Survey says this is the perfect number of wedding guests
More than two-thirds of Americans would have a destination wedding in order to "trim the fat" off their guest list, according to new research. In a new poll of 2,000 Americans, the average respondent said the "perfect number" of wedding guests is 56 people. However, if it were a destination wedding, only 36% of people would invite more than 50 guests. Almost one-third of people said a smaller guest list would encourage them to have a destination wedding. Furthermore, 50% of respondents cited difficulty for guests to attend as the top deterrent for having a destination wedding in the first place. The poll, conducted by OnePoll and Funjet Vacations, also revealed that the top incentive to attend a destination wedding wasn't actually being in the wedding party, in fact, this reason wasn't even in the top three. Having all expenses paid came out on top, according to 51% of respondents. As far as attendance deterrents, half of respondents said they would not attend if it was too expensive for them. It is no surprise that the majority (33%) of people would prefer a summer wedding, as 45% of respondents long for a white sand beach to tie the knot on. On top of that, the most wanted destinations boast beautiful beaches, with 36% of respondents wishing for Hawaii, and a third choosing The Caribbean. In fact, a third of guests are most likely to attend a wedding if it took place in Hawaii. "While destination weddings often get mislabeled as daunting and expensive, with the right tools and a little help, couples can easily plan and enjoy a stunning, stress-free destination wedding on almost any budget," said Michael Lowery, Executive Vice President and GM, Apple Leisure Group. According to two-thirds of respondents, the majority of weddings they've attended took place in the United States and 69% of attendees typically spend less than $1,000 for domestic weddings. When it comes to attending a destination wedding, that budget remains relatively the same with 56% not willing to spend more than $1,000. Regardless, 59% of respondents would travel abroad for an immediate family member's wedding, and 55% would travel for their best friend. Thirty-nine percent of people said they're more likely to attend a destination wedding if it's a location they'd enjoy. So, it's no wonder more than half of attendees believe the perfect duration is more than four days.