Engagement searches soar during lockdown

man kneeling on one knee on cliff top proposing to girlfriend next to car

With the end of lockdown mapped out for us, engaged couples can finally start getting excited about being married surrounded by friends and family and planning the wedding of their dreams. But what effect did lockdown have on engagements? Research from Freemans found that lockdown may have brought couples closer together as engagement related searches are at an all-time high; and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we think this summer is surely going to be the summer of love!
 

Searching For The One looks at year on year growth for specific searches around engagements and the biggest proposal trends according to the data are:

  • Proposal decoration ideas saw a growth of 2300%
  • Restaurant proposals grew by 1850%
  • Proposal ideas involving babies grew by 800%
  • Engagement gift ideas also saw a search rise of 221900%
Amanda Brown, proposal planner of The One Romance, adds, "95% of our clients live in the UK and they all tell me that they had planned to propose while they are on holiday but with the travel restrictions, they decided to propose on home ground because our couples really wanted to have something positive in their lives."

To read more of the insights discovered by Freemans read the full blog here.

You may also be interested in

From best mates to distant relatives: Brits reveal the wedding gift hierarchy

From best mates to distant relatives: Brits reveal the wedding gift hierarchy

How much should you spend on a wedding gift? It seems the answer depends on just how well you know the happy couple. New research from One4all Gift Cards has revealed that almost half of Brits (49%) would spend less on a wedding gift if they were not particularly close to the couple. The relationship came out ahead of travel and accommodation costs (38%) and paying for a hen or stag do (28%) when it comes to factors influencing how much guests are prepared to spend. For those closest to them, Brits consider an average of £77 per person to be an acceptable wedding gift. The most popular amount was between £50 and £100, selected by 43% of respondents, while 36% believe spending up to £50 is perfectly acceptable. Just 5% would spend more than £200.

READ ARTICLE

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

1 September is the most common wedding anniversary date, with an average of 1,557 marriages taking place on the date, new analysis has revealed. The research, from drinks and gifting retailer Bottled and Boxed, analysed 22 years of marriage registration data from the Office for National Statistics to identify the dates when couples across England and Wales are most likely to be celebrating their wedding anniversaries each year. Every date in the top 10 falls between late July and early September, showing how heavily the most common anniversaries are concentrated in late summer. August is the most common month for wedding anniversaries, accounting for 15.7% of all marriages analysed, with an average of 1,254 couples married per day.

READ ARTICLE

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Planning a wedding is fun, stressful, time consuming. Couples want a ceremony that reflects their taste, is reflective of their love for each other and feels unique. The current restrictions in place can sometimes fetter that. Long-awaited plans to modernise weddings law in England and Wales could give couples far greater freedom over where and how they marry. It is hoped that they may be part of a much wider transformation of family law which is going through the biggest shakeup in decades.

READ ARTICLE

Dorset-based Amazing Face announces touch-up kit offer

Dorset-based Amazing Face announces touch-up kit offer

Exciting things are happening at Dorset-based Amazing Face. Director and lead artist Caroline Swaffield has unveiled the newly curated Bridal Glow Packages, created for brides who want flawlessly radiant, camera-ready skin from the moment they walk down the aisle to the final dance. Each package includes a personalised pre-wedding skincare plan, a luxury trial session, and on-the-day touch-up support. As a Regional Finalist in the Wedding Industry Awards and Regional Winner of the International Awards 2026, Amazing Face is trusted by brides who expect exceptional results, premium products, and a calm, professional experience on their wedding day. Bookings are now open for 2026–2027 weddings, and dates are filling quickly.

READ ARTICLE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on Facebook

VISIT SITE

Submit your wedding to be featured in Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine

VISIT SITE

Subscribe to Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine for free

VISIT SITE

Follow Your Hampshire & Dorset Wedding Magazine on Instagram

VISIT SITE