New Data: Brides Spending More, Travel Up

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jun 01 (MARKET WIRE) --
The results are in and the brides have spoken. According to Weddingbells'
Annual Reader Survey(i), released today, the current economic situation
hasn't put a damper on the wedding industry, with the average expected
cost of the big day increasing in 2009. New trends are also emerging with
a 29 per cent increase in the number of brides including travel on their
wedding gift registries. Honeymoons have never been hotter (literally, as
all-inclusive resorts increase their lead with a 12% jump) and February
has never been colder. Traditionally a popular month for popping the
question, February once ranked second, but now sits in the eighth spot
for month of engagements.

Data shows that brides are willing to spend close to $20,000 to make
their dream day come true, plus the additional cost of the honeymoon
which many are now adding to their registry. "With so much planning
involved in a wedding, many couples are willing to splurge, particularly
on a fabulous honeymoon" says Alison McGill, Editor-in-Chief,
Weddingbells. "We're seeing more couples including their honeymoon on
their registry so that they can really kick back and relax without the
stress of picking up the tab themselves."

Additional highlights from Weddingbells' Annual Reader Survey:

Popping the question

- Nearly half (48%) of grooms asked permission from the father of the
bride

- 59 per cent of grooms got down on one knee

- 89 per cent of brides received a ring; 28% of couples picked it out
together

- 21 per cent of engagements took place in December (top month)

Here comes the bride

- Average age of engaged woman is 29.5

- 75 per cent of couples already live together before getting married

- Expected cost of a wedding is $19,274 (up from $17,300 in 2007 and
$19,038 in 2008)

- 89 per cent of grooms won't see the wedding dress until the big day

- 9 out of 10 brides (91%) have no qualms about sex before marriage

Something old, something new, something....

- Nearly half of couples (46%) foot the bill with their savings, 16 per
cent take out loans, 32 per cent rely on family contributions

- 69 per cent of brides plan to take their fiance's last name

- 41 per cent think there is nothing wrong with returning a wedding gift
for cash

- 22 per cent say a prenup is the way to go

- 19 per cent have more disagreements with their fiance since becoming
engaged; yet 55 per cent say passion is up

- Nearly one quarter (22%) admit they are not completely over their ex

(i)The Weddingbells' Reader Survey was conducted online from January 24
to February 16, 2009 by Nooro Online Inc. A national sample of 1,344
engaged readers participated in the survey. Confidence interval:
plus/minus 2.7%, 19 times out of 20. A complete summary of results is
featured on www.weddingbells.ca/results.

About Weddingbells

Weddingbells is the modern, savvy, style-conscious Canadian bride-to-be's
authority on all aspects of wedding planning including: fashion, beauty,
reception details, registry and honeymoon travel. Weddingbells publishes
five different editions twice annually, targeting 11 different regional
areas across the country.

About St. Joseph Media

St. Joseph Media publishes Weddingbells, Mariage Quebec, FASHION
Magazine, Toronto Life, WHERE Canada magazines, Canadian Family, Quill &
Quire and Ottawa Magazine. St. Joseph Media is a division of St. Joseph
Communications, Canada's largest privately owned communications company,
with four distinct business platforms: content, print, documents and
media.

Contacts:
For more information, or to arrange an interview with
Alison McGill, please contact: St. Joseph Media
Karen Cleveland
Marketing and Communications Manager
416.364.3333 x 3046
kcleveland@stjosephmedia.com

St. Joseph Media
Veronica O'Brien
Marketing and Promotions Associate
416.364.3333 x 3143
vobrien@stjosephmedia.com

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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