From Lucky Dates To Politics: How Brides Are Making Love Last

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Thursday marks one of the most highly anticipated wedding dates this year, 10/11/12. With this, David's Bridal is releasing the second half of their sixth annual survey, "What's on Brides' Minds." This year's survey reveals that an estimated 43% of brides have considered planning their wedding on iconic dates. In fact, David's Bridal estimates that approximately 4,000 brides will marry on 10/11/12—a 392% increase over the prior year!   Additionally, the date falls on a Thursday and reflects a growing weekday wedding trend as couples seek budget-friendly options and greater venue flexibility.

"We are excited to share the latest findings from our survey," said Brian Beitler, Chief Marketing Officer for David's Bridal. "Today's bride knows what she wants and isn't afraid to express it, including sharing every detail via social media, which is now at the forefront of wedding planning. From choosing a wedding date with special meaning, to choosing her career and political party, she isn't shy about voicing her opinion. While the survey provides some fun insight into current trends, David's Bridal celebrates the unique beauty of each bride and it is our goal to ensure her special day is reflective of everything she envisioned."

With milestone ceremonies on the rise and classic traditions being updated, brides are continuing to seek innovative ways to make their nuptials unforgettable. So, "What's on Brides' Minds"?

Lucky Dates

Wedding dates, including 10/11/12 and 12/12/12, can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different brides. Whether these dates are seen as lucky or symbolic, it seems the trend is here to stay.

• 43% of brides would consider planning their wedding on a special date, such as 10-11-12 or 12-12-12.
• David's Bridal estimates more than 5,000 brides will marry on 12/12/12 compared to 485 on 12/12/11 – a 939% increase.

Partisan Party

Election season is in full swing and political conversations are heating up across the country, so what do brides feel about differing views from their partners? Apparently, many brides won't budge and switching parties for love is not an option.

• Roughly four in five brides are not willing to change their political party affiliation to be the same as their significant other.
• Of the brides willing to switch, 74% say that they would be more likely than their partner to change political parties. 

Wedding Crashers

This year, President Obama nearly crashed an Iowa couple's wedding while on the campaign trail! While no bride wants an uninvited guest to show up at her wedding, celebrities and political leaders are exceptions.

• Guess Who's Coming To My Wedding: President Barack Obama is the crasher that brides would most like to attend their wedding (22%), narrowly beating out newlyweds Beyonce & Jay-Z (19%).
• Comedians Can Come: 28% of brides think that Vince Vaughn is the crasher that their grooms would be most excited about showing up to their wedding.
• Attention Stealers Need Not RSVP: Brides do not want to be overshadowed by Lady Gaga (16%) nor the cast of "Glee" (10%) crashing their wedding.

Is Relationship History Really History?
Breaking up is hard to do and while it stands for the "end," it doesn't seem to signify the end for everyone.

• 7% of brides still have a thing for their ex, while 4% of brides believe that their fiance or spouse is not over a significant other.

Facebook This, Tweet That

In May, Mark Zuckerberg updated his Facebook status to "married" after tying the knot with college sweetheart Priscilla Chan. From updating statuses to uploading pictures, brides too want everyone to be connected in real time.

• Facebook Frenzy: Nearly half (49%) of brides admit that they did or will update their Facebook status to "married" between the wedding and reception.
• Hitting Every Platform: Facebook isn't the only social media site getting in on the action. Guests are getting involved by posting Twitpics and mobile uploads (23%), play-by-play updates (17%) and check-ins on Foursquare (13%).

Independent Women

Blake Lively and Drew Barrymore got married this year, but remain power figures in Hollywood. They aren't about to give up their independence, and it turns out the majority of women today also do not see themselves leaving their careers right after marriage.

• Continuing Careers: More than three-quarters of women (79%) see themselves still working two to five years after their walk down the aisle.

Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

Taking a note from Katherine Heigl's character in 27 Dresses, the "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" saying has become commonplace. Today's brides also perceive this sentiment amongst their single girlfriends who have yet to find "the one."

• Going Green…With Envy: 38% of brides suspect that they have at least one friend who is jealous that they are getting married.

Methodology

The David's Bridal Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) between November 17 and November 23, 2011. For this research, 500 interviews were fielded using an email invitation and an online survey among women ages 18 and older, who are engaged to be married or were married within the last two months.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 4.4 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

About David's Bridal

With more than 60 years of experience dressing women of all ages for life's special occasions, David's Bridal understands the importance of providing brides-to-be with a vast selection of exquisitely crafted bridal gowns and bridal party dresses. Known for outstanding value, fashionable designs and the ease of one-stop shopping, nearly 60% of all brides in the US choose to shop at one of more than 300 David's Bridal stores located across the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. Working with a knowledgeable bridal consultant, a customer can enjoy trying on a wide selection of gowns and dresses in her size with the added convenience that most styles are available to take home the same day. To learn more about David's Bridal, visit www.davidsbridal.com.

SOURCE David's Bridal