Wedding Trends in Canada
Weddingbells’ Annual Reader Survey reveals the most recent wedding-day facts and trends from Canadian brides prepping to walk down the aisle.
According to Weddingbells’ reader survey, couples aren't willing to compromise when it comes to their weddings. Despite the uncertainty in the economy, the average expected cost of a wedding has actually increased from 2009.
More than 1,200 brides-to-be responded from across the country revealing their thoughts and plans from the engagement to the honeymoon. Here are the results:
(The Weddingbells’ Reader Survey was conducted online from February 18 to March 12, 2010 by Nooro Online Inc. A national sample of 1,241 engaged readers participated in the survey. Confidence interval: +/-2.8%, 19 times out of 20.)
- Average expected cost of a wedding is $20,129 (up from $19,279 in 2009)
- Budget breakdown based on anticipated costs:
- Reception Venue = $6,922
- Bridal Gown = $1,093
- Bridesmaid Dress = $263
- Bridal/Bridesmaid Shoes = $112
- Wedding Bands = $1,761
- Photographer = $1,727
- Videographer = $754
- Stationery = $302
- Wedding Cake = $324
- Florist/Decor = $821
- Transportation/Limo = $533
- DJ/Musicians = $824
- Guest Favours/Gifts = $343
- Honeymoon = $3,448
- Nearly half of all couples (47%) foot the bill with their own savings, 32% rely on family contributions and 14% take out loans
- Average wedding size is 141 guests
- 9% of couples plan on having a destination wedding
- 73% of couples plan on spending their honeymoon outside of Canada
- 68% of brides will try to use eco-friendly products and services on their wedding day
- Almost one quarter of proposals took place during the month of December (top month)
- Average age of an engaged woman is 29
- 90% of brides received a ring at the time of engagement; 31% of couples picked it out together
- Average length of engagement is 17.5 months
- 74% of couples already live together before getting married
- 68% of brides plan to take their fiancè’s last name
- 26% say a prenup is the way to go
- 42% think there is nothing wrong with returning a wedding gift for cash
- 17% have more disagreements with their fiancè 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
- Only 8% think that abstaining from sex before marriage is a good idea
- 32% find wedding planning to be more stressful than enjoyable
- 76% think their future spouse does his fair share of domestic duties
Click here to view the 2009 results.
