Results are in from our biennial survey of more than 100 newlywed couples; they tell us how they planned, how much they spentโand if it was all worth it!
ABOUT THE LOOK
โบ 85% of brides had their makeup done professionally
โบ October – Most popular month to get married
Runner-ups: September, May and June
โบ Least Popular Months to Get Marriedย – 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 –ย 27%
- All matching –ย 46%
- Allowed them to choose their own –ย 27%
Groom & Groomsmen Attire
- Tuxedos –ย 48%
- Suits –ย 41%
- Other –ย 11%
ABOUT THE PLANNING
โบ 55% of brides hired a wedding planner
โบ 31% of brides had a day-of coordinator only (hired or included with venue)
โบ 14% hired neither
โบ 70% of couplesย booked the wedding venueย first
โบ 42% of couples struggled most with nailing down the guest list
โบ Average length of engagement – 11 months
- 0-5 months –ย 6% of couples
- 5-10 months –ย 26% of couples
- 10-15 months –ย 51% of couples
- 15+ months –ย 17% of couples
Most Loved for Finding Inspiration
- Arkansas Bride
- TikTok
Used Arkansas Bride Most to Help Them Findโฆ
- Florists
- Wedding dress/wedding attire
- Photographers
- Rentals
- Venues
- Wedding planners and coordinators
โบ 26 – Average age of Arkansas newlyweds
โบ 226 – Average number of wedding guests
โบ Trend alert! Big weddings are back! The average in 2020 was 174
Q: How big was your wedding?
- 100-200 guests –ย 49%
- 200-300 guests –ย 29%
- 300-400 guests –ย 18%
- 400+ guests –ย 4%
WHO, WHAT, WHERE?
Top Rehearsalย 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%ย – 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 byโฆ Robinson Center,ย Osage House*,ย The Reserve Hot Springs,ย Little Rock Marriott*,ย Inn at Carnall Hall*, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art*, Chenal Country Club, The Record and The Ballroom at I Street*
ABOUT THE BUDGET
โบ 33% of couples surveyed said their photographer was their favorite splurge
โบ 50% of Arkansas wedding budgets were $30,001+
โบ $3,080 – average spent on photography
โบ $2,056 – average spent on the wedding dress
More Average Spends
- Venue – $5,703
- Flowers – $3,076
- Planner/coordinator – $1,632
โบ 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
โบ 59% of couples did a first look
The Food
- Buffet –ย 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
โบ 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 theyโd 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*
- ย Jayce Keil Photography & Videography*
- Low’s Bridal & Formal*
- Ollie Marieโs 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.*