New Survey Sheds Light on the Nations Views on Proposals, Marriage and Sex

Planning to pop the question this Christmas or New Year? A new survey has shed light on the nation’s views on proposals, planning the big day and maintaining a happy marriage, with surprising results 

A new survey by diamond specialists 77 Diamonds has revealed the nation’s views on engagements, weddings and marriages.

The survey was taken to explore the changing trends in engagements and weddings within the UK.

77 Diamonds asked a range of men and women across the country what they have done or would do when it comes to popping the question, planning the big day, and maintaining a successful and happy marriage.

Key findings from the survey were:

•       Many men may think women want a flashy, public marriage proposal, but 47 per cent of those surveyed said they would prefer it to take place somewhere intimate and special – even if that was just in bed with the papers on a Sunday morning.

•       Older people (aged 55+) considered sex to be one of the most important factors of a long and happy marriage compared to just 10 per cent of younger couples (aged 16-24).

•       55 per cent of the women surveyed said they would not want a traditional wedding; instead favouring a smaller, civil ceremony with close family and friends only.

•       80 per cent of people in a relationship would not feel completely confident to buy their partner an engagement ring without them seeing it first

The top five factors for maintaining a long and happy marriage:
(Those surveyed were asked to pick their top three)

-  Trust – 78 per cent

-  Good communication – 50 per cent

-  Laughter – 48 per cent

-  Great sex – 17.9 per cent

-  Shared interests/hobbies 16.9 per cent

The survey also revealed the top five cities that spoil their partners the most on their wedding days. The cities were:

Belfast: 10.6 per cent would spend more than £2.5K on a ring

            15.8 per cent would spend more than 15k on a wedding

London: 9.3 per cent would spend more than 2.5k on a ring

             11 per cent would spend more than 15k on a wedding

Manchester: 6.3 per cent would spend more than 2.5k on a ring

                      11.6 per cent would spend more than 15k on a wedding

Brighton:  6.7 per cent would spend more than 2.5k on a ring

                 10 per cent would spend more than 15k on a wedding

Liverpool:  7.7 per cent would spend more than 2.5k on a ring

                 7.7 per cent would spend more than 15k on a wedding

David Allen, creative director at 77 Diamonds says: “We conducted this survey to shed some light on how people across the UK think when it comes to proposals, weddings and marriage – from budgets for engagement rings and the wedding day, to ideal locations to pop the question.

“Not only does this survey look into what people would hypothetically do, but also looks into what some people have actually done in their own relationships – and this provides some valuable advice for us all.”

View the full summary of the survey here: http://www.77diamonds.com/blog/index.php/the-secret-to-a-happy-marriage-what-makes-a-marriage-work/

*77 Diamonds surveyed 1,000 people from across the UK between 2/11/15 and 4/11/15