'I do'... but do I really?

As with most things, men and women have very different opinions about what commitment really means.

While most men see marriage as the ultimate gesture, women believe having a baby and buying a house with someone are life's biggest undertakings.

Both sexes are nervous about tying the knot, fearing their relationship will go downhill once they say 'I do'.

But more brides-to-be than potential grooms jilt a partner at the last moment, a poll showed yesterday.

Having a baby comes second on men's list of commitments, followed by buying a home with a partner.

Men have a far more romantic view of marriage than women, the survey found. Three-quarters regard it as a permanent arrangement, compared with just 60 per cent of women.

Most women take as long to decide to open a bank account with their partner as they do to accept his marriage proposal.

Almost half believe marriage is easier to escape from than a mortgage, while just a quarter of men regard buying a home as a permanent commitment.

Aman's biggest fears are feeling trapped and losing control of his finances, the poll by mortgage provider Cheltenham & Gloucester found.