by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 7:05 AM ET, Wed October 21, 2026
Canadian couples are rethinking the traditional one-day wedding, with new research commissioned by Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection suggesting celebrations are becoming longer, more personalized and increasingly focused on the guest experience.
According to the survey, Canadians envision an ideal wedding lasting approximately three days, with an average of 111 guests and a budget of CAD$33,770.
Younger respondents are looking for even longer celebrations. Canadians aged 18 to 24 said their ideal wedding would span approximately five days, compared with the three-day average across all respondents.
The findings suggest growing interest in weddings that extend beyond the ceremony and reception to include shared meals, activities and additional time with family and friends.
All-Inclusive Resorts Lead Venue Preferences
All-inclusive resorts in international destinations were the most popular venue preference among Canadian respondents, selected by 26%.
Affordability remains a major consideration, with 54% identifying affordable wedding packages as their top venue priority. Sufficient space to accommodate guests followed at 39%, while 35% prioritized group rates for attendees.
Other considerations included scenic views (26%) and customizable wedding packages (23%).
"The destination is no longer just the backdrop for the wedding. It's now part of the wedding itself," said Brad Cirino, regional Vice president, MICE/group, Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection.
"As celebrations become more ambitious, couples are creating an experience for everyone they've invited, not just planning a ceremony. That comes with more moving parts. An all-inclusive setting can take some of that complexity off their plate, bringing the stay, celebration and all those moments in between together in one place."
Personal Touches Without Abandoning Tradition
While Canadians are interested in adding more personal elements to their weddings, traditional celebrations remain important.
Half of respondents (50%) would like the bride to give a speech, while 46% would include speeches from other loved ones, such as the mother of the groom or maid of honour.
Other emerging preferences include a first look before the ceremony (44%), hiring a wedding content creator (28%) and incorporating pets into the festivities (25%).
Traditional wedding elements continue to rank highly. Family photos were the most popular, selected by 78% of respondents, followed by cake cutting and a sit-down wedding meal, both at 76%.
More Guests and Longer Celebrations
The survey also highlights the importance of professional assistance as couples consider larger, multi-day celebrations.
More than half of respondents (58%) said they would rely on a venue's wedding team, while 57% would use a full-service wedding planner and 50% would want a day-of coordinator.
Nearly half (46%) also preferred working from a venue-recommended vendor list rather than sourcing suppliers independently.
Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection currently includes 150 resorts and nearly 58,000 rooms across 11 brands in 14 countries throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Love at First Site
The company is also promoting its Love at First Site program, which allows couples to visit participating resorts before committing to a wedding venue.
During the visit, couples can meet with the property's dedicated wedding coordinator and tour ceremony, reception and event spaces.
Couples who book their wedding within 30 days of their visit may qualify for a credit toward wedding extras, a bachelor or bachelorette celebration, or their honeymoon, subject to terms and conditions.
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