Zo trouwen Belgen vandaag: deze 10 dingen gaan je verrassen (en)

Photo (above): Photographer: Kristel Cuyvers

1. Online love is the new norm

From our National Wedding Survey, it was revealed that 29% of couples getting married today met online. In 2022, this was 19%. This makes apps and dating sites now the most popular meeting place, ahead of friends, family, or school.

2. Traditional proposal, with a twist

85% of proposals are still done on one knee. In nearly 1 in 13 cases, it is the woman who proposes. Notably, 41% of marriage proposals happen on vacation, and only 2% announce the engagement immediately on social media. Instead, 49% enjoy the moment together, and 17% call their friends and family right away.

An engagement ring is part of it for 95% of couples. The ring is usually chosen by the partner and bought from a jeweler or designer. Diamond remains by far the most popular gemstone.

3. What does a wedding cost on average?

Couples who recently married spent about 25,500 to 27,000 euros. Engaged couples who will marry in 2025 or the coming years estimate their costs at around 31,750 euros. More than 40% of engaged couples plan a budget over 25,000 euros, and 34% (1 in 3) plan above 30,000 euros, with nearly 10% even 50,000 euros or more.

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

4. Getting married = planning

63% of couples indicate that one of them (usually the woman in heterosexual couples) takes on most of the organization. In 26.2% of cases, both partners do approximately equally. In only 10.2%, the man primarily handles the planning.

2 out of 3 couples start planning their wedding immediately after the proposal. Nearly 1 in 5 begins even before the proposal. Most couples spend 1 to 2 hours a day planning their wedding, on average 15.5 months. Thus, most couples spend about 200 to 400 hours in total on their wedding preparations.

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

5. Symbolism is gaining ground

47% choose a symbolic ceremony, compared to 32% who wed in the church. The father remains the most popular escort to the altar (61%), although 1 in 6 opts for both parents or an alternative.

54% plan a first look moment before the ceremony. 2 out of 3 couples simply sleep together the night before their wedding.

6. From wedding day to wedding weekend

1 out of 5 couples marrying today opts for a wedding weekend instead of a more traditional wedding day. Destination weddings are also gaining popularity: 9.8% of engaged couples want to marry abroad, versus 4.3% of recently married couples who have done so.

Live music, food trucks, and personal touches create an experience that perfectly matches the couple. Experience takes precedence.

7. Styling? Warm, intimate, and pink

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

8. Photography is sacred

• Photography is the expense that couples prefer not to cut back on. Photos are lifelong memories, and couples are well aware of that.

  

  9. AI as wedding sidekick

  12% of engaged couples have experimented with AI for their wedding planning. Have you worked with Helena of 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 marrying today spend between 2,000 and 5,000 euros, and 1 out of 10 couples spends more than 8,000 euros on this unique trip.

  

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

• How much does it cost to get married in 2025 (and who pays for it)? The National Wedding Survey reveals everything
• Wedding Trends 2025: The 12 biggest trends for the party of all parties
• The 15 hottest wedding dress trends for 2026 every bride wants to know
• Groom suit trends 2026: these 6 styles make the difference