MajorsFeb 15, 2022
Kelly Waters Launches Wedding Party Gift Catalog SurveysFeb 16, 2022
Here Comes … A Lot of Couples Getting Married
The number of weddings is expected to near 2.5 million in the United States this year, a number not seen since 1984.
An estimated 2.5 million to 2.6 million U.S. couples are expected to tie the knot this year, the highest number since the mid-‘80s. Shane McMurray, CEO of The Wedding Report, attributes the increase to pent-up demand from 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic forced couples to postpone their weddings.
New York—In terms of organizing large-scale events, the last few years have felt a little like learning how to drive a stick shift—difficult at first, with a lot of jerky starts and stops and plenty of unexpected stalls.
Members of the jewelry industry are well-aware of these difficulties, with the industry’s stable annual slate of events turned upside-down for going on three years now.
Many couples looking to get married have experienced it too, with COVID-19 disrupting plans for big celebrations in 2020 and 2021, leading to expectations that there will be a lot of weddings in the United States this year.
Shane McMurray, founder and CEO of market research company The Wedding Report Inc., predicts about 2.5 million couples will tie the knot in 2022 and spend an average of $24,300 on their wedding, while The Knot released a similarly bullish forecast of 2.6 million weddings.
If achieved, it’ll be the highest number of weddings in the U.S. since 1984—when baby boomers, then 20-38, were in the prime age bracket for marriage—figures compiled by McMurray from the U.S. Census Bureau show.
It’s a boom that presents an opportunity for jewelers, from wedding-day jewelry for the bride or groom, gifts the couple exchanges, or presents for members of the wedding party.
Wedding Trends
Overall trends in the wedding industry mirror what’s probably the most predominant engagement ring trend right now—couples want something customized that reflects their individual personalities and relationships.
Sheavonne Harris, a wedding planner and owner of Events by Sheavonne, said she sees clients whittling down their guests lists to include only close family and friends, investing in after-parties, skipping the wedding cake in favor of other desserts—one couple she worked with had an ice cream truck—and/or doing away with the traditional bridal party.
Members of the jewelry industry are well-aware of these difficulties, with the industry’s stable annual slate of events turned upside-down for going on three years now.
Many couples looking to get married have experienced it too, with COVID-19 disrupting plans for big celebrations in 2020 and 2021, leading to expectations that there will be a lot of weddings in the United States this year.
Shane McMurray, founder and CEO of market research company The Wedding Report Inc., predicts about 2.5 million couples will tie the knot in 2022 and spend an average of $24,300 on their wedding, while The Knot released a similarly bullish forecast of 2.6 million weddings.
If achieved, it’ll be the highest number of weddings in the U.S. since 1984—when baby boomers, then 20-38, were in the prime age bracket for marriage—figures compiled by McMurray from the U.S. Census Bureau show.
It’s a boom that presents an opportunity for jewelers, from wedding-day jewelry for the bride or groom, gifts the couple exchanges, or presents for members of the wedding party.
Wedding Trends
Overall trends in the wedding industry mirror what’s probably the most predominant engagement ring trend right now—couples want something customized that reflects their individual personalities and relationships.
Sheavonne Harris, a wedding planner and owner of Events by Sheavonne, said she sees clients whittling down their guests lists to include only close family and friends, investing in after-parties, skipping the wedding cake in favor of other desserts—one couple she worked with had an ice cream truck—and/or doing away with the traditional bridal party.
“There’s been a focus on what they actually want, as opposed to what they are supposed to have.”— Sheavonne Harris, Events by Sheavonne
And just as some brides opt for a colored stone engagement ring, some choose to wear wedding dresses that are not all white, whether it’s a pop of color in a sash or overlay, a subtle all-over shade, or a bold hue.
Harris said one of her recent brides wore pink while another chose green, a trend she expects to continue.
Couples want to look back on their wedding day and say, “it was exactly as we wanted it to be,” not, “we did this because we felt obligated.”
“There’s been a focus on what they actually want, as opposed to what they are supposed to have,” Harris said. “It’s definitely [them questioning], ‘I don’t want to do this, so why do I have to have it?’”
McMurray said in his research, he also sees couples breaking from tradition, for a few reasons.
First, cutting out some traditions—say, the cake or the flowers—allows them to be able to afford exactly what they want in other areas, like the caterer, venue, or photographer.
This is especially true in 2022 as couples battle inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages. (Getting labor for events is “really hard right now,” McMurray noted.)
Secondly, many couples are footing the bill for all, or at least some, of their weddings so they feel free to design the sort of ceremony and celebration they want.
The Wedding Report has a rundown from 2017 detailing how often couples pay 100 percent of the cost for various aspects of their weddings, from the engagement ring (85 percent of the time) to musicians for the big day (62 percent).
On average, today’s couples pay 100 percent of the cost for various aspects of the ceremony and celebration 72 percent of the time, according to The Wedding Report.
Lastly, McMurray sees the trend of breaking from long-held practices around weddings and wedding ceremonies as a reflection of a society that is becoming less tradition-bound.
What’s trending in terms of wedding-day jewelry? Panelists on a recent National Jeweler webinar on engagement ring trends said diamonds and pearls. Assael’s “La Feuille” earrings ($11,900) with South Sea cultured pearls and 1.22 carats of marquise-cut diamonds have both.
As for the timing of the 2.5 million weddings, McMurray said the core months for weddings vary depending on region but, typically, most weddings happen in May or June, and then September or October.
But if places are booked in 2022, that might force couples to look at traditionally less popular months, like July and August.
‘Til Demand Dies Down
While the expected bump in the number of weddings presents an opportunity this year, McMurray noted that it’s more of a pandemic-induced spike than a long-term uptick.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the U.S. marriage rate—meaning the ratio of marriages to the entire population—has been flat or declining since the mid-1980s, something McMurray points out to his wedding vendor clients.
(The CDC keeps statistics on births, marriages, divorces, and deaths, all considered “vital statistics.”)
He said many in the wedding and wedding-adjacent industries expected a big boom in nuptials in the United States when the millennials, the shadow generation of the 70-million-plus baby boomers, reached marrying age.
National Jeweler was among them. In August 2010, this publication ran an article in its print edition titled “Here Comes the Millennial Bride,” detailing how, “boomers’ children [are] expected to have a big impact on the bridal market.”
But the boom hasn’t happened, at least not yet.
In the decade since that article was published, the number of weddings in the U.S. has hovered between 2.1 million and 2.2 million each year, U.S. Census data shows.
Meanwhile, data from the CDC shows that the marriage rate held steady at 6.8 marriages per thousand people from 2010 to 2013.
It ticked up to 7.0 by 2016 but has since fallen off again, dropping to 6.1 marriages per thousand people in 2019.
According to the data, that’s below the lowest marriage rate recorded during the Great Depression (7.9 in 1932) and well below the post-World War II peak in 1946, when there were 16.4 marriages for every 1,000 people.
Looking past 2022, McMurray predicts the number of weddings will return to pre-pandemic levels. He forecasts 2.2 million weddings for 2023 and 2024, and 2.1 million for 2025.
“We’re only looking at a lot of weddings [this year] because of COVID and that’s really the issue,” he said. “It’s not growth. It’s pent-up demand.”
More on Surveys
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
