The Wedding Report

The Wedding Report Methodology

Number of weddings last updated 02/09
Spending data last updated 02/09

Collection of Data

Data is collected and aggregated from many different sources into proprietary market estimates. Our primary source of data is proprietary surveys to Brides, Grooms, and Wedding Professionals. We also use data collected from Federal, State and local government offices, CDC, Census Bureau, Department of Labor, Easy Analytic Software, Inc., The Conference Board Inc., and Pew Internet & American Life Project as part of the estimating and forecasting process. This breadth and depth of data gives you a more complete picture of the wedding market.

Number of Weddings

The foundation for number of wedding estimates are derived from wedding licenses issued at the State and County levels. Initial estimates use a rate per population method to calculate zip code level numbers. We then apply a proprietary formula to arrive at the final estimate and growth rate for each zip code. Zip codes are then summed up to each market level (city, metro, state, then US). The model for number of weddings attempts to take into account weddings that travel into a market and weddings that originate from the market.

Estimated weddings are generated for the following locations; US, States, Metropolitan Areas, Cities, and Zip Codes.

Estimated weddings do not take into account current natural disasters. In addition, due to the high complexity of predicting weddings that may travel into popular locations, the number of weddings for areas like these may be underestimated. With that in mind, we calculate a range of estimated weddings for zip codes, cities, and metro areas with estimated weddings under 500.

Please contact us if you feel there is a large discrepancy in the numbers for a location so we can re-evaluate that location.

Spending (Wedding Cost)

We currently collect data on 100 items through pre-wedding, post-wedding, and vendor surveys. This serves as the base for all spending data. Using the base results, we apply a proprietary formula to calculate estimates and growth rates for each item, for each market. The model for spending takes into account the economic and social factors of each market.

The total market average is calculated from the "Weighted Demand Average," which is; average spent times demand equals the weighted demand average. Sum of weighted demand averages (minus items not included) equals the average price. Using the WDA instead of a summed average gives a better calculation, because it takes into account all items that a market may purchase.

Items not included in average cost are; All Honeymoon Items, Bridal Shower Invitations, Engagement Announcements, Engagement Ring, Bridal Shower, Engagement Party, Engagement Photographer, and Engagement Videographer.

Additional Items

All other items are calculated from survey data, wedding, and spending estimates.

Survey Data

All survey data is collected from random anonymous participants in electronic form through many channels. Surveys use both multiple choice and open ended questions. In 4 years, we have collected over 10,000 survey samples on wedding related items. The most current cost calculations are derived from a sample size of 3,620 surveys conducted in 2008.

Work is Progress

This research is a continuous work in progress. New data is continuously collected, aggregating, and re-evaluating to improve the reliability and accuracy of the estimates.