The results are in! Thank you so much to all the Irish brides (and grooms) who helped us with data for this survey. Over 100 of you let us peer into your wedding finances, and we really appreciate it. It would be lovely to have 100 romantic getaways to give out but sadly we only have one, courtesy of our generous and lovely sponsor, The Blarney Golf Resort Hotel.
Winner: The lucky winner of our getaway prize is Christine Duggan of Cork, who’s entry matched a random number draw. Congrats! Stash us in your luggage?
The results of the survey (a PDF with the press release and data) are available for download, but here are the highlights:
- Despite an average price tag of €20,000 not including honeymoon, almost half (49%) of Ireland’s engaged coupled never planned to take on debt to fund their weddings.
- Conversely, 35% have reduced the amount of debt they’re willing to take on or eliminated debt altogether from their wedding planning budgets.
- Only 16% have remained comfortable with the amount of debt they’re planning to take on and made no budget adjustments in light of the recession.
So with almost 70% of couples reducing budgets, where are the biggest budget savings?
- 21.56% are DIYing more elements of their weddings.
- 17.37% are dispensing with optional extras like wedding favours.
- 17.37% are sourcing and purchasing more things online.
- 14.37% are reducing their guest lists to make savings.
Irish brides would also rather chop guests off the list than compromise on food, drink, or (God forbid!) wedding attire, and really: who can blame you? Regardless, it’s certainly possible to have a special, memorable and gorgeous wedding on a recession budget, and we’ll be passing on the tips and looking for yours, too. Thanks again!
