With large gatherings impossible under COVID-19 restrictions, and uncertainty over just how long it will be before they’re permitted once again, people have had to re-imagine what their weddings could look like.
A new study from PromoLeaf reveals people’s comfort level in regards to attending a wedding, how far they would travel to attend one, and much more. The results show just how much has changed in people’s thinking about weddings in general since the onset of COVID-19.
Survey highlights:
- When asked about what safety precautions, if any, would make them feel most comfortable, just over 6% said no safety precautions would make them most comfortable and 7.5% said they would not feel comfortable attending a wedding before a vaccine was widely available. They could choose up to three options and there were a wide variety of other answers:
— 30% favored temperature checks for every attendee at the door.
— 39% favored social distancing being enforced.
— Only 11% favored gloves being worn all the time.
— 41% preferred that everyone mask up.
— 34% preferred an outdoor venue.
— 42% preferred hand sanitizer for each guest.
— 23% favored handwashing stations.
- How many guests are too many? Under 1% would be comfortable with 200 guests or more, and the median preference was 50 guests. The largest percentage of respondents, just over 24% would prefer a relatively small number of guests, under 20. Only 11% would be comfortable with a guest list larger than 100.
- When asked to pick three things they mist most about weddings, over half of respondents (53%) said they miss hugs and interacting with the bride and groom, family, and friends. Followed by dancing on the dance floor (35%), buffets (29%), and 27% miss open bars, primarily male respondents.
Southeastern responses:
| Question: Which of the following statements best apply to you in relation to traveling to a wedding that’s happening before a vaccination is available? | |
| I would be willing to travel anywhere for a wedding that’s within a 50-mile drive of where I live | 23.85% |
| I would be willing to travel anywhere for a wedding that’s within a 100-mile drive of where I live | 18.08% |
| I would be willing to travel anywhere for a wedding that’s within a 200-mile drive of where I live | 21.54% |
| I would be willing to fly to a wedding destination, as long as the flight is no more than 2-5 hours long | 7.69% |
| I would be willing to fly to another state for a wedding, but not if it is more than 8 hours long. | 7.69% |
| I would be willing to fly to another state/country regardless of how far away it is | 6.15% |
| None of the above | 15.00% |
| Question: If you had to travel to a wedding happening before a vaccine is available, where would you be most comfortable traveling to? | |
| Northeast region of US | 14.23% |
| Southeast region of US | 46.54% |
| Midwest region of US | 16.92% |
| Southwest region of US | 15.77% |
| Western region of US | 7.31% |
| I would not be most comfortable traveling to anywhere if I had to travel for a wedding happening before a vaccine is available | 26.15% |
| **respondents could choose up to three locations | |
