How Belgians get married today: 10 things that will surprise you

25/08/2025 09:00 | Trends

What is on the minds of couples who are getting married today or making plans for 2025, 2026 or the coming years? What is changing in terms of habits, preferences and budgets? We have listed the ten most striking and recognisable insights from the National Marriage Survey, our market research involving more than 1,000 Belgian respondents.

Photo (above): Photographer: Kristel Cuyvers

1. Online love is the new norm

Our National Marriage Survey revealed that 29% of couples getting married today met online. In 2022, this figure was only 19%. This means that apps and dating sites have now become the most popular place to meet, ahead of friends, family or school.

2. Traditional proposals, with a twist

85% of proposals are still made on one knee. In almost 1 in 13 cases, it is the woman who proposes. Also striking: 41% of marriage proposals happen on holiday, and only 2% announce their engagement immediately on social media. In contrast, 49% first enjoy the moment together, just the two of them, and 17% call their friends and family straight away.

An engagement ring is a must for 95% of couples. It is usually chosen by the partner and purchased from a jeweller or designer. Diamonds remain by far the most popular gemstone.

3. How much does a wedding cost on average?

Couples who recently got married spent around €25,500 to €27,000. Engaged couples who are getting married in 2025 or the coming years estimate their average costs at €31,750. More than 40% of engaged couples are planning a budget of over €25,000, and 34% (1 in 3) are planning over €30,000, with almost 10% even planning €50,000 or more.

84% of couples exceed their initial budget. More than 1 in 3 couples end up spending €3,000 or more than planned.

4. Getting married = planning

63% of couples say that one of them (usually the woman in heterosexual couples) takes on most of the organisation. In 26.2% of cases, both partners do about the same amount. In only 10.2% of cases, the man is mainly responsible for the planning.

Two out of three couples start planning their wedding immediately after the proposal. Almost one in five even start planning before the proposal. Most couples spend one to two hours a day planning their wedding, for an average of 15.5 months. Most couples therefore spend a total of around 200 to 400 hours on their wedding preparations.

The checklist from House of Weddings is the most popular planning tool. Pinterest (used by 65.3% of couples), wedding platform House of Weddings (65%) and Instagram (56%) are the main sources of inspiration.

5. Symbolism is gaining ground

47% opt for a symbolic ceremony, compared to 32% who get married in a church. The father remains the most popular person to walk the bride down the aisle (61%), although 1 in 6 opt for both parents or an alternative.

54% plan a first look moment before the ceremony. Two out of three couples sleep together the night before their wedding.

6. From wedding day to wedding weekend

One in five couples getting married today opt for a wedding weekend instead of a more traditional wedding day. Destination weddings are also gaining popularity: 9.8% of engaged couples want to get married abroad, compared to 4.3% of recently married couples who have already done so.

Live music, food trucks and personal touches ensure an experience that is entirely tailored to the couple. The experience comes first.

7. Styling? Warm, intimate and pink

The most popular atmospheres among Belgians getting married today are warm and intimate (41%) or festive and relaxed (33%). Pink remains the most popular styling colour, followed by green, beige and gold. 63% consciously choose a colour theme.

8. Photography is sacred

Photography is the item on which couples are least willing to save. Images are lifelong memories, and couples are well aware of this.

9. AI as a wedding sidekick

12% of engaged couples have already experimented with AI for their wedding planning. Have you worked with Helena from House of Weddings, our AI Wedding Planning Assistant?

10. Honeymoon? Yes, please!

The most popular destinations for honeymoons are Bali, Italy, Mexico, South Africa and Japan. 40% plan their honeymoon through a travel agency. Most couples getting married today spend between €2,000 and €5,000, and 1 in 10 couples spend more than €8,000 on this unique trip.

Curious about all the results? Read the full article with the results of the National Wedding Survey 2025 here.

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