2017 Newlywed Report What's Inside METHODOLOGY

This report is primarily based on WeddingWire's 2016 Newlywed Survey - the largest survey PART 1 PART 5 of 2016 weddings in the industry (N=13,100). The data collected from our annual Newlywed Survey is distributed to WeddingWire.com couples married between January 1st and Pre-Engagement Today’s Couples December 31st, 2016. Respondents represent couples from all over the country with various GETTING THE RING 5 UNDERSTANDING ALL COUPLES 13 ethnicities, income levels and sexual orientation. To provide the most comprehensive view of research collected, WeddingWire has also included findings from ad hoc studies POPPING THE QUESTION 5 COMPARING SAME-SEX NUANCES 13 conducted in 2016 as well as behavioral data analyzed by our own team of data scientists. In a typical year, WeddingWire conducts research with more than 150,000 brides, grooms, guests and wedding professionals. PART 2 PART 6 Engagement Wedding Ceremony CELEBRATING THE MOMENT 7 DRESSING THE PART 15

CHOOSING A DATE TO WED 7 WALKING DOWN THE AISLE 15

NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MARKET INSIGHTS PART 3 PART 7 “Welcome to WeddingWire's 2017 Newlywed Report - your source Wedding Prep Wedding Celebrations for the latest wedding stats. The fundamentals of wedding planning STARTING TO PLAN 9 CELEBRATING THE MARRIAGE 17 have generally stayed the same over the last few years (i.e. couples continue to book vendors, use planning tools and look for expert RELYING ON MOBILE 9 LEAVING FOR THE HONEYMOON 17 advice). The average, national wedding cost has remained stable UTILIZING ONLINE RESOURCES 9 at around $28,000 (or $240 per guest) and first dances continue to be the most popular tradition. However, online tools have evolved to help Millennials get started planning and stay organized (note: 80% PART 4 PART 8 of today's marrying couples are in this generation). And we have seen some shifts in the last year: couples spend 50% of their time Wedding Vendors Overall Spend planning from a smartphone (up from 30% in 2016), bridesmaids are more likely to wear mix and match dresses, and fall weddings have SEARCHING FOR VENDORS 11 CALCULATING THE TOTAL COST 19 grown in popularity. We can't wait to see what's in store for 2017!” HIRING THE TEAM 11 PAYING FOR THE WEDDING 19 Andy Whittaker DISCOVERING VARIATIONS IN SPEND 19 Director of Market Insights WeddingWire What's Inside METHODOLOGY

CHOOSING A DATE TO WED 7 WALKING DOWN THE AISLE 15

Getting THE RING

$5000 36% 42% 58% 70% average engagement spend 2-months pick out engagement try on engagement ask parents for ring cost salary on ring ring together rings prior their blessing

THE QUESTION ENGAGEMENT BY MONTH

Popping

PART

• In 2016, 15% of all engagements happened on

E F

D E

the same 10 days

% 1

1 %

•

18% of all engagements occurred in the

V %

month of December N %

•

12% hire photographer for proposal %

M %

% Y

• 91% of opposite-sex couples exchange one ring 6

E %

during the proposal, while the majority of same-sex %

J 9

% U

couples exchange two engagement rings N

A J U L 1 TOP 10 DATES TO GET ENGAGED IN 2016

Christmas Day (12/25) Day before Valentine’s Day (2/13)

Valentine’s Day (2/14) December 17th (Saturday before Christmas Eve)

Christmas Eve (12/24) December 10th (2 Saturdays before Christmas Eve)

New Year’s Day (1/1) December 23rd

New Year’s Eve (12/31) Independence Day (7/4)

5 Roughly 40% of engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, with December being the most popular. Six out of the 10 top engagement dates fall in December, with Christmas Day being the #1 day to pop the question.

Getting THE RING

$5000 36% 42% 58% 70% average engagement spend 2-months pick out engagement try on engagement ask parents for ring cost salary on ring ring together rings prior their blessing

THE QUESTION ENGAGEMENT BY MONTH

Popping

PART

• In 2016, 15% of all engagements happened on

E F

D E

the same 10 days

% 1

1 %

•

18% of all engagements occurred in the

V %

month of December N %

•

12% hire photographer for proposal %

M %

% Y

• 91% of opposite-sex couples exchange one ring 6

E %

during the proposal, while the majority of same-sex %

J 9

% U

couples exchange two engagement rings N

A J U L 1 TOP 10 DATES TO GET ENGAGED IN 2016

Christmas Day (12/25) Day before Valentine’s Day (2/13)

Valentine’s Day (2/14) December 17th (Saturday before Christmas Eve)

Christmas Eve (12/24) December 10th (2 Saturdays before Christmas Eve)

New Year’s Day (1/1) December 23rd

New Year’s Eve (12/31) Independence Day (7/4)

5 On average couples are engaged for 13 months and while engagement celebrations may occur, couples waste no time selecting a wedding date. The most popular month to get married in 2016 was October, with the 3 most popular days being Saturdays in October.

Celebrating THE MOMENT

25% 64% 62% 25% invite family/ friends to witness announce their take engagement have an and/ or celebrate proposal engagement on photos engagement party immediately afterwards social media

PART MOST POPULAR MONTHS TO WED Choosing A DATE TO WED JAN 3% • Roughly 40% of couples are engaged FEB 3% 10 – 15 months, with the average being MAR 4% APR 8%

13 months MAY 10%

JUN 12% • 71% of couples wed between May and JUL 11% October, with fall becoming increasingly AUG 10% SEPT 13%

popular OCT 15%

NOV 6%

DEC • Twenty-two dates make up 50% of all 5% weddings in 2016 - all Saturdays 2 TOP 5 MOST POPULAR WEDDING DATES IN 2016 • 20% of couples select a wedding date that has a special meaning to them/ their partner

Need help picking your future wedding date? Use WeddingWire’s Wedding Date Calendar to see what popular dates, holidays, and events could impact your decision.

7 On average couples are engaged for 13 months and while engagement celebrations may occur, couples waste no time selecting a wedding date. The most popular month to get married in 2016 was October, with the 3 most popular days being Saturdays in October.

Celebrating THE MOMENT

25% 64% 62% 25% invite family/ friends to witness announce their take engagement have an and/ or celebrate proposal engagement on photos engagement party immediately afterwards social media

PART MOST POPULAR MONTHS TO WED Choosing A DATE TO WED JAN 3% • Roughly 40% of couples are engaged FEB 3% 10 – 15 months, with the average being MAR 4% APR 8%

13 months MAY 10%

JUN 12% • 71% of couples wed between May and JUL 11% October, with fall becoming increasingly AUG 10% SEPT 13%

popular OCT 15%

NOV 6%

Need help picking your future wedding date? Use WeddingWire’s Wedding Date Calendar to see what popular dates, holidays, and events could impact your decision.

7 Today’s couples are tech-savvy and constantly planning on-the-go, at work or multitasking from their mobile devices. From planning apps and budget trackers to wedding websites and hashtags, technology has greatly influenced the planning process.

Starting TO PLAN TOP 5 BIGGEST CHALLENGES • 50% start planning within 1 month of getting engaged

• 52% have secret Pinterest board prior to engagement

• 65% mail traditional save-the-date cards; PART which is down 9% from last year Relying ON MOBILE Wedding Planner by WeddingWire helps • 50% of planning is done from smartphone/ couples stay organized, create a budget, search for tablet device vendors and more. • 1 – 2 hrs/day spent wedding planning on mobile

• 1/3 rd of couples use at least one wedding planning app

3 ONLINE RESOURCES Utilizing

• 66% use an online wedding checklist TOP 5 PLANNING TOOLS USED

• Nearly 70% of millennial couples create a Wedding Planning Checklist Guest list organizer wedding website Photo/ inspiration boards Budget tracker • Over 65% of couples access Facebook & Pinterest at least weekly to help with Wedding website builder planning

9 Today’s couples are tech-savvy and constantly planning on-the-go, at work or multitasking from their mobile devices. From planning apps and budget trackers to wedding websites and hashtags, technology has greatly influenced the planning process.

Starting TO PLAN TOP 5 BIGGEST CHALLENGES • 50% start planning within 1 month of getting engaged

• 52% have secret Pinterest board prior to engagement

• 1/3 rd of couples use at least one wedding planning app

3 ONLINE RESOURCES Utilizing

• 66% use an online wedding checklist TOP 5 PLANNING TOOLS USED

9 The average couple spends hours researching vendors online to ultimately hire around a dozen for their wedding day. Due to the wide selection, couples focus their attention on wedding professionals who provide information upfront (think: pricing, reviews) and communicate in a timely fashion.

SEQUENCE OF VENDOR RESEARCH (MONTHS TO WED) Searching FOR VENDORS *Based on 12 month engagement Venue 11.1

Wedding Planning 10.0

Catering 9.1

Photography 9.1 1 in 4 60% Dress 8.6 search for vendors prefer email to first DJ 8.4 on smartphone contact vendor Band 8.3 Videography 8.3

Flowers 7.6

PART 7.6

Ceremony Music 6.5

Wedding Cake 6.2 88% 87% Event Rentals & Photobooths 5.1 want to see price read reviews when Invitations 4.6 before reaching out searching for vendors Rehearsal Dinner Location 3.4 Beauty & Health 3.3 Transportation 3.2

Favors & Gifts 1.9 Hiring THE TEAM

• On average, couples hire 13 vendors TOP 6 WEDDING PROS HIRED

4 • 56% of couples only consider booking vendors they can find on social media 84% 79% 72% • 84% hire a photographer for their wedding Photography Reception Venue Hair and Makeup (most hired pro)

• About 40% expect at least weekly communication with their vendors, especially 71% 70% 70% with planners, venues and photographers Dress Flowers Cake/Desserts

11 The average couple spends hours researching vendors online to ultimately hire around a dozen for their wedding day. Due to the wide selection, couples focus their attention on wedding professionals who provide information upfront (think: pricing, reviews) and communicate in a timely fashion.

SEQUENCE OF VENDOR RESEARCH (MONTHS TO WED) Searching FOR VENDORS *Based on 12 month engagement Venue 11.1

Wedding Planning 10.0

Catering 9.1

Photography 9.1 1 in 4 60% Dress 8.6 search for vendors prefer email to first DJ 8.4 on smartphone contact vendor Band 8.3 Videography 8.3

Flowers 7.6

PART 7.6

Ceremony Music 6.5

Favors & Gifts 1.9 Hiring THE TEAM

• On average, couples hire 13 vendors TOP 6 WEDDING PROS HIRED

4 • 56% of couples only consider booking vendors they can find on social media 84% 79% 72% • 84% hire a photographer for their wedding Photography Reception Venue Hair and Makeup (most hired pro)

• About 40% expect at least weekly communication with their vendors, especially 71% 70% 70% with planners, venues and photographers Dress Flowers Cake/Desserts

11 Data shows that the average age has continued to increase over the past few decades and smaller guest count allows for a more intimate and personalized day. Furthermore, we continue to see an increase in mixed gender parties – a trend that was initially inspired by LGBTQ couples. Understanding ALL COUPLES

30 32 124 84% 79% average age average age average number get married within take partner’s of bride of groom of guests 50 miles of the city in last name PART which they live Comparing SAME-SEX NUANCES TOP 5 TRENDS • Same-sex couples skew older than the national average; females are 33 whereas males are 38

• 45% of same-sex couples have a joint proposal

• 1 in 3 ask their partner’s parents for their blessing

• Less than half of same-sex couples take 5 their partner’s last name

TODAY’S COUPLES (BY THE #S) SAME-SEX OPPOSITE-SEX

Engagement length 14 months 13 months

# of wedding party members 7 9

Wedding party divided by gender 14% 69%

# of guests 100 124

Vendors hired 11 13

Rhinehart Photography 13 Data shows that the average age has continued to increase over the past few decades and smaller guest count allows for a more intimate and personalized day. Furthermore, we continue to see an increase in mixed gender parties – a trend that was initially inspired by LGBTQ couples. Understanding ALL COUPLES

• 45% of same-sex couples have a joint proposal

• 1 in 3 ask their partner’s parents for their blessing

• Less than half of same-sex couples take 5 their partner’s last name

TODAY’S COUPLES (BY THE #S) SAME-SEX OPPOSITE-SEX

Engagement length 14 months 13 months

# of wedding party members 7 9

Wedding party divided by gender 14% 69%

# of guests 100 124

Vendors hired 11 13

Rhinehart Photography 13 While some of the most popular traditions of 2016, such as wearing white on your wedding day, are tried and true, others like doing a “first look” have become increasingly popular over the years. Despite what trends couples choose to incorporate into their wedding, the pressure to make the day “perfect” consumes nearly 2 out of 3 brides.

Dressing THE PART TOP 5 TRENDS • 84% at least one person wears white Wedding Gowns Men’s Formalwear

• 60% grooms dress in a suit or more casual Sleeves Tweed suits/vests

• 70% wear something old, new, borrowed and blue Mixed lace Feather bow ties High necks Gray and burgundy • 46% of bridesmaids wear the same dress PART Off the shoulder Floral neckties Visit WedInsights.com to get the latest stats and trends on men’s suits and tuxedos, bridesmaid dresses, and dozens of other topics.

Walking DOWN THE AISLE • 45% of couples do a “first look” prior to REASONS BRIDES FEEL PRESSURED

the ceremony Impress guests

• 3 out of 4 fathers escorts one/both of Have 'picture the couple down the aisle perfect' photos

63% Live up to the ideals set forth by feel Pinterest / media • 36% of couples create their own vows pressured 6 Compete with recent weddings • 63% of brides say they feel pressured to have the “perfect wedding” Make parents / financial contributors happy

TOP CEREMONY TRENDS

Wedding Reception Fewer readings Creative signage Vow notebooks

Lacey Gabrielle Photography 15 While some of the most popular traditions of 2016, such as wearing white on your wedding day, are tried and true, others like doing a “first look” have become increasingly popular over the years. Despite what trends couples choose to incorporate into their wedding, the pressure to make the day “perfect” consumes nearly 2 out of 3 brides.

Dressing THE PART TOP 5 TRENDS • 84% at least one person wears white Wedding Gowns Men’s Formalwear

• 60% grooms dress in a suit or more casual Sleeves Tweed suits/vests

Walking DOWN THE AISLE • 45% of couples do a “first look” prior to REASONS BRIDES FEEL PRESSURED

the ceremony Impress guests

• 3 out of 4 fathers escorts one/both of Have 'picture the couple down the aisle perfect' photos

TOP CEREMONY TRENDS

Wedding Reception Fewer readings Creative signage Vow notebooks

Lacey Gabrielle Photography 15

The wedding reception is where couples pull out the “WOW” factor to impress guests, through food, décor, music and all the little details that make it a memorable event. In fact, 1 in 4 couples incorporate at least 5 unique details into their reception (ex. signature cocktails, local food truck, hand-crafted favors, etc). If that’s not enough to coordinate, the majority of couples leave for their honeymoon within a month of getting married. Celebrating THE MARRIAGE

#1 Wedding Tradition! 87% 84% 2 out of 3 54% 50% of couples perform cake-cutting hand out favors provide dessert incorporate a PART first dance ceremony other than cake “theme” into decor

50% 47% 34% 27% 1 in 4 serve buffet style have display wedding have sparkler exit have a signature dinner bouquet toss hashtag cocktail FOR THE HONEYMOON Leaving • 52% of couples start planning their honeymoon • 2/3rds of honeymoons occur between May within six months of their wedding date and October

• The majority of couples go on their honeymoon • Average cost is around $4,000, with for 7-9 days accommodations taking up the highest 7 portion of the budget (28%) HONEYMOON COST BREAKDOWN

Accommodation 28% Airfare/Travel 23% Food/Drinks 21% Activities 19% Other 9%

$200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 17

#1 Wedding Tradition! 87% 84% 2 out of 3 54% 50% of couples perform cake-cutting hand out favors provide dessert incorporate a PART first dance ceremony other than cake “theme” into decor

• The majority of couples go on their honeymoon • Average cost is around $4,000, with for 7-9 days accommodations taking up the highest 7 portion of the budget (28%) HONEYMOON COST BREAKDOWN

Accommodation 28% Airfare/Travel 23% Food/Drinks 21% Activities 19% Other 9%

$200 $400 $600 $800 $1,000 17 The average wedding ceremony/reception costs nearly $30,000, and is greater by $15K (or more) in large metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco. Age, gender of the couple and whether it’s a first marriage also plays a factor in total spend - and who foots the majority of the bill. Calculating THE TOTAL COST

• The average wedding ceremony/reception costs AVERAGE WEDDING COST $28,000 but raises to $37,000 when you factor in all components, such as honeymoon and engagement ring

• Couples tend to underestimate how much they’ll spend + + on their wedding by about 40% ENGAGEMENT RING CEREMONY/RECEPTION HONEYMOON $5,000 $28,000 $4,000 • More than 60% of the budget goes towards catering, PART venue, music and photography/videography $37,000 Paying FOR THE WEDDING

WHO PAYS FOR ALL/ MAJORITY OF WEDDING • Slightly more than 50% of millennial couples have all/ the majority of their wedding paid for by their parents All Same-Sex Millennials Gen X

Couple 44% 61% 37% 63% • Over 60% of same-sex couples continue to pay for the majority of their wedding, but are receiving more Parents 46% 34% 52% 31% financial help from family/friends than in years past Other 10% 5% 11% 69%

• Gen X is the largest segment to pay for all/majority of the wedding on their own 8 Discovering VARIATIONS IN SPEND TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES TO • Millennials spend on average $31,000 on their wedding, GET MARRIED whereas GenX spends $24,000 New York City • While same-sex couples spend approximately $26,000 on their wedding, this can be attributed to smaller guest San Francisco sizes - they still spend about the same per guest as opposite-sex couples Boston

• Couples getting married for the 1st time spend Washington D.C. approximately $30,000 on their wedding, approximately $10K more than 2nd+ marriages Chicago

19 The average wedding ceremony/reception costs nearly $30,000, and is greater by $15K (or more) in large metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco. Age, gender of the couple and whether it’s a first marriage also plays a factor in total spend - and who foots the majority of the bill. Calculating THE TOTAL COST

• The average wedding ceremony/reception costs AVERAGE WEDDING COST $28,000 but raises to $37,000 when you factor in all components, such as honeymoon and engagement ring

Paying FOR THE WEDDING

WHO PAYS FOR ALL/ MAJORITY OF WEDDING • Slightly more than 50% of millennial couples have all/ the majority of their wedding paid for by their parents All Same-Sex Millennials Gen X

Couple 44% 61% 37% 63% • Over 60% of same-sex couples continue to pay for

Parents 46% 34% 52% 31% the majority of their wedding, but are receiving more financial help from family/friends than in years past Other 10% 5% 11% 6%

• Gen X is the largest segment to pay for all/majority of the wedding on their own

Discovering VARIATIONS IN SPEND TOP 5 MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES TO • Millennials spend on average $31,000 on their wedding, GET MARRIED whereas GenX spends $24,000 New York City • While same-sex couples spend approximately $26,000 on their wedding, this can be attributed to smaller guest San Francisco sizes - they still spend about the same per guest as opposite-sex couples Boston

• Couples getting married for the 1st time spend Washington D.C. approximately $30,000 on their wedding, approximately $10K more than 2nd+ marriages Chicago

19 2016 AVERAGE WEDDING COSTS BY CATEGORY AVERAGE WEDDING COST (CEREMONY + RECEPTION) IN 30 LARGEST METRO + SURROUNDING AREA MARKETS

Ceremony/Reception 2016 AVERAGE COSTS 2015 AVERAGE COSTS CITY 2016 VENUE (CEREMONY AND/OR RECEPTION) $9,000 $8,800 NEW YORK, NY $47,700

CATERING $6,700 $6,900 SAN FRANCISCO - OAKLAND, CA $40,200

BAND $3,700 $3,800 BOSTON, MA $36,300

PHOTOGRAPHY $2,400 $2,400 WASHINGTON, DC $35,200

REHEARSAL DINNER AND ADDITIONAL MEALS $2,000 $1,900 CHICAGO, IL $35,000

FLOWERS $1,800 $1,800 PHILADELPHIA, PA $34,400

WEDDING RINGS $1,800 $1,800 LOS ANGELES, CA $33,100

VIDEOGRAPHY $1,700 $1,700 BALTIMORE, MD $31,000

WEDDING PLANNER $1,700 $1,600 MIAMI - FT. LAUDERDALE, FL $30,800 EVENT RENTALS (E.G. LINENS, CHAIRS, TENTS, ETC.) $1,700 $1,700 HOUSTON, TX $29,400 WEDDING DRESS $1,600 $1,700 SAN DIEGO, CA $28,600 LIGHTING & DECOR $1,300 $1,300 HARTFORD - NEW HAVEN, CT $27,200 DJ $1,200 $1,100 DETROIT, MI $26,000 TRANSPORTATION $1,000 $900 AUSTIN, TX $25,700 WEDDING PARTY ATTIRE $700 $700 RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC $24,800 GUEST ACCOMODATIONS $700 $600 DENVER, CO $24,300 CEREMONY MUSIC/MUSICIANS $600 $500 TAMPA - ST. PETERSBURG, FL $24,200 INVITATIONS/STATIONARY $600 $600 ATLANTA, GA $24,000 WEDDING PARTY GIFTS $600 $600 DALLAS - FT. WORTH, TX $24,000 CAKE/DESSERTS $500 $500 PITTSBURG, PA $23,400 HAIR AND MAKEUP $500 $500 SACRAMENTO - STOCKTON, CA $23,200 FAVORS AND GIFTS $450 $450

JEWELRY (NOT RINGS) $350 $350 SEATTLE - TACOMA, WA $23,100

GROOM'S ATTIRE $350 $300 MINNEAPOLIS - ST. PAUL, MN $23,000

OFFICIANT $300 $300 NASHVILLE, TN $22,800

ST. LOUIS, MO $22,500 Engagement CLEVELAND, OH $22,400 ENGAGEMENT RINGS $5,000 $5,000 ORLANDO - DAYTONA BEACH, FL $22,100 Honeymoon CHARLOTTE, NC $22,000 HONEYMOON $4,000 $4,000 PHOENIX, AZ $21,700

MILWAUKEE, WI $21,000

16 21 2016 AVERAGE WEDDING COSTS BY CATEGORY AVERAGE WEDDING COST (CEREMONY + RECEPTION) IN 30 LARGEST METRO + SURROUNDING AREA MARKETS

CITY 2016

NEW YORK, NY $47,700

SAN FRANCISCO - OAKLAND, CA $40,200

BOSTON, MA $36,300

WASHINGTON, DC $35,200

CHICAGO, IL $35,000

PHILADELPHIA, PA $34,400

LOS ANGELES, CA $33,100

BALTIMORE, MD $31,000

MIAMI - FT. LAUDERDALE, FL $30,800

HOUSTON, TX $29,400

SAN DIEGO, CA $28,600

HARTFORD - NEW HAVEN, CT $27,200

DETROIT, MI $26,000

AUSTIN, TX $25,700

RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC $24,800

DENVER, CO $24,300

TAMPA - ST. PETERSBURG, FL $24,200

ATLANTA, GA $24,000

DALLAS - FT. WORTH, TX $24,000

PITTSBURGH, PA $23,400

SACRAMENTO - STOCKTON, CA $23,200

SEATTLE - TACOMA, WA $23,100

MINNEAPOLIS - ST. PAUL, MN $23,000

NASHVILLE, TN $22,800

ST. LOUIS, MO $22,500

CLEVELAND, OH $22,400

ORLANDO - DAYTONA BEACH, FL $22,100

CHARLOTTE, NC $22,000

PHOENIX, AZ $21,700

MILWAUKEE, WI $21,000

21 Wedding Details Not to Forget

Find a ceremony/reception venue

Start your registry

Research catering and photography

Select your wedding dress Announce your engagement

Choose a color scheme Research wedding songs

Send save-the-date cards Finalize your registries

Create your wedding website Discuss rehearsal dinner

Research wedding insurance

Reserve hotel rooms for guests

Book room for wedding night

Update your list of vendors

Research marriage license laws

Find accessories for your bridesmaids and groomsmen Finalize the menu with caterer

Write your vows

Finalize wedding day timeline

Give final head count to caterer Prepare toasts

