Get Married Media Survey Shows Budget-Conscious Bride Continues to Plan Her Dream Wedding

ATLANTA, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Get Married Media—a national tri-media wedding lifestyle resource (on TV, online, in print)—today announced the results of its recent online bride survey of more than 1,500 brides.  Even in today's soft economy, budget-conscious brides are committed to creating their dream wedding.  Get Married's survey reveals that 92 percent of brides surveyed are personally paying for some portion of their wedding, underscoring that purchase decisions are made on elements that most impact and reflect her unique bridal style.

"More than ever, we're seeing brides personally invested in the wedding planning  process—both emotionally and financially—changing the paradigm decision making dynamic, putting the bride in a creative driver's seat," said Stacie Francombe, founder and CEO of Get Married media.  "The wedding planning process has really become a partnership between brides and wedding professionals, as they work together to determine the design and style within a defined budget.  The outcome is as phenomenally beautiful as they are inspirational."

Who is today's engaged bride-to-be?  Following is a look at key results of Get Married's bride survey, offering insight into style and spending trends.

Budget surprise:  While 44 percent of brides claim that establishing the wedding budget is the most surprising wedding planning stress, 70 percent are either pleasantly surprised with their budget or feel like everything they want will fit into their budget.  

Personally invested:  The top items that brides are personally purchasing are jewelry (wedding bands), invitations and wedding favors.  

Planning resources: Brides are resourceful, and said wedding websites (82 percent) and wedding magazines (58 percent) are the most helpful in wedding planning. Other key planning resources for brides include advice from friends and family (45 percent), wedding television programs (36 percent),  real wedding images (36 percent) and advice from wedding professionals (20 percent).

'Tis the season: More than half of brides surveyed said the season was the most important element when choosing a wedding date, as it sets the tone and backdrop for a wedding.

Bridal style: However a bride defines her personal style, the survey shows that brides continue to opt for a classic and traditional wedding, and most brides described her wedding as elegant and romantic.

Family time: While couples are having longer engagements, the survey reveals that they are spending quality time with each other's families as if they already married: 70 percent of couples spent the 2009 holidays together with both families.

Grooms: While today's groom might not be involved in every detail of the wedding planning, they do have strong opinions about the overall feel of the weddings.  Grooms have the strongest opinion about the venue, caterer, music and photography.

More details about Get Married's 2009 engagement survey will be showcased online at http://www.getmarried.com/articles/?id=666.

About Get Married Media

Get Married Media, a national, integrated tri-media wedding planning resource that reaches passionate brides on TV (WE tv Saturdays at 9:30am et/pt), online (http://www.GetMarried.com) and in print (Get Married magazine).  Get Married connects brides with local and national wedding vendors and industry experts through entertainment and news. 

Get Married magazine (circ. 300,000) - the new shopping and trend guide for the savvy bride - moves beyond the traditional ways of delivering a bridal publication - from the newest interactive technology and latest trends in bridal shopping and style to a colorful, fresh voice in the wedding genre.  Get Married is offering the magazine as a one-time free issue: (http://www.getmarried.com/magazine).  Also available in bulk ([email protected]).

Closely integrated with the TV show and Get Married magazine, the online portal at http://www.getmarried.com offers brides an interactive experience, including an online wedding shop offering wedding invitations, wedding favors, accessories and products as seen in the magazine, as well as a wedding blog, video segments from the show, articles, image galleries and wedding planning tools. If you are interested in having Stacie Francombe speak at an event to discuss industry insights and trends, please contact Becca Brett Leish at [email protected].

SOURCE Get Married Media