An Exploratory Study of Spending Patterns, Obstacles and Traditions Among Same-Sex Marriage vs Heterosexual Marriage: Who's the Bigger Spender?

<p>This study investigated if there was a significant difference in the amount of money spent on same-sex weddings versus heterosexual weddings. The results of this study would assist both the wedding and hospitality industry by providing much needed financial and planning information.</p> <p>A descriptive, four-section survey was distributed online via Qualtrics utilizing snowball sampling. A total of 152 respondents participated in the study; 84 heterosexual and 68 LGBTQ. The respondents completed the questionnaire that measured wedding traditions, wedding spending, obstacles and challenges faced during their wedding and wedding planning, and demographic information.</p> <p>The results of this study indicated that same-sex couples getting married did not spend as much as heterosexuals. There were certain aspects of spending and traditions that were closely related including the areas of: purchasing food and beverage, purchasing a wedding ring, having a proposal and having a reception. Results also showed that neither group faced obstacles or had any challenges during the course of wedding planning. Lastly, the results revealed potential for increased wedding spending of same-sex couples as they can begin to plan their weddings now that 37 states have legalized same-sex marriage.</p> <p>It is hoped the results from this study will lead to further research resulting in greater awareness of the same-sex wedding market and provide more information about this demographic to the hospitality and tourism industry due to the fact that LGBTQ weddings will provide an additional $33 billion to $46 billion in profit to the industry if all states become legal.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Human Environmental Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Perritt, Lydia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Way, Kelly A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Harrington, Robert J.
• Wiersma-Mosley, Jacquelyn D.

• Social sciences
• LGBTQ
• Same-sex marriage
• Wedding spending
• Wedding traditions
• Behavioral Economics
• Family, Life Course, and Society
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1110

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-2109