How will you propose? 2024 Engagement trends revealed
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The YSW team has recently been gripped by Love is Blind UK – can you blame us? It’s practically homework!
However, if the idea of getting down on one knee facing a blank wall isn’t your thing take inspiration from jeweller Queensmith‘s 2024 Marriage Proposal Report.
After surveying 1,000 customers thecompany has pieced together a view of proposals this year and some of the stats may surprise you.
Grab a cuppa and have a nosy at the main take-aways…
1. Most proposals happen in your 30s
Over half of the survey’s respondents became engaged between the ages of 30 and 35.
However, the 25-29 age group wasn’t far behind, making up 26% of all engagements.
Interestingly, 1% chose to tie the knot over 60.
2. December is the most popular month to propose
We didn’t need a survey to tell us December is the most magical time of the year, especially for marriage-minded couples.
Every year we see a veritable flurry of to-be-weds popping the question in December.
And according to the survey it’s the most popular time of year to ask “Will you marry me?”, followed by May and August.
However, 40% of respondents said they avoid proposing on special occasions like Christmas, Valentine’s Day or birthdays.
3. Intimate, cost-conscious engagements are on the up
Nearly half of those surveyed proposed close to home.
Eddi Norris, gemmologist and design expert at Queensmith says, “We’re seeing an uplift in more intimate proposals happening closer to home, with engagements happening during walks, at UK beaches, or during staycations.
“This emerging trend of slow proposals could relate to the cost of living as we see people spending more time and money on getting the right ring that will last forever rather than spending their budget on a big, showy proposal.
“Even when customers are proposing abroad, we have observed that they are more intimate, taking place in places like hotel balconies and on walks.”
4. Proposal costs average £1,450.62
And that’s before you even include the ring!!
However, 19% of respondents actually said the proposal cost nothing, keeping the moment simple and stripped back.
5. Surprise remains key
Despite lengthy planning, over 80% of proposals were a surprise to the one being asked with 85% saying they hadn’t discussed marriage plans before!
6. Planning takes time
41% of those surveyed said they took over three months to plan their proposal, deciding when, where and how they were going to get down on one knee.
And a quarter of people purchased the ring two months before asking the question.
7. Family fortunes
Half of those questioned actually shared their proposal plans with someone else ahead of the big question, with parents being the most commonly involved in ring selection, planning and emotional support.
8. Most couples married within a year of the proposal
In the last year or so we’ve seen a high number of the couples whose weddings we feature within the pages of the YSW magazine or on the website turn their wedding around quickly.
And that’s echoed in this survey, with the average time between an engagement and the wedding being within a year.
Just over a quarter were married within two years, and a further 19% tied the knot within 18 months.
Do you find any of these stats surprising?
Let us know your thoughts at editorial@yourscottishwedding.co.uk
