Results are in from our biennial survey of more than 100 newlywed couples; they tell us how they planned, how much they spent—and if it was all worth it!
ABOUT THE LOOK
► 85% of brides had their makeup done professionally
► October - Most popular month to get married
Runner-ups: September, May and June
► Least Popular Months to Get Married - January and February
Most Popular Wedding Colors
- Blue
- White
- Pink
- Black
- Green
- Gold
Other Beauty Services
- Professional makeup - 84%
- Teeth whitening/orthodontics - 43%
- Spray tan - 50%
- Waxing - 38%
- Facials - 42%
- Invested in a skincare regimen - 34%
- Eyebrows (microblading, tinting, other) - 26%
- Professional hair - 67%
- Started a fitness routine - 34%
Most Shopped Local Jewelers
- Sissy's Log Cabin* (Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Conway & Jonesboro)
- Underwood's Fine Jewelers (Fayetteville)
- The Diamond Center (Fayetteville & Fort Smith)
- Blakeman's Fine Jewelry* (Rogers)
- Pagan's Jewelry (Jonesboro)
- Brook's Fine Jewelry (Conway)
- Cecil's Fine Jewelry (Little Rock)
The Wedding Party
- 6 - Average number of bridesmaids
- 54% had six or more bridesmaids
Bridesmaids Style
- All different - 27%
- All matching - 46%
- Allowed them to choose their own - 27%
Groom & Groomsmen Attire
- Tuxedos - 48%
- Suits - 41%
- Other - 11%
ABOUT THE PLANNING
► 55% of brides hired a wedding planner
► 31% of brides had a day-of coordinator only (hired or included with venue)
► 14% hired neither
► 70% of couples booked the wedding venue first
► 42% of couples struggled most with nailing down the guest list
► Average length of engagement - 11 months
- 0-5 months - 6% of couples
- 5-10 months - 26% of couples
- 10-15 months - 51% of couples
- 15+ months - 17% of couples
Most Loved for Finding Inspiration
- Arkansas Bride
- TikTok
Used Arkansas Bride Most to Help Them Find…
- Florists
- Wedding dress/wedding attire
- Photographers
- Rentals
- Venues
- Wedding planners and coordinators
► 26 - Average age of Arkansas newlyweds
► 226 - Average number of wedding guests
► Trend alert! Big weddings are back! The average in 2020 was 174
Q: How big was your wedding?
- 100-200 guests - 49%
- 200-300 guests - 29%
- 300-400 guests - 18%
- 400+ guests - 4%
WHO, WHAT, WHERE?
Top Rehearsal Dinner Spots
- 21c Museum Hotel (Bentonville)
- 501 Prime (Hot Springs)
- Cache Restaurant (Little Rock)
- The Capital Hotel (Little Rock)
- Country Club of Little Rock (Little Rock)
- Crystal Ridge Distillery* (Hot Springs)
- Cypress Social* (Maumelle)
- Fox Creek BBQ (Batesville)
- The Recovery Room (Jonesboro)
- The River Bar & Grill (Little Rock)
- Theo's Fayetteville (Fayetteville)
- YaYa's Euro Bistro (Little Rock)
The Ceremony
- 78% - Most couples hosted their ceremony and reception at the same venue
Top Chapel
Most Used Reception Venues
- Legacy Acres*
- Clinton Presidential Center*
- Cold Springs Events
- Private property
- The Venue at Stonebrook Meadows
- Marlsgate*
Followed by… Robinson Center, Osage House*, The Reserve Hot Springs, Little Rock Marriott*, Inn at Carnall Hall*, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art*, Chenal Country Club, The Record and The Ballroom at I Street*
ABOUT THE BUDGET
► 33% of couples surveyed said their photographer was their favorite splurge
► 50% of Arkansas wedding budgets were $30,001+
► $3,080 - average spent on photography
► $2,056 - average spent on the wedding dress
More Average Spends
- Venue - $5,703
- Flowers - $3,076
- Planner/coordinator - $1,632
► 32% of couples spent more than $5,000 on flowers
Invitation Costs
- 0-$500 - 64%
- $500-$1,000 - 14%
- $1,000+ - 22%
Most Shopped Local Bridal Boutiques
► 59% of couples did a first look
The Food
- Buffet - 73%
- Sit-down service - 22%
- Appetizers/hors d'oeuvres only - 6%
Libations
- Open bar - 41%
- Beer and wine only - 29%
- Did not serve alcohol - 22%
ICING ON THE CAKE
Most Visited Honeymoon Destinations
- Dominican Republic
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Mexico
► 36% said their honeymoon was a gift (and cost them nothing!)
Wedding Registry Most Wanted
- China/dishes
- Vacuums
- Money/honeymoon funds
- Kitchen Aid stand mixers
- Coffee makers/espresso machines
Most Loved Vendors
We asked couples which vendors they’d recommend future brides hire too, and here are the pros whose names just kept coming up!
- Alyssa Simpson Photos*
- Amanda Reed Weddings*
- Belle & Blush*
- Cabbage Rose*
- Cameron and Elizabeth Photography*
- Chelsea Duff Photography*
- Clinton Presidential Center & Catering*
- Count In Threes Photo*
- Emily Quigley Photography*
- Heather Jenkins Photography*
- Jayce Keil Photography & Videography*
- Low's Bridal & Formal*
- Ollie Marie’s Floral Design*
- Paige Seidenschwarz Photo and Video*
- Ryanne ODonnell Photography*
- She Said Yes Bridal*
- Silks-A-Bloom*
- Tanarah Luxe Floral*
- The Powers Photo + Film*
- The Stables at Cherokee Creek*
- Tipton & Hurst*
- Unveiled Bridal Collection*
- The Villar Photo Co.*
