Betting on the Wedding App Reveals Surprising Trends from 20,000 Weddings: From Tears to Cake-Cutting
We finally know what percentage of grooms cry at the altar! Betting on the Wedding, an app that lets guests place playful bets on moments during a wedding, is shedding light on surprising trends in modern celebrations. By tracking both guest predictions and the actual outcomes when bets are called, the app provides an unprecedented view of what really happens on the big day.
Launched in 2023 by husband-and-wife team Greg and Stacy Stahl, the app gained early traction through viral posts on Instagram and TikTok, quickly establishing itself in the wedding space. Since then, the team has leveraged customer feedback and extensive usage data to develop Version 3, released in August 2025, which has driven significant adoption and engagement, helping couples make their celebrations even more interactive and memorable.
Unlike traditional wedding research, which relies on surveys or anecdotal evidence, Betting on the Wedding collects real-time data on both guest predictions and actual outcomes. This approach produces insights that are both unique and highly accurate–data that most other wedding companies simply cannot access.
“With over 20,000 weddings analyzed across 32 countries, we can see not just what guests expect, but what actually takes place,” said Greg Stahl, co-founder of Betting on the Wedding. “It’s a unique lens into how weddings are evolving and how couples are personalizing their celebrations.”
The app’s increasing adoption underscores a broader shift toward more personalized and participatory wedding experiences.
Unexpected Trends Unveiled
54% of grooms cry upon seeing the bride walk down the aisle, marking increased emotional openness among men.
85% of couples avoid smashing cake during the cake-cutting, signaling gentler celebrations and more photo-friendly traditions.
52% of brides have an outfit change, emphasizing the rise of fashion in wedding festivities.
83% of best men and 90% of maids of honor rely on notes or phones for speeches, indicating preparation and structure are valued over spontaneity.
72% of weddings now skip bouquet and garter tosses, suggesting this once-traditional activity is falling out of favor.
Gaps Between Expectations and Reality:
Betting data revealed notable surprises where guests’ expectations diverged significantly from actual outcomes:
Bouquet & Garter Toss: 67% of guests predicted these traditions would happen, but only 28% of weddings actually included them, a nearly 40% discrepancy.
Ed Sheeran Songs: While 80% of guests anticipated hearing Ed Sheeran at the reception, only 43% of weddings played his music.
Officiant Jokes: Officiant jokes are common, but not a guarantee. 83% of guests expected an opening joke, yet it occurred in 66% of ceremonies, reflecting a trend toward more direct, heartfelt openings over “warm-up comedy” moments.
DJ/Emcee Mistakes: Nearly half (46%) of guests bet the DJ or emcee would botch a name, yet only 19% experienced such mishaps, revealing higher-than-expected professionalism.
"Our data shows weddings are becoming more interactive, meaningful, and reflective of each couple's unique personality," said Stahl. "Guests are no longer just observers, they’re active participants in creating memorable experiences."
Betting on the Wedding makes predicting moments fun and accessible, enhancing guest engagement throughout the celebration. Couples set up the app prior to their wedding, sharing a personalized link to their betting pool via wedding websites, invitations, email, text, or even a QR code at welcome parties.
Greg and Stacy Stahl bring deep entrepreneurial experience to the venture. Stacy previously founded HowHeAsked.com, a site highlighting proposal stories that was acquired by The Knot in 2016, and later launched Sweeter Cards, a chocolate-and-greeting-card concept acquired in 2024. Greg is a former Googler and has served as VP of Marketing at multiple startups. Their combined expertise in technology, marketing, and wedding-focused products has positioned Betting on the Wedding to deliver data-driven insights and a seamless, engaging experience for couples and their guests.