Whether it's getting engaged around the holidays when family is coming together (19% of proposals happen in December) or inviting loved ones to witness the actual proposal or party with you after, today's millennial couples are opting to make their engagement a highly shared experience. And even if the moment is a private one (nearly 1 in 3 engagements take place at home) the reality is a picture, story, view of the ring – or all the above – will be shared on social media for all to see within a few hours.
Engagement Ring
-
$5000
cost of
engagement ring -
20%
pick out ring
together -
71%
diamond as
main stone -
1 in 2
purchase ring <2 months before proposing
-
50%
purchase from brick-and-mortar store
Top Engagement Dates
Christmas Day continues to be the most popular day to get engaged, with 7 out of the top 10 most popular days to get engaged taking place in December.
Did you know? The majority of couples are engaged for over a year, with the average engagement length lasting 14 months.
The Proposal
-
64%
share their engagement on social media within a few hours
-
52%
send a photo of their ring to loved ones after getting engaged
-
31%
of proposals happen at home
-
26%
invite friends/family to witness proposal
Couples' love affair with fall continues, as nearly 40% of all weddings take place during these three months. In looking at couples who got engaged in 2018 and set a date to get married in 2019, October is looking to be another popular month to tie the knot.
Top 5 Wedding Dates in 2019
- 1 October 19
- 2 September 14
- 3 May 4
- 4 October 12
- 5 October 5
- 1 October 20
- 2 October 6
- 3 September 22
- 4 May 19
- 5 October 13
- 1 October 7
- 2 October 14
- 3 September 30
- 4 October 21
- 5 November 11
- 1 October 22
- 2 October 15
- 3 October 8
- 4 November 5
- 5 September 24
2019 Wedding Month Distribution
2019 dates based on couples engaged in 2018 who set a wedding date in 2019
Millennials, who are often referred to as the 'instant gratification' generation, make no exception when it comes to wedding planning. Not only are the majority of millennials doing recon on their wedding PRIOR to getting engaged, but right off the bat they're looking for checklists, budget tools and help on where to start in order to be efficient in the planning process. This generation (who accounts for 80% of today's marrying couples) is driven to get things done with a digital-first mindset (think: planning on mobile apps, researching vendors and even utilizing digital RSVPs to name a few).
take at least 1 wedding planning action prior to getting engaged
Top Pre-Eng Actions Among Millennials
-
35%
look at wedding dresses/attire online
-
30%
create a Pinterest board for inspiration
-
25%
research venues
Where is Planning Done
On average, couples spend nearly 2 hours a week planning their wedding and spend 80% of their time planning online. When looking at online planning behaviors based on time of day, mobile usage peaks from 9PM – midnight after couples are home from work and often multi-tasking, though Sunday is also a popular planning day on mobile.
-
39%
plan on mobile
-
41%
plan on desktop/laptop
What Are People Searching For
+
WeddingWire partnered with Google to glean insights into what couples most often search for when they begin wedding planning. Results show that couples simply don't know where to start, which is also one of the top reasons they join WeddingWire.
-
how to start planning a wedding
-
how to start a wedding planning business
-
how to start wedding planning
-
where to start when planning a wedding
Source: Google 2018
What else are couples searching for on Google when it comes to weddings? It's no surprise that searches for checklists, venues and budgets come to the top as determining a budget, finding vendors and knowing you're on the right track are some of the biggest challenges couples say they face during the planning process.
Plus, another trend they've spotted is using the search term "near me" on mobile – proving the importance of shopping local to create that personal experience. In the last year alone, dress-related searches that include the term "near me" on mobile has increased by 600%!
-
1
wedding planner (or planning)
-
2
wedding checklist
-
3
christmas wedding planner
-
4
how to plan a wedding
-
5
wedding venue near me
-
6
wedding timeline
-
7
wedding planning timeline
-
8
wedding budget
-
9
wedding planners near me
-
10
wedding coordinator
Source: Google 2018
Who is Doing the Planning
Forty percent of couples start to plan their wedding less than 1 month after getting engaged. Their first actions include setting a date, researching venues and determining a budget.
-
27%
hire a wedding planner, with day-of-planners being the most popular type.
-
54% bride +
-
25% groom +
-
14% parents +
-
7% other
-
= 100% planned!
(based on females in heterosexual relationship)
What Couples Look For When Finding Vendors
Aside from price, reviews and photos are the most important features couples look at when deciding which vendors to initially contact. In fact, nearly 80% of couples find reviews to be very important in their decision making process and are more likely to consider a vendor with both positive and negative reviews than no reviews at all.
- 1 price
- 2 reviews
- 3 photos
- 4 availability
- 5 responsiveness
- 6 location
Role of Tech Throughout Wedding
In just a few short years, the role technology has played in the planning process has greatly evolved. Today, nearly 3 out of 4 couples create wedding websites to share information with their guests (up 15% in the last 3 years) while more than half are creating a wedding hashtag for social sharing (up nearly 10% since 2015).
- Create a Website 74%
- Use a Planning App 66%
- Use Pinterest for Inspiration 64%
- Offer Online RSVPs 54%
- Set Up Hashtag 53%
Top Vendors Hired
On average, couples hire 14 vendors for their wedding day.
-
90%
photography
-
86%
venue
-
80%
hair & makeup
-
78%
wedding dress
-
76%
cake
-
74%
flowers
-
72%
DJ
Individuals are continuing to get married later in life (average age 33) due to prioritizing other aspects such as education, careers and even travel. Often times these major milestones include exposure to a new city and meeting new people, which is why it comes as no surprise that nearly 6 out of 10 newlyweds marry someone with a different background. While all couples are unique, the blending of these backgrounds is something that couples often highlight in their wedding through ceremonial traditions, food and even décor.
Couple's Journey to Finding The One
- 23% met through friends
- 55% dated 2+ years
- 72% lived together
- 35% owned a pet together
- 54% discussed finances
Today's Couples by the Numbers
Although every couple has its own identity, we see that race, sexual orientation and/or cultural roots can create similarities among newlyweds of similar backgrounds. For instance, Asian brides are less likely to wear white than the national average, and while the size of LGBTQ weddings continues to increase (now 110), the number of wedding party members remains a bit smaller than the average wedding.
-
33
37
32
32
32
34
45
30
average age of couple
-
126
133
219
125
119
110
100
132
average number of guests
-
10
11
10
9
9
8
7
10
number of wedding party members
-
67%
51%
67%
70%
64%
49%
40%
74%
asked for parents' blessing
-
80%
77%
43%
83%
74%
60%
74%
81%
changed last name
-
82%
63%
67%
86%
81%
69%
67%
86%
at least one wore white
Calculations based on partners with equal identifiers (i.e., same reported race).
Gen X: 1961-1981, Millennials: 1982-1996
Although weddings are all about celebrating the happy couple, couples themselves and their planning behavior show us that guest experience is just as important! From starting the day in matching 'getting ready attire' (hello, bridesmaid perk) to interactive food stations and unique entertainment (palm reading anyone?) it's all about impressing guests from start to finish and creating a night to remember.
Follow the timeline of events below to see how couples are personalizing their wedding day and incorporating new and time-honored traditions.
Wedding Party
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- 65% of couples get ready with their wedding party
- 60% of couples have a ring bearer and/or flower girl
- 55% of bridesmaids get hair/makeup done by a professional
- 34% have a mixed-gender wedding party (ex. man of honor)
- 28% do a pre-wedding activity together (ex. golf)
-
63%
of bridesmaids wear different dresses ( +18% since 2015)
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
Ceremony
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- 77% of fathers escort one or both down aisle
- 70% of ceremonies are 30 minutes or less
- 64% include a reading during the ceremony
- 44% of couples write their own vows
- 25% held in a religious institution
- 17% include customs related to race/religion
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
Reception
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- 79% incorporate their wedding colors into their florals
- 52% incorporate a wedding theme into their décor
- 47% of couples give a speech during their reception
- 36% display a wedding hashtag for guests to share images on social media
- 22% add elements based on where couples met or grew up (ex. décor, cuisine)
-
Most popular tradition!
92% of couples have a first dance
(fun fact: nearly 1 in 4 dance to a country song!)
Food & Drinks
-
84%
do a cake-cutting ceremony
-
76%
have an open bar
-
28%
have a signature cocktail (vodka being the most popular spirit)
-
24%
serve late night snacks
-
18%
have an interactive food station (ex. oyster bar, crepe station)
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
Guest Experience
-
69%
hand out favors (food is most popular)
-
25%
have a photobooth at their reception
-
25%
host a post-wedding after party
-
15%
hire unique entertainment (ex. fortune teller, wine tasting, etc)
-
14%
provide guests with transportation
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
- •
On average, couples underestimate their wedding ceremony and reception budget by nearly 45%. While this may come as a surprise, 1 in 3 couples acknowledge that their inital budget is not always the most realistic and more of a starting-point (as it's often set before making some major decisions like location, venue, guest size, etc.). Sixty-five percent of couples go on to create a more detailed budget as they become educated on vendor expenses, but often times it's the personalized details and extra upgrades that contibuted to a higher overall spend. Today, couples are spending nearly $30,000 which is roughly $230 per guest.
All In Average Wedding Cost
-
$5,000
Engagement Ring
- +
-
$29,200
Ceremony/Reception
- +
-
$4,500
Honeymoon
- =
=$38,700
Total Wedding Cost
Budget
Why the difference? Nearly 80% of couples set a rough budget prior to researching any vendors – often times under-estimating the cost of products and services.
Why Couples (Often) Spend More
-
33%
Initial budget was set lower than reality
-
28%
Fell in love with things "we needed to have" during planning
-
25%
Added custom/personalized elements
-
24%
Guest count changed
-
21%
Opted for upgrades (ex. 2nd shooter, top shelf bar)
Variation in Spend
Just like couples, no two weddings are alike, and cost can easily fluctuate based on factors like age, who's paying and whether you consider your wedding to be a destination. In fact, 1 in 4 couples consider their wedding to be 'a type of destination wedding'; meaning it isn't taking place in either of their hometowns or where they currently live.
Calculations based on partners with equal identifiers (i.e., age, marriage #, etc.)
2018 Average Wedding Cost by Category
| Ceremony/Reception | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Venue | $9,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| Catering | $6,700 | $6,600 | $6,700 |
| Band | $3,900 | $3,800 | $3,700 |
| Photography | $2,400 | $2,400 | $2,400 |
| Wedding rings | $1,900 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Wedding planner | $1,850 | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Rehearsal dinner + additional meals |
$1,800 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Videography | $1,800 | $1,800 | $1,700 |
| Flowers | $1,800 | $1,700 | $1,800 |
| Event rentals and photobooths | $1,700 | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Dress | $1,700 | $1,700 | $1,600 |
| Lighting and Décor | $1,400 | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| DJ | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Transportation | $1,050 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Wedding party attire | $800 | $750 | $700 |
| Hair and makeup | $650 | $550 | $500 |
| Ceremony music/musician | $600 | $600 | $600 |
| Wedding party gifts | $600 | $600 | $600 |
| Invitations/stationery | $550 | $560 | $606 |
| Cake/desserts | $550 | $550 | $500 |
| Beauty and Health | $550 | $500 | $500 |
| Favors and gifts | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| Groom's attire | $400 | $350 | $300 |
| Jewelry | $300 | $350 | $350 |
| Officiant | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Engagement | |||
| Engagement Rings | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Honeymoon | |||
| Honeymoon | $4,500 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
2018 Average Wedding Cost in 25 Largest Metro Areas
| City and Surrounding Metro Area | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| New York + surrounding metro area, NY |
$50,000 | $45,000 | $48,000 |
| San Francisco - Oakland, CA | $40,000 | $36,000 | $40,000 |
| Washington, DC | $39,000 | $34,000 | $35,000 |
| Boston, MA | $38,000 | $37,000 | $36,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $37,000 | $34,000 | $35,000 |
| Baltimore, MD | $35,000 | $33,000 | $31,000 |
| Houston, TX | $33,000 | $28,000 | $29,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $33,000 | $33,000 | $33,000 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $33,000 | $32,000 | $34,000 |
| Detroit, MI | $29,000 | $26,000 | $26,000 |
| Dallas - Ft. Worth, TX | $30,000 | $25,000 | $24,000 |
| Hartford - New Haven, CT | $30,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Denver, CO | $28,000 | $23,000 | $24,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $27,000 | $26,000 | $24,000 |
| Charlotte, NC | $27,000 | $24,000 | $22,000 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $27,000 | $26,000 | $23,000 |
| Raleigh-Durham, NC | $27,000 | $26,000 | $25,000 |
| San Diego, CA | $27,000 | $29,000 | $29,000 |
| Orlando - Daytona Beach, FL | $26,000 | $25,000 | $22,000 |
| Sacramento - Stockton, CA | $26,000 | $25,000 | $23,000 |
| Seattle - Tacoma, WA | $25,000 | $22,000 | $23,000 |
| Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN | $23,000 | $22,000 | $23,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $23,000 | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Tampa - St. Petersburg, FL | $23,000 | $25,000 | $24,000 |
| Cleveland, OH | $22,000 | $23,000 | $22,000 |
About WeddingWire's 2019 Newlywed Report
The 2019 Newlywed Report is primarily based on WeddingWire's Newlywed Survey – the largest survey of 2018 weddings in the industry (N=18,395). The data is collected from WeddingWire's annual Newlywed Survey, distributed to WeddingWire.com couples married between January 1st and December 31st, 2018. Respondents represent couples from all over the country with various ethnicities, income levels, race, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. To provide the most comprehensive view of research collected, WeddingWire has also included findings from ad hoc studies conducted in 2018, as well as behavioral data analyzed by the company's own team of data scientists. In a typical year, WeddingWire conducts research with more than 150,000 US brides, grooms, guests and wedding professionals.
-
Lauren Goodson
Director of Insights
-
Kirsten Francis
Senior Market Insights Manager
