If you just got engaged, or it's been a long pandemic, here are some trends that will be eye-opening to some. Zola, a wedding planning platform, recently surveyed 3,309 people to make up their "First Look Report of 2022." After looking at the report, here are the highlights:
1. Couples are spending more than their planned budget.
Maybe not being able to spend time with friends and family contributes to this first point of emphasis. 69% are spending more than they originally budgeted for, but couples have been spending every Saturday night at home on the couch, so there's some wiggle room.
2. Couples are covering the expenses for their weddings.
With couples going over budget, you might think that the parents were fronting the bill for the majority of couples. This isn't the case with a third of couples paying for it entirely and 41% paying partially.
One of the most important expenses to 2022 wedding couples is the right photographer, 73% saying that they are willing to spend whatever it takes. The cake is least important with only 14% saying they would spend a lot on a wedding cake. When it comes to vendors in general, over half the couples surveyed said they were actively choosing small and local businesses that aligned with their own values.
3. On average, couples are celebrating three times in addition to their big day.
In 2022 couples are putting a pause on engagement parties, with only 26 percent partaking. Since most probably got engaged when social distancing was at its finest, it makes sense than a lot of couples are going all in on Bachelor and Bachelorette. 81% of couples are looking forward to their respective parties now that restrictions are being lifted and it's safe to party once again.
4. Engaged couples are waiting about 18 months from Date of Engagement to the Wedding.
The waiting period of getting engaged to getting married is usually about 12 months. With the pandemic, throw the norm out the window because some couples have waited two years. These days though, the median is right in the middle at 18 months. Expect that to go down heading further in 2022, because couples have waited long enough to get engaged so they feel the rush to get married as well.
5. Technology is being embraced, at the right times that is
One out of every four couples met through a dating app so it's safe to say these people know technology has its upsides. 44% of couples say they have a wedding hashtag to keep track of the night on social media as well.
While technology is great, nobody needs Aunt Sharon's cell phone going off with that annoying cricket ringtone. That coupled with family blocking the professional photographer's shots is why 40% have elected to ask guests to completely unplug.
6. Guest lists are beginning to increase
Grabbing the consumer’s attention isn’t enough; you have to keep that attention for at least a few seconds. This is where your benefits come into play or a product description that sets your offer apart from the others.
7. Traditions! Traditions.
Only 14% of couples feel that the traditions of old are outdated. About half the couples surveyed feel excited about celebrating the same traditions as their friends and family. With that said, a third of the couples say they have outside forces pressure them to incorporate traditions, so the numbers might be skewed.
To read the full report from Zola, check it out here.
