The Attributes Influencing Wedding Reception Venue Selection

Abstract

While wedding expenditure patterns and averages are well documented, there is a shortage of knowledge regarding wedding spending determinants. The current study focuses on the largest expenditure category, comprised of the reception and associated rentals, to shed light on the variables that influence the decision-making process when couples select a venue. Newlyweds living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area completed an online questionnaire where they provided details regarding wedding specifics and rated the importance of 40 selection attributes associated with their chosen reception venues. Principal components extraction revealed five meaningful factors: communication, food/beverage, aesthetics, pricing, and access. Implications focus on communication immediacy, staff training, aesthetic flexibility, pricing transparency, and spatial dynamics.