2012 Real Weddings Study

Real Weddings Study—a look at the choices and spending habits of over 17,000 American brides who got married in 2012. 

1. Today’s average bride is now 29-years-old, so couples are slightly older on average than in years past.
2. A DJ is still the most popular choice for wedding music. 75% of brides hire a DJ for their wedding, and most (63%) are professional DJ’s. The remaining 12% are family, friends, or other nonprofessionals.
3. Brides spend 6-7 weeks researching DJs before they book. They begin looking for a DJ about 8 months before the wedding, and commit to one about 6.7 months before the wedding.
4. Brides who married in 2012 spent 11% more on DJ services than in 2009.
5. 85% of brides own smartphones!

2012 Wedding Statistics

• Average Wedding Budget: $28,427 (excludes honeymoon)
• Most Expensive Place to Get Married: Manhattan, $76,678 average spend
• Least Expensive Place to Get Married: Alaska, $15,504 average spend
• Average Spent on a Wedding Dress: $1,211
• Average Marrying Age: Bride, 29; Groom, 31
• Average Number of Guests: 139
• Average Number of Bridesmaids: 4 to 5
• Average Number of Groomsmen: 4 to 5
• Most Popular Month to Get Engaged: December (16%)
• Average Length of Engagement: 14 months
• Most Popular Month to Get Married: June (17%)
• Popular Wedding Colors: Blue (33%), Purple (26%), Green (23%), Metallics (23%)
• Percentage of Destination Weddings: 24%

Survey respondents represent a variety of ethnicities and educational and income levels, and are geographically dispersed across the country. The survey and data management partner for the study was Decipher Inc.