Second annual same-sex wedding survey highlights trends in LGBT nuptials

TheKnot.com and The Advocate announced the results of their second annual same-sex wedding survey. The study looks at many aspects of weddings, from the engagement to the honeymoon, comparing the traditions that same-sex couples are following in our wedding ceremonies with those of straight counterparts, and how we’re making nuptials unique with our own traditions.

Top Stats from TheKnot.com and The Advocate Same-Sex Weddings Survey

• As marriage equality continues to be legalized in more states across the country, the words “commitment ceremony” and “civil union” are becoming scarcer. Eighty-two percent of same-sex couples refer to this occasion as their wedding in invitations, up from 70 percent in 2013.
• Seventy-one percent of same-sex couples will have a ceremony and reception, as opposed to 96 percent1 of straight couples. Twelve percent of same-sex couples will only have a ceremony, and 7 percent of couples are planning to simply host a reception.
• Same-sex couples are less likely to have a formal proposal (58 percent) than straight couples (94 percent).
• Proposing with a ring is not as common for same-sex couples, with about two out of three couples (62 percent) exchanging an engagement ring before or after the proposal.
• When it comes to wedding attire, nearly all (91 percent) of same-sex couples know what their partner is wearing in advance, with 49 percent of male same-sex couples and 20 percent of female same-sex couples wearing matching outfits.
• As a nod to customary wedding wear, 42 percent of both female and male same-sex couples are wearing a suit or tuxedo as their wedding day attire.
• The “walk down the aisle”: Less than half (45 percent) of same-sex couples did or plan to walk down the aisle. Of those couples, 59 percent of female same-sex couples will be escorted by a family member, along with 37 percent of male same-sex couples.
• Forty percent of male same-sex couples and 30 percent of female same-sex couples plan to walk down the aisle together.
• Straight couples are more likely to tie religion into their ceremony (63 percent), while only 38 percent of same-sex couples will incorporate religion.
• Writing vows is more common for same-sex couples, with nearly half (49 percent) writing their own, compared to about one in four (23 percent) straight couples.
• Only 35 percent of same-sex couples plan to set up a wedding registry, compared with 87 percent of straight couples.
• In a more traditional move, a 79 percent 1 of straight brides will change their last name to the groom’s last name, while 54 percent of same-sex couples will keep their given last names. Forty-one percent of female same-sex couples and 23 percent of male same-sex couples will change their last name to their partner’s.
• Although same-sex couples are spending less on average ($15,849) on their weddings than straight couples ($29,858 1), they’re having more intimate affairs (77 guests on average versus 138) and still investing just as much on their guests, with an average spend of $205 per head (compared with $220 per head for straight couples).
• When it comes to finances, 85 percent of same-sex couples are paying for their wedding themselves, compared with only 13 percent of straight couples.
• The 63 percent of same-sex couples going on a honeymoon are taking more luxe trips than straight couples, with an average spend of $4,965, compared to $4,744 for the 77 percent of straight couples who take a honeymoon.

via press release
photo: TheKnot.com