Latest Wedding Ring Trends: About 70% of 'No-Ceremony' Couples Choose 'Ring Making' as a New Form of Marriage. Why Are People in Their Late 20s Fixated on Handmade and Custom-Made? Kobo Smith Sapporo Main Store

Ippou Co., Ltd. (Location: Sapporo City, Hokkaido), which operates the handmade wedding and engagement ring specialty store 'Kobo Smith Sapporo Main Store', has released a monthly trend report compiling the latest customer data.

What emerged this month was the new value system of modern couples: 'Instead of having a wedding ceremony, they dedicate their commitment and budget to the special "experience" of making rings.'

Summary of this release (This month's highlights)

1. [Top motive for visiting is 'Degree of Freedom'] 'Accommodation for semi-custom and full-custom orders' ranked first at 28%. This was followed by 'Good word-of-mouth reviews' and 'Abundance of designs', clearly showing a trend of seeking unique originality.

2. [Experiential consumption among the 'No-Ceremony' demographic] Approximately 66.7% of visitors answered that they have 'No plans for a wedding ceremony'. Rather than conforming to the traditional wedding format, the style of making the process of handcrafting rings itself a 'wedding memory' has taken root.

3. [Polarization of budget and selective consumption] The most common budget for wedding rings is 'Under 100k-150k JPY' (37%). However, couples who choose rings '200k JPY and over' account for over 44% of the total, showing an attitude of firmly investing in things they are truly satisfied with.

Latest Bridal Trends Deciphered from Data

1. Why are 'custom-made and handmade' being chosen now?

[Reasons for visiting Kobo Smith Sapporo Main Store] 1st: Accommodation for semi-custom and full-custom orders (28%) 2nd: Good word-of-mouth and reputation (20%) 3rd: Abundance of designs (16%) 4th: Brand reliability and name recognition (10%) 5th: Balance between price and quality (10%)

[Percentage by Age Group] Those aged 25-29 accounted for the majority at 52.4%.

Among couples in their late 20s, falling into the Gen Z and Millennial demographics, the 'ability to materialize their ideals (freedom of custom-making)' is prioritized over brand recognition or cheap prices. Amid an overflow of standardized information on social media, there is a strong desire to imbue their rings with a 'special story uniquely ours'.

2. About 70% have 'No plans for a ceremony'. Ring making becomes the 'wedding event'.

[Is the marriage registration date decided?] Yes: 88.9% / No: 11.1% [Are there plans for a wedding ceremony?] Yes: 33.3% / No: 66.7%

While about 90% of couples have decided on their registration date and are taking concrete steps towards marriage, 66.7% answered they have 'no plans for a wedding ceremony'.

Without holding a large-scale wedding event, many couples seek a special 'experience' for the quiet and intimate time spent together and the rings that will remain with them for life. The act of making rings at the workshop itself fulfills the role of a 'precious wedding event' for modern couples.

3. 'Selective consumption': Investing in what truly satisfies

[Budget for Wedding Rings] Under 100k-150k JPY: 37% Under 150k-200k JPY: 18.5% Under 200k-250k JPY: 14.8% Under 250k-300k JPY: 14.8% 300k JPY and over: 14.8%

[Budget for Engagement Rings] Under 100k-200k JPY: 62.5% Under 200k-300k JPY: 37.5%

While the most common budget for wedding rings is 'Under 100k-150k JPY' (37%), indicating a practical demographic, couples opting for high price ranges of 200k JPY and over accounted for a total of about 44%.

Rather than 'just something cheap', an increasing number of couples hold clear criteria for value, wanting to 'make something truly good even if it costs more, as long as it matches their preferences' regarding design freedom and diamond quality.

Customer Voices

Mr. & Mrs. K: 'Being able to handcraft our rings with love is a memory of a lifetime' Mr. & Mrs. K, who visited in April: 'Being able to handcraft the wedding rings we will wear for life with love is a lifelong memory. The staff kindly and carefully taught us, and we were able to enjoy making them from start to finish! Thank you for the wonderful experience ♡'

From Kobo Smith Sapporo Main Store: Future Prospects

As is evident from this month's data, choosing wedding rings has completely shifted from a mere 'purchase of goods' to a 'special experience' to confirm the bond between a couple.

Our staff feel firsthand every day that for couples who do not hold a ceremony, the few hours spent at our store become a 'precious ceremony to realize their marriage.'

Even if you 'don't know what kind of design can be made', our skilled artisans and designers will carefully listen to your stories and help bring them to shape. We will continue to be a workshop that stays close to couples' thoughts, providing one-of-a-kind rings and the best memories.

About Kobo Smith Sapporo Free and beautiful rings that only Kobo Smith Sapporo can make. Designers and skilled artisans