Hyatt's latest “Vows & Venues” survey, which polled 2,002 individuals in Germany, provides relevant data on current priorities in wedding and honeymoon planning. These findings are significant for hotels, venues, and service providers in the wedding and travel industry, as they offer insights into market developments.
Only 58 percent of respondents prefer Germany as their wedding country. A significant number favour international destinations, with Italy (16 percent), the Maldives (12 percent), and Spain (10 percent) being the top choices for weddings abroad. Paul Dalgleish, Vice President Sales, Revenue and Business Development EAME at Hyatt, notes a persistently high demand for 'destination weddings', which are increasingly manifesting as multi-day events requiring group bookings and coordinated travel planning.
Preferences for wedding venues are diverse. A quarter of respondents (25 percent) favour restaurants, while 20 percent desire an outdoor wedding in gardens or parks. 17 percent could imagine a beach wedding. Hotels also play a role, with 14 percent considering an all-inclusive resort, 12 percent a five-star hotel, and 10 percent a boutique hotel. The average ideal guest count is 84 people.
When choosing a hotel as a wedding venue, practical and atmospheric criteria are decisive. Sufficient space for all guests is a priority for 55 percent of respondents. Affordable wedding packages are considered important by 38 percent. A romantic atmosphere and the availability of alternatives in case of bad weather are relevant for 28 percent each. Design and interior decoration that match personal taste influence the decision of 24 percent of respondents. The possibility of customising wedding packages is important for 23 percent. The average ideal wedding budget is stated as 29,691.50 EUR. Younger age groups, particularly 25- to 34-year-olds and 18- to 24-year-olds, are willing to invest higher budgets of 42,602 EUR and 46,310 EUR respectively.
Background and Development of the Wedding Market
The global wedding market, already valued at over 1 billion US dollars in 2025, is projected to grow by 12.8 percent annually until 2033. Respondents plan to spend an average of 30.8 percent of their wedding budget on the venue and accommodation. Given the complexity of wedding planning, 37 percent of respondents would work directly with a hotel's event team, and 33 percent would use a list of the venue's preferred service providers.
Honeymoons: Preferences and New Trends
According to the survey, the most popular honeymoon destinations are Italy (23 percent), France (13 percent), the Maldives (11 percent), Spain (10 percent), and Greece (9 percent). For this, respondents are willing to spend an average of 9,000 EUR. Value for money (51 percent) and weather prospects (46 percent) are the most important selection criteria for honeymoon destinations. Other factors include the desire for a 'bucket list destination' (36 percent), low overcrowding (22 percent), a romantic destination (19 percent), and appealing culinary options (16 percent).
- —Romantic backdrop (41 percent)
- —All-inclusive options (39 percent)
- —Romantic rooms (32 percent)
- —Proximity to the beach (30 percent)
New concepts such as the 'Early Moon' (pre-wedding holiday, considered by 37 percent), the 'Mini Moon' (34 percent), or the 'Multi-Location Moon' (31 percent) are gaining importance. The 'Buddy Moon', where friends accompany the newlywed couple, is also being considered by 25 percent of respondents.
