Brides Say "Photograph My Engagement!" Shutterfly's Annual Wedding Survey Reveals Tips for Soon-to-Be Brides and Grooms

Company Unveils New Wedding Save the Dates, Perfect for Sharing Engagement Photos

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY), a leading Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service, today reveals results from its annual bridal survey and introduces new wedding stationery styles to its design-forward collection. The most telling survey result? Women want photos of the proposal. Of those with an opinion, 74 percent of engaged and married women surveyed give their enthusiastic approval to the new trend of hidden, paparazzi-style photos taken at the moment of engagement. In fact, the proposal is the number one wedding-related "missed photo" according to recent brides.

The Engagement

"Grooms-to-be are going to great lengths in terms of creativity and thoughtfulness when preparing to ‘pop the question.' Brides are telling us they want this proposal moment captured in pictures they can share today and for years to come," said Meg Bohnert, Shutterfly's card stylist. "Besides the wedding day itself, we know the proposal is one of the most joyous moments for a bride-to-be. For those lucky enough to have the photo, it becomes a beautiful way to announce the upcoming celebration."

Bohnert adds that since the majority of engagements happen on the weekend—with 69 percent of survey respondents getting engaged on Friday, Saturday or Sunday—clever guys should pop the question on an "off" day for the best surprise. "Some photographers offer midweek specials, or ask a close friend to shoot the proposal, and many popular locations are less crowded then, too. Midweek engagements can be the perfect time for capturing a truly amazing engagement photo."

The Announcement

According to Shutterfly's survey of 500 recently engaged and 500 recently married women, administered by Decipher, Inc. January 10-13, 2011, brides are old fashioned about the proposal—only three percent of women popped the question themselves. Furthermore, today's couples shy away from publicly broadcasting their happy news—only 23 percent of engaged women plan to post an announcement in the newspaper, while only 21 percent plan to use Facebook or another social network site to announce their engagement.

Instead, the top methods for sharing engagement news are far more personal with 70 percent of respondents preferring an in-person visit or a telephone call. Beyond the immediate circle of family and friends, today's couple is choosing the simple elegance of paper save the dates to reach out to those who matter most in a way that reflects their personal style. With this in mind, Shutterfly expands its wedding stationery suite with the launch of more than 60 new designs for its save the date cards and wedding announcements. The new wedding stationery is consistent with popular trends, styles featuring overlaid type, bold fonts that highlight the couple's name or date, monograms, collages and a variety of eye-catching "Mr. and Mrs." designs.

"One of the greatest trends we've seen lately is couples using a series of candid photos on a collage card for their save the date," said Bohnert. "An engagement series is great for this, particularly if someone captures the moment from close up and someone else shoots from far away. Or, use the save-the-date to communicate the theme of your wedding. If it'll be on a beach, use a photo of your toes in the sand."

The Wedding

Shutterfly's survey also revealed that afternoon weddings are in vogue. Among both recently married and those about to tie the knot, an afternoon wedding is more common than morning or evening (47 percent for engaged and 62 percent for married).

As for wedding expenses, brides feel they spent too much on food service (26 percent, up significantly from 19 percent in 2010). However, the honeymoon, followed by the photographer, are the categories brides wish they had spent more on (32 percent and 21 percent, respectively). And year-over-year, more brides wish they had spent more on the videographer (13 percent in 2011 versus 7 percent in 2010).

For more information about Shutterfly's complete line of wedding stationery solutions, please visit http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/wedding-cards-stationery.

About Shutterfly

Founded in 1999, Shutterfly, Inc. is an Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service. Shutterfly provides high quality products and world class services that make it easy, convenient and fun for consumers to preserve their digital photos in a creative and thoughtful manner. Shutterfly's flagship product is its award-winning Photo Book line, which helps consumers celebrate memories and tell their stories in professionally bound coffee table books. More information about Shutterfly (NASDAQ:SFLY) is available at www.shutterfly.com. Shutterfly and Shutterfly.com are trademarks of Shutterfly, Inc.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6611125&lang=en

Shutterfly, Inc.
Gretchen Sloan, 650-610-5276
gslsoan@shutterfly.com

Source: Shutterfly, Inc.

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