The Knot Unveils Annual Real Weddings Survey Results

Largest-of-Its-Kind Survey of 20,000+ Recently Wed Couples Reveals
Unparalleled Insight into the Bridal Consumer, from Spending Patterns
to Style Preferences

Results Generate Best of Weddings Magazine, a By-Brides-for-Brides
Guide to the Best Wedding Venues, Vendors, and Businesses in 40 US
Cities
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT), the owners of The Knot Wedding
Network (which includes the Internet's most-trafficked wedding
websites and communities TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com,)
conducted a massive survey in 2007 to capture detailed feedback on
wedding spending, style preferences, event characteristics, and other
key information related to the bridal demographic.

The survey, administered by Harris Interactive, is the second
annual Real Weddings Survey conducted by The Knot Inc. It polled
nearly 22,000 individuals--of mixed ethnicities, income, and education
levels--across 50 US states, making it the largest survey of its kind
ever.

WEDDING SPENDING:,COUPLES ALLOT BULK OF BUDGET TO RECEPTION, AND
COUPLES CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH AS BRIDE'S PARENTS, AND CAKE SPENDING
INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY

-- $27,882 is the average wedding budget in the US (not including
the honeymoon). Including the honeymoon, the average wedding
budget in the US is $32,660.

-- The bulk of the average wedding budget is dedicated to the
reception venue ($12,722, or 45%); followed by the reception
band ($4,105 on average, or 15%); and photographer ($2,651 on
average, or 9.5% of the total average wedding budget).

-- In 2007 vs. 2006, couples spent 35% more on their wedding cake
(average $692 vs. $514), 17% more on their reception venue
(average $12,722 vs. $10,857), and 18% more on their reception
band ($4,105 vs. $3,465).

-- The bride's parents (44%) and the bride and groom (43%) are
paying for the majority of weddings.

-- The average cost of a wedding gown is $1,317 (NYC brides spent
the most at $2,206).

-- The average cost of a wedding photographer is $2,651 (Long
Island brides spend the most on photography at $4,550).

WEDDING STYLE & TRENDS: SEMIFORMAL WEDDINGS ARE THE RAGE, AND
BRIDES ARE HEADING TO ALTAR FASTER

-- The average wedding guest list is 153 people, nearly the same
as 2006. (Wisconsin brides have the largest weddings,
averaging 189 invitees).

-- Brides are not prolonging their engagements; the average
wedding-planning period is 11 months. New York brides are
engaged the longest (13.1 months), while Las Vegas brides have
the shortest engagements (9.1 months).

-- Weddings are getting less formal: Weddings are split in terms
of formality: 66% were characterized as "semi-formal" as
compared to 45% in 2006 and 20% are characterized as
"formal/black tie, down from 42% in 2006."

-- The average bridal party in 2007 was comprised of 4
bridesmaids and 4 groomsmen.

-- The groom is significantly involved in planning: 36% of grooms
were 'very involved' and 57% of grooms were 'somewhat
involved'

-- Reception venues of choice in 2007 were reception halls (29%),
hotel (19%), club (yacht, country, etc.) (16%), restaurants
(9%), historic mansions (7%), with the remaining 20% going to
parks and gardens, museums and cultural centers, private
homes, loft and raw spaces, and other reception venues.

-- The most important reception venue features were: a great
space for dancing (81%), a picturesque backdrop for photos
(65%), an outdoor area for cocktails (52%), a breathtaking
view (39%), and a waterside location (25%).

DESTINATION WEDDINGS: COUPLES ARE TRAVELING TO TIE THE KNOT, BUT
NOT NECESSARILY LEAVING THE COUNTRY

-- Destination weddings are more popular: With a destination
wedding characterized as "200 or more miles away from where
the bride and groom live (including non US locations)" and "at
least 80% of guests requiring overnight accommodations"
approximately 1 in 10 couples have a destination wedding
(8-10%).

-- Approximately 25% of destination weddings occur outside the
US.

-- 20% of couples are traveling at least 200 miles from where
they reside to get married.

PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTOGRAPHY GOES DIGITAL AND COSTS GO UP

-- Couples spent 8% more on their photographers in 2007 vs. 2006
($2,651 vs. $2,466).

-- A mix of traditional and photojournalistic photography is what
most (71%) couples desire, while 18% chose to place emphasis
on candid photos.

-- There was a 61% increase in use of digital-only photography at
weddings.

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Top reception band and music style choices in 2007 were
rock-and-roll/Motown (37%) and big band/swing/jazz (21%).

In addition to general wedding questions, newlyweds were asked to
rate their local wedding vendors on multiple criteria, from creativity
to professionalism, and to comment on their experiences. The resulting
ratings and detailed feedback were aggregated by the editors of The
Knot to create a one-of-a-kind publication, highlighting the best
wedding resources in each region according to local brides: The Knot
Best of Weddings Magazine, now available on newsstands nationwide.

For more statistics, please contact pr@theknot.com.

The Knot Best of Weddings magazine is available for $9.99 on
newsstands and in major bookstores nationwide, and at
TheKnot.com/shop. To speak with an editor or with brides in your area,
please contact The Knot Press Office at pr@theknot.com.
High-resolution photos and visuals can be provided electronically or
through the mail.

About The Knot Inc.

The Knot Inc. (NASDAQ: KNOT, www.theknot.com) is a leading
lifestage media company. The Company's flagship brand, The Knot, is
the nation's leading wedding resource, reaching well over one million
engaged couples each year through the #1 wedding website TheKnot.com,
The Knot Wedding magazines, The Knot books (published by Random House
and Chronicle), and several television series bearing The Knot name
(on Style Network, Oxygen, and Comcast). The Nest focuses on the
newlywed-to-pregnancy lifestage with the popular lifestyle website
TheNest.com, a home decor book series with Clarkson Potter, The Nest
magazine, and baby offshoot TheNestBaby.com and The Bump. Also under
The Knot Inc. umbrella are e-commerce and service sites for weddings
(WeddingChannel.com, ShopforWeddings.com, WedORama.com,
GiftRegistryLocator.com); party planning site PartySpot.com;
teen-oriented PromSpot.com; online personals site GreatBoyfriends.com;
and local baby services and community site Lilaguide.com. The Knot
Inc. is based in New York and has several other offices across the
country.

Media:
The Knot Inc.
Melissa Bauer, 212-219-8555 x 1020
Sr. Public Relations Manager
mbauer@theknot.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008