Research by Archant Bride shows 32% of couples planning a wedding got engaged on holiday
Image: Nathan Dumlao
The most popular times for a proposal have been revealed in a survey by Archant Bride.
Holidays (32%), Christmas (13%), romantic dinners (12%), anniversaries (9%) and birthdays (4%) were cited as the top five occasions, with Valentine’s Day (3%), New Year’s Day (2%) and Boxing Day (1%) also mentioned by the respondents.
The survey also questioned engaged couples on their wedding planning, with 85% organising their big day using a combination of online resources, local shops and shows and fairs, and 10% saying they would plan it all online.
Digital is the preferred method by couples to compile their gift list: 45% surveyed said they were using an online provider in contrast to the 34% registered with a department store and the 21% doing it themselves.
The rise of digital platforms and processes is shaping the way couples plan their wedding with 49% using social media on a daily basis to inspire them. Pinterest ranked the most used social platform for wedding planning with 76% using the site, followed by Facebook with 49% and Instagram with 42%.
Yet the demand for independent businesses, where you can get personal service and expert advice, is still strong, with 67% of brides buying their wedding dress at a local bridal boutique.
Ties to home are equally significant when choosing a wedding location, with 58% deciding to marry close to where they live. The most popular reception venues are country houses (32%), hotels (21%) and historic buildings (16%), while civil ceremonies (63%) are favoured over religious ceremonies (32%).
The average wedding budget for respondents was £12,300, with half of couples inviting 51-100 wedding guests to their special day.
Findings based on a survey by bridemagazine.co.uk of 182 respondents currently planning their wedding
