wedding trends in canada
The Canadian wedding season kicks off in June, and as thousands of couples across the country prepare to walk up the aisle, Weddingbells magazine reveals the facts: the who, what, when and how much, surrounding the big day.
Over 2,000 brides-to-be were polled in Weddingbells’ online survey that was conducted from March 25 to April 15, 2008. The result is a comprehensive snapshot of wedding trends in Canada.
(The Weddingbells’ Reader Survey was conducted online from March 25 to April 15, 2008 by Nooro Online Inc. A national sample of 2,198 engaged readers participated in the survey. Confidence interval: +/- 2.1%, 19 times out of 20.)
Who is She?
- Average age is 29 among engaged women in Canada
- 77% already live with their fiancé/significant other
- Average household income after marriage is $83,811
The Proposal
- 47% of grooms asked for permission from the bride’s father before proposing
- 62% of grooms got down on one knee to propose
- 88% of brides received an engagement ring at the time of engagement; 30% of the time the ring was picked out together
The Big Day
- Average expected cost is $19,038
- Average wedding size is 145 guests; 22% have 200+ guests
- 56% of weddings occur between June and August: June (15%), July (15%), August (26%)
- 40% of engagements occur between December and February: December (22%), January (7%), February (11%)
- Average length of engagement is 18 months
Show Me the Money
- Funding for wedding: bride/groom savings (47%), bride/groom loans (14%), family (35%)
- The wedding is but one spending occasion: bridal shower (85%), rehearsal party (80%), stagette (71%), engagement party (29%)
- Budget breakdown based on anticipated costs:
- Reception venue = $7,063
- Bridal gown = $1,028
- Wedding bands = $1,489
- Photographer = $1,619
- Wedding cake = $327
- Florist/Decor = $865
- Transportation/Limo = $563
- DJ/Musicians = $808
- Honeymoon = $4,126
- Guest favours = $360 (will pay up to $469)
- Bridesmaids’ Dresses = $287 (will pay up to $344)
- Bridal/Bridesmaid Shoes = $109 (will pay up to $148)
- Stationery = $329 (will pay up to $430)
- Videographer = $792 (will pay up to $1,000)
The Honeymoon
- The average honeymoon lasts 8.7 nights away from home
- 71% plan to spend their honeymoon outside of Canada
- 50% plan to stay at an all-inclusive resort
Traditional vs. Modern
- 69% of brides plan to take their fiancé’s last name
- 87% of grooms will not see the wedding dress until the wedding day
- 21% agree that sex before marriage is not a good idea
- 76% agree their future spouse does his fair share of domestic duties
- 68% of brides will try and use eco-friendly products and services on their wedding day
- 41% think it’s acceptable to return a wedding gift for cash
Things That Make You Go Hmmmm…
- 34% find wedding planning to be more stressful than enjoyable
- 23% agree a prenuptial agreement is a good idea
- 39% anticipate having disagreements with their in-laws
- 21% are having more disagreements with their fiancé since becoming engaged
- 31% say their sex life has improved since getting engaged
- 24% claim not to be completely over past relationships
Click here to view the 2007 results.
