Weddingbells’ Annual Reader Survey reveals the most recent wedding-day facts and trends from Canadian brides prepping to walk down the aisle. The current economic situation hasn't put a damper on your wedding plans. According to our annual Weddingbells' Reader Survey, the average expected cost of the big day is increasing in 2009.
Over 1,300 of you responded, from Vancouver to St. John's, revealing your thoughts on everything from honeymoons to where he popped the question. Here is a snapshot of some of the results.
(The Weddingbells’ Reader Survey was conducted online from January 24 to February 16, 2009 by Nooro Online Inc. A national sample of 1,344 engaged readers participated in the survey. Confidence interval: +/-2.7%, 19 times out of 20.)
Popping the question
- 48% of grooms asked permission from the father of the bride
- 59% of grooms got down on one knee
- 89% of brides received a ring; 28% of couples picked it out together
- 21% of engagements took place in December (top month)
- Average length of engagement is 18 months
Here comes the bride
- Average age of engaged woman is 29.5
- 75% of couples already live together before getting married
- 89% of grooms won’t see the wedding dress until the big day
- 91% of brides have no qualms about sex before marriage
- 52% of weddings will occur between July and September
- 7% of couples are planning on doing a destination wedding
- 67% of brides will try and use eco-friendly products and services on their wedding day
- Average wedding size is 140
- Expected cost of a wedding is $19,274 (up from $17,300 in 2007 and $19,038 in 2008)
- Budget breakdown based on anticipated costs:
- Reception venue = $7,282
- Bridal gown = $1,083
- Wedding bands = $1,557
- Photographer = $1,682
- Wedding cake = $335
- Florist/Decor = $881
- Transportation/Limo = $569
- DJ/Musicians = $805
- Honeymoon = $3,632
Something old, something new, something...
- 46% of couples foot the bill with their savings, 16% take out loans, 32% rely on family contributions
- 32% find wedding planning to be more stressful than enjoyable
- 36% anticipate having disagreements with their in-laws
- 69% of brides plan to take their fiancé's last name
- 41% think there is nothing wrong with returning a wedding gift for cash
- 22% say a prenup is the way to go
- 75% think their future spouse does his fair share of domestic duties
- 19% have more disagreements with their fiancé since becoming engaged; yet 55% say passion is up
- 22% admit they are not completely over their ex
credit: http://www.weddingbells.ca/results/
