It's safe to say that couples today have more freedom to express their love in unique ways. With the help of the internet, couples are seeking inspiration from various social media platforms, making it challenging to stick to traditional paths and often prompting them to find unique and quirky ways to add excitement!
In this article we'll dive into wedding customs and trends in America, Europe and India!
Wedding Guest Size Around The World
Every couple is different - some couples have always dreamed of having a big celebration where they can invite all of their childhood friends, distant family members, and work colleagues with whom they can celebrate their love and share their joy. I think that is absolutely amazing! While others decide to pack their bags, travel across the globe, and have an intimate ceremony while exploring distant cultures, and that is also absolutely amazing! When love is at the center of it all - you can't go wrong! So let's see how big of a party couples throw from around the world:
First place goes to India - the average guest count at an Indian wedding is 326.
Second place goes to North America, where the average guest count is 177 (although countries in North America differ - the average guest count in Mexico is 146, in Canada it is 92 and the average wedding guest count in USA is 115 ).
Third place goes to South America, where the average wedding size is 109 guests.
Europeans love smaller receptions, so the average guest count in Europe is 105 (although the average number for the UK is only 80 while the average number for the Spain is 121)
Wedding Vendors Employment Around The World
Wedding planning often can be stressful for the couples especially the ones who decided to have a bigger traditional wedding - that's why they hire as much help as they can get. From photographers, wedding planners, officiants, caterers, make-up artists and many more happy couples rely on their help and expertise. Let's see which countries rely on vendors the most and which ones like to tackle the challenge themselves:
North America ranks second in terms of the number of guests invited to weddings but takes the top spot in vendor employment, with an average of 12 vendors per wedding.
India and Europe tie for second place in terms of guest numbers, averaging 10 vendors per wedding. This is noteworthy since Indian weddings typically host up to three times more guests than European weddings.
South America is in third place, where couples typically hire an average of 9 vendors per wedding.
Popularity of Destination Weddings Around The World
Love, travel, and family - couples who choose to organize their wedding overseas understand the thrill and simultaneous stress of wedding planning. However, in my opinion, the additional effort is worthwhile. Traveling with your loved ones offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate while exploring together. Let's explore how couples feel about planning weddings in various countries abroad:
Destination weddings are especially favored in North America, with 16% of couples choosing to get married abroad. This figure differs significantly by country, as 20% of Mexican couples select a destination wedding, whereas only 9% of Canadians opt for an overseas marriage. The US follows closely behind Mexico, with 19% of couples choosing this option.
India is in second place, with 15% of couples choosing to marry overseas. This is unexpected, given that Indian weddings are generally larger events, requiring extensive logistics to accommodate all the guests.
In South America, merely 4% of couples decide to marry overseas, and this percentage drops further in Europe, where only 3% of couples choose a destination wedding.
Conclusion
Wedding traditions really differ around the world, showing off the unique cultures and values of couples. For example, in India, weddings can get huge with about 326 guests, while in Europe, it’s more about cozy gatherings with around 105 friends and family. Plus, North America stands out for using more wedding vendors, showing a trend towards professional help for those big celebrations.
Destination weddings are also on the rise, especially in North America and India as couples look to tie the knot in beautiful spots abroad. This mix of adventure and intimacy shows how weddings are changing, blending personal styles with cultural influences. Whether it’s a big bash or a small getaway, love is what really counts, making every wedding a special moment to remember.
Also if you're one of those couples deciding to elope abroad check out my blog for useful tips on travelling, elopement planning and more!
Refrence Data: The Knot WorldWide; 2024 Global Wedding Report 2025. https://www.theknotww.com/blog/b-company_news/2024-global-wedding-report/
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