SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wedding season has officially arrived and it’s time to get excited! Being a best man or a maid of honor is just that – an honor – and according to new research from Wedding Paper Divas, it is way more fun than it’s cracked up to be.
While it is common to hear about wedding party woes this time of year (think ill-fitting dresses, lengthy travel and a depleted bank account), the truth is being involved in a wedding is an overwhelmingly positive privilege! In fact, 96 percent say their efforts were valued and only 2 percent of wedding parties reported a negative experience.
In celebration of wedding parties, Wedding Paper Divas conducted a survey to better understand the time and effort put forth by these incredible wedding warriors – most of whom are attending an average of 2-3 weddings a year. This special group regularly goes above and beyond, with the majority of participants reporting at least one “heroic wedding moment” on the big day.
Offering both emotional and tactical support, the wedding parties are eager to help – and they do! 85 percent report helping with planning or organizing and, in the month leading up to the wedding, they exchange an average of 143 wedding-related text messages and 87 emails.
“Wedding Paper Divas knows that behind every impeccably planned shower, peppy party playlist and surprise reception slideshow are the unsung heroes – the bridesmaids (or men) and groomsmen (or girls),” said Amber Harrison, style and trend expert for Wedding Paper Divas. “They have tissue at the ready, keep cakes from collapsing and coax flower girls down the aisle, all while wearing coordinating party attire. This wedding season, don’t forget to recognize those who would do anything for you.”
There are a million things couples can do to thank their wedding parties for the late night chat sessions and the endless support. Harrison suggests a special outing, meaningful gift or even a personal call-out at the event itself. You can find even more wedding planning advice and etiquette guidance on Harrison’s new web series, Small talk. Big day.
Pop the question
Surprise! 71 percent of wedding parties were at least somewhat surprised by the invitation to play a role. Getting creative with wedding party “proposals” is a fun way to honor those closest to you and is becoming the norm, with 62 percent of wedding parties being asked in a meaningful way.
**Pro tip: Celebrate each member of the wedding party individually when you pop the question, or invite everyone to a special brunch where they receive the invitation together!
Talk or text?
Get this: guys have the gift of gab! A whopping 54 percent of groomsmen preferred phone to text or email. In this digital age, texting is a convenient and popular way to communicate but when it comes to wedding business, 42 percent of all wedding parties reported phone calls were their primary method communication.
**Pro tip: Regardless of the method, clear, concise communication is key. Be direct and clearly outline what you need and when you need it. Collaborative online organization tools or wedding apps are a huge help for storing and sharing important wedding-related info.
The bridesmaids dress dilemma
The majority of female wedding party members get to provide input on attire – 71 percent of them to be exact – and 96 percent of gals reported liking or loving their dress. Unfortunately, it seems to be a short-lived love affair. More than half say they wouldn’t even consider wearing it again.
**Pro tip: Let the gals each pick their own style in coordinating shades so they feel comfortable and beautiful. Or try a classic and versatile piece that can be styled differently for a totally fresh post-wedding look. If it is obvious this is a one-time wear, be mindful of the price.
Do boys have more fun?
Research revealed that best men and groomsmen (and a handful of groomsgirls) had the best time! In fact, not a single best man reported a completely negative experience. The downside? While best men spend an average of nearly 40 hours helping, advising or supporting the groom, 30 percent of groomsmen did not receive a thank you gift.
**Pro tip: Fellas, don’t forget to recognize your pals with a personal gift or heartfelt thank you note. Cufflinks or ties for them to wear on the wedding day don’t count.
Best day ever!
Supporting the bride or groom on such a momentous day topped the list of most favorite and memorable aspects of a wedding. Of course, dancing, eating and drinking are right up there too. Bridesmaids overwhelmingly loved getting ready with the bride. And the groomsmen got emotional too, expressing how special it was to be a part of such an important day.
**Pro tip: Allow for some intimate time with your wedding party on the big day. The memories of those few hours spent together will be cherished for many years to come!
* An online survey of 1,000 males and females, age 22 to 34, who participated in at least one wedding party in 2014 was conducted March 2 to 9, 2015 by Decipher, Inc. Results have a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
About Wedding Paper Divas
As leaders in wedding stationery, Wedding Paper Divas offers a wide breadth of stylish and personalized stationery for every style and budget, including save the dates, wedding invitations, thank you cards, bridal shower invitations and more. Customers can choose from a variety of premium papers and printing techniques and can further customize their design with color, font and trim options. Every order is reviewed by a wedding stationery specialist to ensure it's flawless. For more information about Wedding Paper Divas visit www.weddingpaperdivas.com.
Wedding Paper Divas is part of the Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY) family of premium lifestyle brands which includes: Shutterfly, Tiny Prints, Wedding Paper Divas, MyPublisher, ThisLife and BorrowLenses. For more information on Shutterfly, Inc. visit www.shutterflyinc.com.
