How McDonald’s is Cornering the Wedding Market

Happily Ever After Meals: McDonald’s weddings are attracting young couples around the world & here at home

 

Young couples want a wedding that doesn’t break the bank, and McDonald’s is stepping up to take their order. 

 

All around the world, including here in the US, an increasing number of young couples are ditching traditional wedding venues to exchange vows in fast-food dining rooms and drive-thrus.

 

We’ve read about couples getting married at Dunkin’ and Taco Bell, with the south-of-the-border themed restaurant launching its own branded Taco Bell Wedding website and Vegas wedding chapel. The Food Network published an entire list of quick-service restaurants that happily host and cater weddings, including Burger King, KFC, and White Castle. Heck, you can even get hitched in an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile wedding these days! 

 

But one fast-food chain stands out: McDonald’s.

 

This American favorite is making big investments in the international wedding industry, and it’s paying off abroad and at home. In just a few short years, McDonald’s has opened its arches to wedding parties in multiple regions, including Hong Kong, where wedding packages start at around $385 and include a bouquet made of McNuggets;  Indonesia, where couples can purchase a wedding package for 100 guests for about $200; and China. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by McDonald's Indonesia (@mcdonaldsid)

McDonald's wedding packages in Indonesia start at around $200 to $250 dollars for 100 sandwiches and 100 4-piece nugget combos. 

 

 

In China, sources recently called McDonald’s the country’s “new favorite wedding venue.” There, with the average wedding cost at about 330,000 yuan last year – a staggering $46,608.87 USD – many young couples are choosing McDonald’s as an alternative venue because of its fun atmosphere and low prices.

 

But it’s not just the lowered cost that attracts young couples in countries like China. Sources say “For many Gen Z Chinese, it’s the formality and outdated rituals associated with traditional weddings that are most objectionable.” (via SixthTone)

 

A Chinese couple, having no money to rent a wedding venue, hosted their wedding at a local McDonald, inviting family and friends to celebrate
byu/Doujinseeker487 inDamnthatsinteresting

 

 

Newlyweds in Italy, Singapore, and Sweden are in on the trend, and McDonald’s has launched several international wedding contests and marketing campaigns, including one this month in Brazil (the ‘Méqui Happily Ever After’ contest). 
 

The company has even designed catering menus specifically for weddings, to help couples decide what to order ahead of their event!

 

In the United States, wedding ceremonies held inside McDonald’s restaurants haven’t hit the mainstream – yet. But the trend might not be far off. McDonald’s themed wedding receptions have made news in the US several times in recent years, with increasing frequency, as budget-minded couples cater their weddings with burgers, fries, nuggets, milkshakes, and apple pies. In two examples: McDonald's coworkers who planned to get hitched in a cheeseburger themed ceremony in California made the news in August, with an event planner's McDonald's wedding reception going viral on Instagram (with over 2 million views) just a few days later. 

 

If we had to guess, in-store celebrations are just the next step here in the States.

 

And the McDonald’s wedding love isn’t a new thing! A few Hong Kong locations started offering full wedding packages (including gift bags and a wedding 'cake' made of apple pies) back in 2010. A couple who married in a McDonald’s in Mexico that same year made headlines; and another couple, who married at a McDonald’s in Cleveland in 1977 (when there were less than 5,000 locations worldwide), just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with a photo from the fry-fueled ceremony posted to Facebook... and no doubt many more couples have married at McDonald's who didn't make the front page.

 

 

A couple who got married at McDonald's in Cleveland in 1977 shared this wedding photo a couple years ago, on their 45th wedding anniversary.

 

 

Marrying under the Golden Arches decades ago was appealing for many of the reasons it is now: it’s convenient, low-stress, memorable, affordable, and not bogged down in ill-fitting traditions or obligations that don’t appeal to young couples.

 

The trend picked up steam in the years following the coronavirus pandemic when traditional venues faced significant closures and wait-times, but it shows no signs of stopping, despite our return to pre-pandemic habits. The average wedding cost in the US – which hovers at around $35,000 for a typical wedding at a traditional venue – certainly places a part, but it's not the only reason couples are saying yes to a McDonald's wedding. 

 

With its speciality packages, laid-back atmosphere, modern approach, and nearly 41,800 locations worldwide, McDonald’s is poised to corner the budget-conscious wedding market – and establish itself as one of the most popular unconventional wedding venues around. 
 

...

 

Officiate a friend's wedding at McDonald's, or any venue they choose! Get ordained online with AMM to become a wedding officiant.

 

Get ordained online free with AMM and learn how to become a wedding officiant for friends and relatives! 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo: Anchiy / iStock)

 

---

 

You might also like: 

 

• NJ Lighthouse wedding, 228 steps up! (We hope this officiant wore comfy shoes.)
   
• 10 Unusual & Unique Places to Get Married in the U.S.
   
• A Road Trip Wedding is a Destination Wedding on the GO!
   

 

Wondering how to plan a road trip wedding for a destination wedding, adventure elopement, and honeymoon in one? If your looking for fun eloping ideas, this is it! Click the article linked above to read more!

 

---