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Weddings and Corporate Events: US, UK, & AU
Key Takeaways
- Italy, France, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Belgium, India, Germany, and the Netherlands are some of the big markets for weddings and corporate events across the globe.
- The Netherlands ranks #2 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 670.
- The average cost of a wedding event in Germany is between €10,000 and €20,000 ($11,304 to $22,609).
Introduction
Ten additional big markets/countries for weddings and corporate events include Italy, France, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Belgium, India, Germany, and the Netherlands. These markets have been identified based on Eventex All-Stars' list of top destinations for meetings and events, the number of association meetings by country, the number of events by country, the average amount spent on weddings and/or the size of wedding guest list. Screenshots of some of the ranking lists consulted can be found below, followed by a brief description of each of the identified markets.
1. Italy
Corporate Events
- Italy ranks #5 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 480.
- Data from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Database (accessible by ICCA members only) indicates that 550 association meetings were held in Italy in 2019. Out of these, 149 meetings were held in Vienna.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 6,991 events are scheduled in Italy.
Wedding Events
- According to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, Italy ranks #3 on the list of countries with the highest average spend on weddings with an average spend of $22,500.
- The average number of guests per wedding in the country is 114.
2. France
Corporate Events
- France ranks #10 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 270.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 595 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 7,194 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
- According to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, France ranks #6 on the list of countries with the highest average spend on weddings with an average spend of $17,600.
- The average number of guests per wedding in the country is 105.
3. Poland
Corporate Events
- Poland ranks #6 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 410.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 213 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 2,802 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
- On average, couples spend less than €10,000 ($11,304) on weddings.
4. Spain
Corporate Events
- Spain ranks #12 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 150.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 578 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 6,272 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
- According to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, Spain ranks #2 on the list of countries with the highest average spend on weddings with an average spend of $23,400.
- The average number of guests per wedding in the country is 130.
5. Portugal
Corporate Events
- Portugal ranks #11 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 170.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 342 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 2,791 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
- According to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, Portugal ranks #7 on the list of countries with the highest average spend on weddings with an average spend of $16,700.
- The average number of guests per wedding in the country is 126.
6. Canada
Corporate Events
- While Canada didn't make it to Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events, data from the ICCA Database indicates that 336 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- According to events website 10times, 14,588 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
- According to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, Canada ranks #4 on the list of countries with the highest average spend on weddings with an average spend of $21,900.
- The average number of guests per wedding in the country is 154.
7. Belgium
Corporate Events
- Belgium ranks #7 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 400.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 237 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 2,834 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
8. India
Corporate Events
- India ranks #15 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 110.
- According to events website 10times, 17,881 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
- According to the 2019 Global Wedding Report, India ranks #14 on the list of countries with the highest average spend on weddings.
- The average number of guests per wedding in the country is 524.
9. Germany
Corporate Events
- Germany ranks #14 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 140.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 714 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
Wedding Events
- The average cost of a wedding in Germany is between €10,000 and €20,000 ($11,304 to $22,609).
- Exclusive venues can cost up to €2,000 ($2,260). The wedding menu costs a minimum of €35 ($39.6) per guest, drinks cost €10-25 ($11.3 to $28.26) per guest, and the wedding cake costs €150 to €300 ($169.6 to $339) on average.
10. Netherlands
Corporate Events
- The Netherlands ranks #2 on Eventex All-Stars' list of top 20 destinations for meetings and events with a score (destinations index) of 670.
- Data from the ICCA Database indicates that 356 association meetings were held in the country in 2019.
- Additionally, according to events website 10times, 5,357 events are scheduled in the country.
Wedding Events
Research Strategy
For this research on 10 big markets/countries for weddings and corporate events excluding the US, UK, and Australia, we leveraged the most reputable sources of information that were available in the public domain including Eventex, WeddingWire, SNTravel, and 10times, among others. Due to the unavailability of recent statistics on the wedding events market, most likely due to the impact of COVID-19 on this market, some slightly dated studies from 2019 were used to provide an indication of the size of the wedding market in selected countries.