Nine Out of Ten Married People Buy or Customize Wedding Rings... Average Cost per Pair: 3.56 Million Won

Gayeon Survey: Jewelry Shops Top the List, Branded Rings Come Second
13.2% Say "No" to Purchase: "Rings Hold Little Meaning, Funds Redirected to Newlywed Home"
Gayeon: "Symbolism of Rings Remains Strong, But Many Are Reinterpreting in Their Own Way"

Nine out of ten married individuals either purchased or customized wedding rings, spending an average of 3.56 million won.

According to a survey released on October 1 by the matchmaking company Gayeon, which polled 500 married people (250 men and 250 women aged 25 to 39), 86.8% of respondents said they had purchased wedding rings. The most common method was “purchasing or having the rings made at a jewelry shop” (45.6%). This was closely followed by “purchasing or customizing branded rings” (41.2%). Other responses included “using couple rings from their dating days instead” (8%), “skipping wedding rings altogether” (4.6%), and “inheriting rings from parents or family” (0.6%).

Among those who did not purchase wedding rings, the top reason was “not attaching much significance to wedding rings” (41.3%). Other reasons included “redirecting the ring budget to other expenses such as a newlywed home” (23.8%) and “being preoccupied with other aspects of wedding preparations” (15.9%), indicating that some chose to allocate funds to housing or other wedding-related costs. “Postponing the purchase for a later time rather than at the time of marriage” (14.3%) and “other reasons” (4.8%) followed.

The response “did not attach much significance” stood out. Among women, 30.8% gave this answer, compared to 48.6% of men. By age, 20% of those in their 20s and 55.3% of those in their 30s gave this response. This suggests that “men in their 30s” tend to approach and prepare for marriage in a more pragmatic way. Additionally, 39.7% said they used the budget for other expenses instead of rings, reflecting the current trend of simplifying or taking a practical approach to weddings.

So, how much do people typically spend on wedding rings? The average cost for a pair of rings was found to be 3,566,400 won. There was little difference between male and female respondents, confirming that a significant amount is generally spent on wedding rings.

Gayeon couple manager Jo Insang commented, “With 86.8% of married people purchasing rings and the average cost being around 3.56 million won, it is clear that wedding rings still hold significant meaning. It is best for couples to discuss their budget and preferences together.” He added, “While the symbolism of rings remains high, it is also worth noting the trend of individuals reinterpreting their meaning according to their own circumstances and values.”