Marriage: a budget down 17%
If the desire to marry remains strong for 41% of the French, it will not be done at any price. The average budget envisaged by the bride and groom is 7,576 euros in 2024, a decrease of 17% compared to our previous Sofinscope in 2022. In addition to the economic aspect, 1 couple out of 2 says they are attentive to the eco-responsible aspect of their marriage. To meet these two challenges, the bride and groom opt for different strategies, ranging from the choice of committed providers to the use of second hand.
KEY FIGURES
WEDDING BUDGET DOWN 17%
In 2024, the average budget for a wedding is estimated at 7,576 euros, a significant decrease of 1,312 euros compared to 2022. This decrease can be explained by the desire to organize more intimate ceremonies (65% of brides and grooms) with fewer guests. Couples plan to invite an average of 53 people compared to 58 in 2022. They want to reduce the costs associated with renting the room and the catering budget.
The search for savings is also illustrated in other traditionally expensive items of expenditure. 74% of French people say they are ready to decorate their wedding themselves and 33% of couples could organize a surprise wedding. We can thus see a willingness of the French to marry in a more reasonable way, without sacrificing the importance of this unique moment in their lives.
ECO-RESPONSIBLE MARRIAGE, A TREND THAT IS TAKING HOLD
Opting for an eco-responsible wedding becomes more feasible and 37% of French people think that such an event is no more complicated to organize than a classic wedding (+6pts vs 2022). This development is in line with a growing concern for the environment. Thus, 47% of the French would take into consideration the eco-responsible nature of their marriage if it took place tomorrow in order to limit its environmental impact. More than 6 couples out of 10 (62%) indicate that they will opt for an eco-responsible place and / or caterer and will rely on committed services by favoring local and seasonal products.
Reducing the number of guests, which is justified for economic reasons, is also a choice that will reduce the carbon footprint of marriage, by limiting transport and consumption.
At the same time, second-hand marriage codes are also important, as nearly half of women (48%) consider this solution for their wedding dress, and 23% of French people think about it for their wedding rings.
MARRIAGE IS MAINLY FINANCED BY PERSONAL SAVINGS
In terms of financing, personal savings remain the main source of financing for 7 out of 10 couples while 38% will opt for the flexibility of payment in several installments. The help of parents and relatives will also be appreciated by 37% of couples, whether it is a direct financial contribution or the assumption of certain expenses. Among the complementary solutions is also credit, envisaged by 1 couple out of 5.
Our Sofinscope 2024 study on marriage highlights two strong trends: the desire for future brides and grooms to achieve a more environmentally friendly event with the use of second-hand and committed service providers; and also the desire for a more minimalist wedding, especially for budgetary reasons. The sector has every interest in adapting to these new trends and making the organization of an eco-responsible wedding accessible to as many people as possible.
Any total or partial publication must use the following statement: “Sofinscope – OpinionWay Barometer for Sofinco”.
Sofinco Press Service : Claire Garcia – presse@ca-cf.fr / +33(0)6 80 41 17 77
About Sofinscope
Sofinscope is the barometer of Sofinco, a brand of Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance. Intended to survey the French on their consumption habits and to better understand them, this barometer which is part of the daily lives of the French is carried out by OpinionWay for Sofinco, with representative samples of the French population.This study was conducted on a sample of 1,027 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over. The sample was selected according to the quota method, taking into account the criteria of sex, age, socio-occupational category, agglomeration category and region of residence. The interviews were conducted from January 31 to February 1, 2024 by self-administered online questionnaire on a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) system. All results are available online on the Sofinscope website