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September 19, 2011

2011 Engagement & Jewelry Study

from TheKnot.com & WeddingChannel.com

Some big trends for the year?
-          Majority of Grooms’ Ring Selection Not Affected by the Economy.
Only 14% of grooms claimed to have downsized the engagement ring due to the economic climate. In fact, one in four grooms spent more than he originally budgeted.
-          Customization Is Key.
Whether they completely designed the ring on their own with a jeweler or made custom changes to an existing design, approximately two out of five grooms (41%) are choosing to add personal elements to the engagement ring.
-          Alternative Metals Increasingly Popular for Grooms.
Although white gold is still the most popular wedding band metal, with approximately one in three grooms (34%) choosing it, alternative metals are becoming increasingly popular. In 2011, 27% of grooms chose tungsten (up from 19% for grooms married in 2008) and 16% chose titanium (up from 13% for grooms married in 2008).
-          Tradition Is Making a Comeback.
The majority of grooms are taking tradition to heart when they propose. In fact, 77% of grooms proposed on bended knee (compared with 70% in 2009) and 71% asked the bride’s parents for permission (compared with 62% of grooms engaged in 2008) before popping the question.
-          Proposals are Becoming More Public.
While a proposal’s always a private moment, they’re increasingly becoming more public affairs. In 2009, 68% of grooms proposed privately, while that number dropped to just over half (57%) in 2011. Perhaps that’s why 43% of grooms meticulously planned the proposal down to the last detail and only 10% of grooms “winged” it.
-          Man-gagement Rings Are the New Trend.
Brides aren’t the only ones with engagement rings these days. Grooms are now opting to wear “man-gagement” rings; 5% of grooms wear an engagement ring along with the bride.

5 nuggets of thought:

Wedding Invitations said...

Wow! Thanks for posting this, I'm definitely going to share this with my friends.

Tungsten Ring Fan said...

I am a fan of tungsten rings and it seems there is an increase in popularity. I do understand white gold is more traditional.

This is very informative and I am glad to see men are becoming more traditional.

RoseAllen@ Hawaii Wedding said...

Proposals have indeed come a long way from its traditional secret kind of way. People now are more adventurous and lots of uniqueness and styles of surprise is really up to the ladies out there.

David Ritchson said...

I've seen greatly planned proposals and engagements which leaves tears of joy to the person you love, but if you're one of the guys that has no time to go to a jewelry shop to choose the perfect ring, there are online jewelry store nowadays to make it easier for you.

Christina said...

I think it is great that engagments are changing just a little. I think it is great for a man to have a ring, letting the world know he is off the market!