Love is in the air here at WeddingDates HQ as we release our 2020 Ultimate UK Wedding Survey in time for Valentine’s Day. Is your wedding following the latest trends? Check out some of our key findings below, you might be surprised…
Who did we hear from?
We surveyed 1,328 engaged people all over the UK about their upcoming nuptials to find out their plans and all the juicy details! The vast majority of respondents fell into the blushing bride category (92%) with over half aged 25-34 and 54% engaged in the past 6 months. With 75% of these millennial brides in the middle of planning a 2020/2021 Wedding, just 12% were still undecided on when the big day was going to be.
When & Where will they say “I Do”?
August Weddings top the bill this year among UK couples closely followed by May and June. Saturday still remains the most popular day to wed among 57% of respondents but Friday has increased in popularity up to 20% with just 6% choosing Sunday. Most people will still marry at home in the UK with just 8% planning to marry abroad or elope. Civil ceremonies in a venue are the nuptial choice for half our couples and this year we see an increase in those opting for an outdoor ceremony at 12% (up from 9%) and in a registry office 10% (up from 8%).
What is the budget breakdown?
Some traditions still ring true with 63% telling us that their partner picked the ring but spend has reduced year on year with 78% spending under £2,000 on the bling (was 61% in 2019)! Overall wedding spend is also down on last year with just 20% spending more than £15,000 on their Wedding (down 5% on last year). When it comes to splashing the cash, the Venue is in the no.1 spot for budget allocation followed by Dress & Suits, Food & Drink and Video/Photography. When asked about the per head cost for the venue 36% said they’d be spending less than £50. Despite the fact that they are spending less this year, they still rank quality higher than cost when it comes to their wedding. Half of our couples tell us they will have 80-180 guests with 4 in 10 brides having 4+ bridesmaids!
What’s the venue verdict?
Country Houses and Exclusive Use Venues have each seen a drop in popularity this year with Hotels regaining 5% to 28%. Barn weddings remain popular too at 14%. Venues certainly need to adopt the charm offensive when the happy couple comes to call with 22% only visiting 1 Venue before making their decision.
New to the survey this year, we asked about the whole enquiry process to venues and how it made the couples feel. Only 22% said that they found it highly personal and they were made to feel special. In fact, when we asked them if a personalised note was sent to them during the enquiry process, how would that make them feel? Almost half said they’d feel ‘Blown away, love the personal touch! I would definitely put them to the top of my shortlist’. They also have very high standards in terms of response times with 51% expecting a turnaround to their enquiry within 24 hours! With almost one quarter of couples visiting just one Venue before making a decision, having done a lot of research online already, Venues really need to pull out all the stops at this critical point in the enquiry process.
What are the most popular trends for 2020?
UK couples are also choosing a more casual dining style with 32% offering a Buffet, BBQ or Finger Food/ Canapes to their guests. Inspiration comes mostly online with Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram the favourites but Wedding Fairs remain popular. Along with the usual extras such as wedding favours and canapes on arrival, some new trends emerging including grazing tables, flower walls, balloons and food trucks. 14% of couples will have an absolute ban on social media so guests beware of pulling out those phones!
Check out our Infographic for some top facts.
