As we waltz through the confetti-strewn aftermath of 2023’s wedding season, it’s finally time to take a look back at the real weddings that happened to predict what the future holds for couples planning on walking down the aisle.
To do that, we always look to The Knot’s latest Real Weddings Study, which offers a peek into the matrimonial magic each year by surveying thousands of respondents (9,318 US couples married between January 1 and December 31, 2023 to be exact). Some of the results, outlined below, were a little bit surprising, while others were not.
When are People Getting Engaged (and Married)?
One result of the Real Weddings Study that didn’t surprise us was exactly when people are getting engaged, as well as what date they are actually tying the knot. December remains the most popular engagement month, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day being the go-to moments for popping the big question. Additionally, 38% of proposals happened on vacations and trips!
October remains the overall most popular month to say “I Do,” but in 2024 September 21 is predicted to be the most popular date. So if you haven’t booked your venue yet and are eyeing either of those months, hop to it! Same goes for all you 2025 and even 2026 couples, as the dates don’t seem to fluctuate that much when it comes to popularity.
Are Diamonds Still a Thing?
Let’s talk bling. The reign of the diamond continues, with 85% of couples opting for this classic gem. But hold the phone, because there’s a plot twist: Moissanite is making moves, charming 30% of the non-diamond crowd, especially the Gen Z lovebirds, who are all about that sparkle without breaking the bank.
And as for the rings themselves? It’s out with the old and in with the new, as side stones take a bow to diamond solitaires. Yellow gold is making a comeback, nudging out white gold for the top spot in the metal race. Size matters too, with a third of the rings now boasting over two carats of pure love (and a little lab-grown magic).
Most Couples Are Planning Their Wedding Online
When it comes to planning these love extravaganzas, Google Docs might just be the new wedding planner. A whopping 91% of couples turned to the interwebs to plan their wedding, dedicating an average of seven hours a week to bring their Pinterest boards to life. In addition, 88% of couples created a wedding website, and 54% chatted with potential wedding vendors using Zoom or other video conferencing apps.
Wedding Budgets are Fluctuating with the Economy
According to the study, the average wedding cost last year was $35,000, which was up $5,000 from the year before likely because of inflation. The majority of couples (7 out of 10) made modifications to their wedding plans to help alleviate the increased cost, with 60% changing their decor and 46% reducing their guest count by an average of 29 guests.
To help take a look into more of these wedding insights, we spoke with The Knot’s Esther Lee about what’s in and what’s out for weddings this year, as well as key takeaways you can use to help plan your own wedding.
What’s In
Kid-free receptions
It turns out couples love your kids…just not that much. “We know this is a bit of a sensitive topic, but the numbers speak to something greater. 38% of all couples want an adults-only celebration, and that’s up 8% from 2018,” says Lee.
QR codes on Invitations to capture RSVPs and to view wedding websites
Up from 18% in 2022, the number of all couples utilizing this tech-forward trend is now 38%. “That’s a steep jump!,” says Lee. “We attribute part of this to COVID times. Remember the days of having to scan a barcode since physical menus weren’t exactly contactless in 2020? Plus, it’s convenient for your more tech-savvy guests.”
WGM Says: Modern etiquette is to send physical RSVP cards to anyone who might prefer them, such as parents and grandparents.
Ed Sheeran has been dethroned, sort of.
Still the most popular artist on The Knot for first dance song options, Sheeran and his six-year run for topping first dance song requests for “Perfect,” fell to another king. Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” is now the most popular first dance song. “Much of this is attributed to pop culture–with two Elvis movies out over the last few years,” says Lee. How can we not fall in love with this classic tune?
What’s Out
Wedding party members divided by gender (or matching)
“The traditional terms like bridesmaid and groomsmen are getting revamped twists with the rise of groomsmaids and bridesmen,” says Lee. Only 59% of couples divided their wedding party members by gender, down 7% from 2018.
Another tradition that’s getting tossed? Matchy-matchy bridesmaid dresses, which were down 20% from 2018. “More couples are celebrating color palettes and attire that feels most appealing to different types of body shapes and sizes,” says Lee. Our differences are, after all, worth celebrating.
Wedding hashtags
While wedding hashtags were a major thing 5 years ago, they seem to be fading. Only 23% used one, a 9% drop from 2022. The Instagram algorithm is just that good.
Other Key Wedding Insights
- Couples hired an average of 14 vendors for their wedding day, with the dress being the top category (92%), followed by venue (91%) then photographer (89%).
- Approximately one in five couples are seeking women-owned, Black-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, and Veteran-owned businesses as vendors.
- A quarter of proposers hired photographers and/or additional pros to create the ideal ambiance (lighting, decor, etc.) to pop the question (a number that has more than doubled since 2019).
- 75% of couples deem the guest experience as the most crucial during the planning process – a figure that rose to 80% among couples who have over 100 guests.
How do these wedding stats compare to what you’re doing (or did)? Let us know in the comments section!
All products featured on Woman Getting Married are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something. Learn more.
