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Plot Twist: It’s the Groom Who Cries First, According to Data from 25,000 Weddings

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New data from 25,000 weddings analyzed by the Betting on the Wedding app reveals surprising trends in modern celebrations: grooms are more likely to cry first than brides, 75% of couples now skip bouquet and garter tosses, and 85% have ditched the traditional cake smash. The findings come from the most comprehensive dataset of real wedding outcomes ever published, drawn from celebrations on six continents.

ST. LOUIS, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — As peak wedding season kicks off, we finally know who really cries first at the altar, and it is not the bride. Betting on the Wedding, an app that lets guests place lighthearted bets on moments during a wedding, is shedding light on surprising trends in modern celebrations. By tracking both guest predictions and the actual outcomes when bets are called, it provides an unprecedented view of what really happens on the big day.

“With over 25,000 weddings analyzed across more than 100 countries, we can see not just what guests expect, but what actually takes place.” Greg Stahl, co-founder of Betting on the Wedding

Launched in late 2023 by husband-and-wife team Greg and Stacy Stahl, Betting on the Wedding gained early traction through viral posts on Instagram and TikTok, quickly establishing itself as one of the most talked-about wedding entertainment apps and modern wedding games. The team has since gathered feedback from thousands of couples and continues to adapt the experience to meet the evolving needs of the modern bride and groom.

Unlike traditional wedding research, which relies on surveys or anecdotal evidence, Betting on the Wedding collects real-time data on both guest predictions and actual outcomes. This approach produces insights that are both unique and highly accurate, data that most other wedding companies simply cannot access. The result is the most comprehensive dataset of real wedding outcomes ever published, drawn from celebrations on six continents.

“With over 25,000 weddings analyzed across more than 100 countries, we can see not just what guests expect, but what actually takes place,” said Greg Stahl, co-founder of Betting on the Wedding. “It is a unique lens into how weddings are evolving and how couples are personalizing their celebrations.”

As couples search for the best wedding entertainment options and most creative wedding reception games for 2026 celebrations, Betting on the Wedding has emerged as a category-defining choice for interactive wedding guest engagement. Unlike most wedding reception games, the experience begins days before the ceremony itself, as guests debate predictions, compare picks with each other, and build anticipation long before they arrive at the venue.

Unexpected Trends Unveiled (additional insights available upon request):

It is the groom who cries first. When couples bet on who would cry first, the groom beat the bride to tears 56% of the time, even though guests were split nearly 50/50 on the prediction.58% of grooms cry upon seeing the bride walk down the aisle, marking increased emotional openness among men.85% of couples avoid smashing cake during the cake-cutting, signaling gentler celebrations and more photo-friendly traditions.Nearly half (48%) of brides have an outfit change, emphasizing the rise of fashion in wedding festivities.84% of best men and 91% of maids of honor rely on notes or phones for speeches, indicating preparation and structure are valued over spontaneity.75% of weddings now skip bouquet and garter tosses, suggesting these once-traditional activities are falling out of favor.

Gaps Between Expectations and Reality

Betting data revealed notable surprises where guests’ expectations diverged significantly from actual outcomes:

Bouquet & Garter Toss: 66% of guests predicted these traditions would happen, but only 25% of weddings actually included them, a more than 40-point discrepancy.Ed Sheeran Songs: While 81% of guests anticipated hearing Ed Sheeran at the reception, only 41% of weddings played his music.Officiant Jokes: Officiant jokes are common, but not a guarantee. 83% of guests expected an opening joke, yet it occurred in 66% of ceremonies, reflecting a trend toward more direct, heartfelt openings over warm-up comedy moments.DJ/Emcee Mistakes: Nearly half (45%) of guests bet the DJ or emcee would botch a name, yet only 18% experienced such mishaps, revealing higher-than-expected professionalism.

What Today’s Couples Are Inventing

Beyond the most popular predictions, modern couples are creating their own wagers that reflect how wedding culture is evolving. Among the most popular custom bets couples have invented:

How many Taylor Swift songs will the DJ play?Will someone wipe out on the dance floor?What will the late-night snack be? Pizza, tacos, and donuts are the leading contenders.Will there be a conga line?

“Our data shows weddings are becoming more interactive, meaningful, and reflective of each couple’s unique personality,” said Stahl. “Guests are no longer just observers, they are active participants in creating memorable experiences.”

Frequently cited among the best wedding apps and most innovative modern wedding games, Betting on the Wedding is built for couples planning interactive wedding receptions and looking for unique wedding guest entertainment. Couples set up the app prior to their wedding and share a personalized link to their betting pool via wedding websites, invitations, email, text, or a QR code at welcome parties.

In a major update timed to peak wedding season, guests no longer need to download anything to participate. With a single tap of the personalized link, anyone can place bets directly from a browser, removing the biggest barrier to participation: the app download itself.

“My wife and I had talked about doing something like this for the wedding, and it was so much more fun than we were expecting. The number of our friends who came up to me complaining that I busted their bet was hysterical. Just such a unique way to add to the fun of it all.”

Verified five-star review, Apple App Store

Greg and Stacy Stahl bring deep entrepreneurial experience to the venture. Stacy previously founded HowHeAsked.com, acquired by The Knot in 2016, and later launched Sweeter Cards, acquired in 2024. Greg is a former Googler and has served as VP of Marketing at multiple startups.

About Betting on the Wedding

Betting on the Wedding is a leading wedding entertainment app and interactive wedding game that turns weddings into memorable, shared experiences by letting guests place playful bets on unique, funny, and sentimental moments. Consistently named among the best wedding apps and most creative wedding reception games for modern couples, the customizable platform enhances ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions by fostering excitement, laughter, and deeper connections among attendees. For under $50, couples can add unlimited guests, unlimited bets, custom wagers, a split-the-pot feature, and more, with guests joining straight from a browser, no download required. Couples can download Betting on the Wedding on iOS and Android. Learn more at bettingonthewedding.com.

Media Contact
Stacy Stahl, Betting on the Wedding, 1 941-544-7632, stacy@bettingonthewedding.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/plot-twist-its-the-groom-who-cries-first-according-to-data-from-25-000-weddings-302797646.html

SOURCE Betting on the Wedding

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The First Cartridge-Free Smart Waterless Diffuser Is Here. What Would You Fill It With?

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Lephrone set out to solve a frustration for customers who want smart control over their home fragrance and the freedom to choose their own oils. The H300 is the first waterless diffuser to combine cartridge-free refills, Wi-Fi app control, smart home integration, and an in-app fragrance oil library with scanning and personal notes. Customers can use their favorite compatible oils, create their own blends, and use the app to set a scenting schedule and track how much oil is left.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — “There are thousands of fragrance oils out there, so why lock yourself into just one brand?” said a Lephrone developer.

“Lephrone took the best of the diffuser world and left the worst behind.”

We wanted to make a device for people who need a ritual to unwind and want more control over their surroundings. There’s a whole world of sensory experiences out there, and our goal was to bring the way you manage scent at home into the digital world.

With the H300 lephrone diffuser, we kept what we liked about smart cartridge-based diffusers: Wi-Fi connectivity, lephrone app, voice control, and the ability to recognize oils and track how much is left. We made sure it supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. We also did away with what frustrated us most: never-ending subscriptions, cartridges that run out too quickly, and limits on which oils you can use. With the H300, you get to choose the oils you want and create blends you love.

We also added support for multiple users and multiple diffusers, so everyone in the household can control the devices and set schedules. The H300 can run even when it’s offline.

We’re releasing our own fragrances, too. In the app, you can scan them into your personal fragrance library and write down how a scent made you feel, whether you liked it, and what others at home thought of it. That matters because after trying a few oils, it’s easy to forget which one you loved most or which one everyone else kept asking for.

We’re rolling this out to more Lephrone models next. Stay tuned.

Media Contact

Elina, Lephrone, 1 6463844148, info@lephrone.com, Lephrone

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-first-cartridge-free-smart-waterless-diffuser-is-here-what-would-you-fill-it-with-302939367.html

SOURCE Lephrone

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HONGQI EHS4 Set for Global Debut in Venice: Eastern Elegance Arrives in Europe

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VENICE, Italy, Nov. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HONGQI, one of China’s leading automotive marques, will introduce its all-new all-electric SUV, HONGQI EHS4, to the European market. Making its global debut in Venice, Italy, on 16 November 2026, the EHS4 marks another milestone in the brand’s international expansion.

68 Years of Heritage: A Distinctive Expression of Modern Luxury
Founded in 1958, HONGQI has spent 68 years building its automotive heritage through independent innovation, engineering excellence, and craftsmanship. Guided by a longstanding commitment to quality and safety, the brand continues to bring its distinctive heritage to a global audience.

With its Munich Advanced Design Centre, HONGQI combines global design perspectives with its rich Eastern heritage. Guided by a European Neoclassical Design Philosophy, the EHS4 brings together Eastern design influences and global aesthetics. Developed around European consumer needs, it represents HONGQI’s first model tailored specifically for Europe.

HONGQI EHS4: A New Choice for All-Electric Mobility
Bringing together Eastern and Western design aesthetics, HONGQI EHS4 balances distinctive styling, driving comfort and everyday practicality. Its Celadon Paint draws inspiration from the refined beauty of traditional Longquan celadon, while the Eyes of Infinite Allure lighting design creates a distinctive visual identity. Inside, the Crystal Control Knob adds an elegant touch to the cabin.

With a driving range of up to 470 kilometres and fast-charging capability of approximately 20 minutes, the EHS4 is designed for convenient everyday electric mobility. Its 87.4% space utilization makes intelligent use of interior space, enhancing passenger comfort and practicality.

Safety and quality remain central to its development. Equipped with seven airbags and intelligent driver-assistance technologies, the EHS4 draws on FAW’s more than 70 years of automotive manufacturing expertise to deliver advanced technology, refined driving quality, and dependable vehicle performance.

Venice: A New Chapter in Europe
On 16 November 2026, HONGQI EHS4 will make its global debut at the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia in Venice. The event will bring together European dealers, media representatives, and industry guests to witness an important milestone in HONGQI’s European journey.

A distinctive expression of Eastern elegance, now coming to Europe.

SOURCE HONGQI

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EFICYENT to Join Banks and Fintech Companies at Singapore FinTech Festival 2026

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DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 14, 2026 /CNW/ — EFICYENT, a cross-border payment platform, is going to attend the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2026, which is going to be one of the world’s largest gatherings of the global financial and technology ecosystem.  It will take place between November 18 – 20, 2026, at Singapore. This event will converge policymakers, financial institutions, fintech companies, and investors to discuss the developments that are going to shape the future of fintech.

As financial institutions are desperately discovering new technologies, evolving payment infrastructure, and better ways to move money across borders, SFF 2026 is going to be an ideal platform for industry collaboration and knowledge exchange. The event will explore key forces transforming the financial system, including technology, geoeconomics, capital, talent, and policy, developing opportunities for businesses to engage with global industry leaders and explore emerging possibilities.

By participating in this event, EFICYENT is looking forward to connecting with other fintech companies, banks, financial institutions, and peer industry stakeholders to share their ideas, discover potential collaborations, and hold a conversation on the growing demand for efficient global payment infrastructure. Also, the company’s presence will provide an opportunity to demonstrate how its capabilities can assist businesses navigating increasingly interconnected financial markets.

Ahead of the participation, Aravinth Ramesh, CTO at EFICYENT, said:

“As financial services entered a chapter where businesses expect something beyond the ability to transfer money. They need payment platforms that offer speed, transparency, flexibility, and access to global markets. So I think events like SFF create a better opportunity to know in which direction the industry is moving, to share our perspectives with industry leaders, and explore partnerships that drive meaningful progress.”

Balasubramanyam K, CEO at EFICYENT, added:

“The future of fintech will be shaped by how effectively technology, financial institutions and payment networks work together. And this SFF event is going to remain an excellent opportunity to connect with industry leaders, better understand emerging requirements, and discover new approaches to making cross-border payments more accessible and efficient.”

About EFICYENT

EFICYENT is a global cross-border payments and financial infrastructure platform that concentrates on enabling seamless international money transfers.

They focus on simplifying international transactions and advancing digital finance. EFICYENT is committed to supporting a seamless and interconnected global payments ecosystem.

Media Contact: 
EFICYENT
Dubai, UAE
Website: https://eficyent.com/ 
Email: support@eficyent.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eficyent/

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SOURCE EFICYENT

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