Everyone loves a big wedding and everything that it entails. Weddings, honeymoons, and romantic tourism are big business—and the statistics prove it. If you have ever wondered how your wedding plans compare to the grand scheme of weddings that take place every year then this is going to be an eye-opening read for you. Consider the following research statistics, facts, and figures regarding engagements, weddings, and honeymoons:
Engagement Statistics
- 95% of grooms do the proposing but there has been a steady decline in this number.
- 16 % of proposals in the United States occur in December.
- The average American couple has an engagement that lasts at least 15 months.
- Diamond rings are still the most popular and th average ring costs around $6,000.
- 3 out of 4 couples today live together at least 6 months before they are officially married.
- Only an estimated 10-13% of engagements do not end with a wedding.
Weddings Fun Statistics
- Every year an average number of 2.4 million weddings tak place in the U.S. each year.
- Today’s median age for brides is 29 years. For grooms, it’s 31 years.
- The median age for remarriage is 34 for brides and 37 for grooms.
- $35,000 is the average budget that is spent on a traditional wedding in America.
- Each weekend more than 40,000 weddings are taking place.
- The most popular months for weddings are September and October.
- The average amount spent on a bridal gown is $1,564.
- Only 33% of weddings are held in religious institution, a number that continues to drop.
- 43% of weddings have a friend or family member officiate rather than a professional.
- As many as 23 million bridesmaids and groomsmen are in weddings every year.
- The average number of guests is who attend a wedding each year is 136.
- It is estimated that more than $72 billion is spent on weddings annually in the U.S.
- Weddings are a $50 billion annual industry that is growing more every year.
- In 19% of weddings, the brides’ parents pay for the bulk of the wedding expenses.
- Nearly one-third—32% of brides and grooms—pay for their wedding themselves.
- 15% of couples split wedding costs between themselves and both sets of parents.
Destination Wedding Statistics
- 25 percent of marriages take place in another country- known as destination weddings.
- 340,000 destination weddings are held each year.
- 80% of couples opting for a destination wedding have been divorced at least once.
- The destination wedding market accounts for $16 billion in annual spending.
- The average budget for a destination wedding is $28,000.
- 3% of brides intend to sign a prenuptial agreement.
- 80% of brides plan to change their name after marriage.
The leading destinations for out-of-town ceremonies are: (Figures in parentheses indicate number of weddings performed annually.)
- Las Vegas (80,000)
- Hawaii (20,000)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (5,100)
- Jamaica (5,000)
- Bahamas (4,000)
- Mexico, California, and Florida are also important locations for destination weddings
Statistics on When Weddings Take Place
The most popular months for weddings to take place are, in this order:
- October
- September
- June
- August
- May
- July
- December
- November/April (tie)
- February
- March
- January
Average Honeymoon Length and Other Statistics
- Estimated as many as 1.4 million U.S. couples take a honeymoon trip every year.
- Couples that have a traditional wedding, 99 percent eventually take a honeymoon.
- On average, if one is to be taken the honeymoon is booked 4 months before the wedding.
- The average time a newlywed couple spends on their honeymoon is eight days.
- Couples spend an average of $4,466 on their honeymoon.
- More and more couples take delayed honeymoons months or years after the wedding.
- 75% of couples honeymooned at home in the US or Canada in the last decade.
- Most popular US honeymoon destinations are Hawaii, Florida, California, Nevada.
- Most popular overseas destinations are Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Italy, France.
- Most popular luxury honeymoon destinations are Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific.
- Only 1 in 4 couples go on their dream honeymoon and most opt for more affordable trips.
- 48% of honeymooners still used social media daily while on their honeymoon.
- 57 percent of same-sex couples take a honeymoon after their ceremony
- Hawaii is the preferred destination for honeymoon couples of all sexual orientation.
- As many as 20% of marriages today are interracial marriages.
- It is estimated that 67% of grooms asked the bride’s father for his blessing.
- Fewer couples hold to the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding.
- The average age for couples on their wedding is between 30-35 years.
- 77% of wedding receptions are indoors.
- 80% of brides wear white but these numbers are constantly going down.
- 63%of grooms dress in something more casual than a tuxedo.
- 50%of couples do a bouquet toss.
- 62%of couples create a wedding website.
- 39%of couples create their own vows.
- 40%of wedding parties are now including mixed genders.
- 18% of weddings included ceremonial customs related to race/religion.
- Couples underestimate how much they’ll spend on their wedding by roughly 40%.
Average Cost Break Down for 2017
- CEREMONY/RECEPTION/VENUE $9,000
- CATERING $6,600
- BAND $3,800
- PHOTOGRAPHY $2,400
- REHEARSAL DINNER + ADDITIONAL MEALS $2,000
- VIDEOGRAPHY $1,800
- RINGS $1,800
- EVENT RENTALS AND PHOTOBOOTHS $1,700
- WEDDING PLANNER $1,700
- DRESS $1,700
- FLOWERS $1,700
- LIGHTING AND DÉCOR$ 1,300
- DJ/MUSIC $1,200
- TRANSPORTATION $1,000
- GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS $800
- PARTY ATTIRE $750
- CEREMONY MUSIC/MUSICIAN $600
- WEDDING PARTY GIFTS $600
- INVITATIONS/STATIONERY $560
- CAKE/DESSERTS $550
- HAIR AND MAKEUP $550
- BEAUTY AND HEALTH $500
- FAVORS AND GIFTS $450
- GROOM’S ATTIRE $350
- JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES $350
- OFFICIANT $300
- ENGAGEMENT RINGS $5,000
- HONEYMOONHONEYMOON $4,000
To learn more about planning your own wedding and what the wedding planners here at Cashmere Dreams can do to help you contact us today for a free consultation. We would love the opportunity to work with you and help you plan the perfect event. Contact us today to get started– we look forward to hearing from you!
