We’re in the thick of engagement season and reports suggest winter engagements are at a record high.
A quick scroll through Instagram over the festive period and it seems as though the world and his (soon-to-be) wife are getting engaged, right? It’s engagement season; the period of time running from December through to February synonymous with lovestruck romantics popping the question on snow-speckled country walks or by cosy firesides. But if it feels as though your feeds are even more clogged with sparkling rocks and plandid proposal snaps than usual, there’s good reason.
According to bespoke jewellery brand Taylor & Hart proposals are up 60% on this winter compared to last year. So, while lockdown has proved difficult for many couples, and lead to some touch decisions on cancelling weddings, love is still very much alive for a new generation of weds-to-be hoping to tie the knot in 2021 and beyond.
Taylor & Hart’s 2020/2021 Engagement Trend Report* reports that winter engagements may have soared as couples spend more time together throughout the lockdowns, and claims engagement ring sales in October last year were up by 60% compared to the previous year.
Along with celebs like Stacey Solomon, Ant McPartlin and Mollie King all getting engaged over the Christmas period, this may explain why your Instagram feed felt particularly flooded with happy couples taking their relationship to the next level.
“People get engaged at Christmas because you’re surrounded by friends and family,” explains Kate Earlam, Design Director at Taylor & Hart. “The festive season is a happy, feel good time and what more of a perfect way to end the year, and begin a new one, than telling your partner that they are the only one for you. New years bring new possibilities and exciting things.”
With all the changing guidelines of weddings in lockdown and growing concern over the future of the wedding industry, it’s heartwarming to see people are still pulling out all the stops to pop that all-important question.
*Taylor & Harts report analysed internet searches, examined engagement ring trends and the impact of COVID-19 on the wedding industry to identify which trends are on the rise for 2020.
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