 The arrival of summer marks the start of the Canadian wedding season as temperatures begin to rise and wedding fever shifts into high gear. However, according to Weddingbells’ Annual Reader Survey, released last week, temperatures aren’t the only thing that are rising as 62 per cent of engaged couples are planning to walk down the aisle during the summer months spending more than $20,000 to say ‘I do’.
“Given all the uncertainty in the economy, one would expect that wedding budgets would be on the decline but instead, we have found that couples are willing to spend big dollars to make their dream wedding happen; this means importance is placed on every detail leading up to their nuptials,” says Alison McGill, Editor-in-Chief, Weddingbells.
The results also show that most grooms-to-be are sticking with tradition when it comes to popping the question with nearly half (49%) asking permission from the father of the bride and 68 per cent getting down on one knee. Other traditions (or superstitions) are also being kept alive with an impressive 85 per cent of grooms opting not to see the dress until the big day.
Additional highlights from Weddingbells’ Annual Reader Survey:
Something old, something new, something….
• Average expected cost of a wedding is $20,129 (up from $19,279 in 2009)
• Almost one quarter of proposals took place during the month of December (top month)
• Average age of an engaged woman is 29
• Average budget for a wedding gown is $1,093
• Average budget for flowers is $821
• Nearly half of couples (47%) foot the bill with their own savings, 32% rely on family contributions and 14% take out loans
• 68% of brides plan to take their fiancé’s last name
• 26% say a prenup is the way to go
• 17% have more disagreements with their fiancé since becoming engaged; yet 54% say passion is up
• Nearly one quarter (22%) admit they are not completely over their ex
• 35% anticipate having disagreements with their in-laws
A complete summary of results is featured at www.weddingbells.ca/results.
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