As we enter Autumn in 2024, there is now a wealth of wedding sector data and information that has revealed some very interesting trends.

Weddings have been heavily affected by the economic position in the UK, with the cost of living crisis being quoted as a factor by many couples.  We felt it was time to sum the trends up and see if they fitted with your own wedding plans, or did you make decisions for a wedding you've already had in 2024 that match the trends?

Wedding venue choice and experience

We wanted to mention this one first, mainly because it contains a shocking insight into an area some wedding sector workers might want to take note of.  

The "Wedding Dates: Wedding Industry Report" for 2024 has revealed that an incredible 74% of couples felt underwhelmed or disappointed with the reaction and customer service they received from wedding venues when making enquiries.

The ability to tailor their wedding day to their own preferences was specifically mentioned, with couples seemingly feeling that venues were rather rigid in their approach to what they could offer or allow on wedding days.

Wedding venue viewing

Staying with wedding venues, couples said they visited 3 venues on average before making their choice.  That's a change from previous years where 4-5 venues would be visited, so it marks a change that venues might want to consider.  The opportunity to impress potential customers has decreased. 

Wedding sector response time

Connected to the above, but taking a broader view of the customer service offered in the sector, almost half of all couples said they expected a response to emails (not just enquiries, but all types at all stages) within 48 hours.  That doesn't sound at all unreasonable to us, indeed we'd be disappointed if it took 2 days to receive a reply!

Email remains key to the sector overall, with almost 2/3's of couples saying that it was their preferred form of communication with venues, suppliers and anyone involved in arranging their big day.

Phone calls, social media channel direct messaging and shared wedding portal messaging followed as their choice of communication.

 

Sources of wedding inspiration

When it comes to where couples get their inspiration for their wedding, TikTok has risen to be King of Inspo.  An incredible 57% of couples said they used it for ideas.  

Instagram and Pinterest remain solid channels that brides in particular flock to, and it is interesting that whilst 57% of couples use TikTok, the share of use across all the platforms isn't that different.

 There was a time when Pinterest was the No.1 choice for wedding inspiration, around 5-6 years ago, but it has fallen behind in some ways.  The rise of Instagram followed by the meteoric ascent of TikTok, and what we think is a potential issue in the way Pinterest haven't adapted their app as well, has seen it knocked off its perch - but it remains a go to channel.

 

Wedding fairs

Wedding fairs saw a decline for a short period (pre and post-COVID), but they're very much in favour with couples in 2024.  Over 70% of couples said they attended or planned to attend wedding fairs.  

This comes as no surprise to us and we're fans of wedding fairs.  Online content is all well and good, but wedding fairs allow us to demonstrate the 360 Orb Air photo booth and how amazing it is for weddings in all it's glory.  

Couples often see ideas and companies they'd never even thought of too, so it's good to see how popular wedding fairs have become again.

 

Wedding cost and budgeting

There is a very distinctive split in how couples view the cost of their wedding and budgeting for it.  Approximately 55% said the overall cost of their wedding wasn't their primary consideration, but the other 45% had it in the number one spot.

The number of couples that now have it as their main concern is far higher than ever before, again tying in with the cost of living crisis.

Church or Venue Wedding Ceremony

It won't shock you to read that 62% of couples planned to get married at their wedding venue.  It should be noted that this statistic is at odds with the overall trend for church weddings that are far, far lower than the remaining 38% might suggest.

In other words, the 38% of people that aren't getting married at their wedding venue aren't necessarily getting married in church.  Recent statistics in the UK suggest that church weddings could be as low as 1 in 5 next year.

Sustainable Wedding Trends

Environmentally conscious couples are on the rise in a very big way.  It shouldn't come as a head turner given the focus there is on sustainability nowadays and the importance of looking after the planet.

However, the statistics are huge.  A massive 68% of couples now factor eco-conscious decisions into their wedding day.  One element that was a popular choice was the use of recycled or sustainable confetti, with 50% of couples saying they would be choosing it.

Brochure or Literature Requests

Wedding venues aren't the only wedding sector companies that send brochures out, be it physically or digitally.  However, they're certainly one of the biggest users of them as a promotional tool.  

All companies should be mindful that more than half of interested couples expect to receive brochures or literature that they request almost immediately - and email/digital brochures is their preferred media type.

That is a major change in the last 3 years, with the percentage of couples that want their request met quickly almost double what it was.

Your Wedding

Do these preferences match what you did or are planning?  Let us know, we love to get feedback from our readers!