion of their ideal wedding day.  How do they respond to recent research from Interflora suggesting that many women start planning their wedding from the age of 13 and more than half of single women have already planned their wedding before they have found a groom? And how much of traditional marriage ceremonies will they be including in their forthcoming special day?

A new exhibition opened at the V&A at the beginning of this month - Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 - tracing the development of the fashionable white wedding dress and its interpretation by leading couturiers and designers, offering a panorama of fashion over the last two centuries. The exhibition is displayed chronologically over two floors and features over 80 of the most romantic, glamorous and extravagant wedding outfits from the V&A’s collection. The curator Edwina Ehrman accompanies Jane around the display.

Why do we marry? Was there always such a fuss and so much time and money spent? Why do weddings remain so popular despite the high divorce rate?  The numbers have fallen but the ONS says it is expected 42% of couples will permanently separate. What are the main stresses couples face in planning that special day? Jane is joined by author of The English Marriage: Tales of Love, Money and Adultery, Maureen Waller and wedding planner/ agony aunt, Sarah Haywood.

We asked listeners to write in with their wedding day experiences and here are Cath, Terry, and Lynne telling us their stories of marrying Tom, Christine, and Bill.