Top 10 Wedding Trends for 10/2008

[HotHolly]

I found this info. The summary is pretty accurate from what Im seeing here (bridal shop).
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September 08 Top 10 Wedding Industry Trends
Posted At : October 1, 2008 | Posted By : Shane McMurray
Related Categories: Industry

1. Holding weddings on off-peak days, times and months is more common
2. Budgets are shrinking and couples are looking for bargains
3. Do-it-yourself projects are replacing wedding products and services
4. Using ipods and mp3 players for music is trendy
5. Outdoor weddings are very popular
6. Couples and guests prefer buffet reception dinners over sit-down meals
7. Photography is more often done by amateurs, friends or family members
8. Brides are spending less on wedding gowns
9. Bright, bold colors are fashionable
10. Destination weddings are becoming more popular

[ara.bentley]

just got married Dec. 29th 2007. Did 6 of these 10!

[kenw]

I had read that destination weddings were on the way out.


personally i find them pretentious and guache.....

[Jessica Merritt]

I got married this year and did a bunch of these too.

Although I am not sure the friend photographer counts, as he is a wedding photographer in Washington. We also DIYed our invitations/save the dates/programs, but we do that for other people as part of our business!

Things that definitely count: outdoor wedding, buffet dinner, brother in law DJed from a MacBook, got a bargain on reception venue/alcohol by having it at St. Arnold's Brewery.

I was tempted to have a destination wedding, but my husband was not having that.

[Collins]

Originally Posted by kenw

I had read that destination weddings were on the way out.


personally i find them pretentious and guache.....

I think those descriptors could apply to a wedding in any setting.

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I found this info. The summary is pretty accurate from what Im seeing here (bridal shop).
------------------------------------------------------------
September 08 Top 10 Wedding Industry Trends
Posted At : October 1, 2008 | Posted By : Shane McMurray
Related Categories: Industry

1. Holding weddings on off-peak days, times and months is more common
2. Budgets are shrinking and couples are looking for bargains
3. Do-it-yourself projects are replacing wedding products and services
4. Using ipods and mp3 players for music is trendy
5. Outdoor weddings are very popular
6. Couples and guests prefer buffet reception dinners over sit-down meals
7. Photography is more often done by amateurs, friends or family members
8. Brides are spending less on wedding gowns
9. Bright, bold colors are fashionable
10. Destination weddings are becoming more popular

I guess it depends on the clients you are working with. The weddings we are booking are the same upscale weddings we did in 2007 and 2008, most are using Wedding Planners, live bands are more the norm, most are set down dinners, and thank God they are booking professional photographers. We have a New Years Eve wedding that will be filmed by the “Platinum Wedding” TV show and this wedding is truly over the top. The year of 2009 is already booked with more weddings than we did in 2008. Maybe we have been lucky or it is just the brides and wedding planners that use us. Once in a while we get a lower end bride but they still are willing to pay our prices. I don’t want to seem that I am bragging, I’m not, it is just that I haven’t seen the downturns that people are talking about, and I am not looking forward to seeing them.

[HotHolly]

The information above was provided by a national statistics company, The Wedding Report, Inc. They give monthly reports based on national surveys. The above is showing trends, which shows the majority. So, statistically, most brides arent on Platinum Weddings. Consider yourself lucky.

[toverman]

The report doesn't mention that following trend No. 7 has the potential to add No. 11: "Lamenting the fact that the wedding photographs suck and the special day is left practically undocumented."

Maybe a trend we can capitalize on is after-the-fact couple shots or ceremony re-enactments for those who are disappointed with their day-of photos. Some are probably already doing this. Or maybe market to elopers who are already saving so much money by skipping much of the traditional purchases (yet they don't plan ahead enough!).

[melonheadphoto]

Sometimes I begin to think it is better to be a professional and advertise as a amateur! lol

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by ara.bentley

just got married Dec. 29th 2007. Did 6 of these 10!

Got married in 1982. Did 6 of the 10.

I got married 15 years ago and did 6 of the 10.

[HotHolly]

The website this info is from has more specific info under each category. They do track wedding photography as a specific category. For the last 3 months, consecutively, they have reported brides using friends, armature, untrained photographers, and getting photography that is lacking or substandard. They reported that those hiring a pro are choosing entry level packages. Remember this is national trends, so it may or may not be what you are seeing locally.

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by Collins

I think those descriptors could apply to a wedding in any setting.

[Norma_S]

Did 3 of 10 back in '76 and 5 of 10 in '98. So I guess that has to be true, eh? Afterall, we did read it on the Internet!

[OTRphoto]

I'm getting married in June 09.. and doing 8 of the 10
www.AaronMelinda.com

2. Budgets are shrinking and couples are looking for bargains

We are holding our wedding the same day as his family reunion - so the place is already rented..

3. Do-it-yourself projects are replacing wedding products and services

Well - I didn't do the, but I just bought a bunch of decorations from Craigslist that someone else made

4. Using ipods and mp3 players for music is trendy

Since our reception is actually the family reunion.. this is all we are planning.

5. Outdoor weddings are very popular

Getting married next to a creek at a state park.

6. Couples and guests prefer buffet reception dinners over sit-down meals

We offered to cater the reunion - but his mom insisted that we just do pot-luck, as always.

7. Photography is more often done by amateurs, friends or family members

Ok - so the friend is a pro photographer.. but still counts in the list

8. Brides are spending less on wedding gowns

I won't be buying mine until right before the wedding - so it probably will be "inexpensive" and very understated

10. Destination weddings are becoming more popular

The State park is in West Virginia - so it's not a popular wedding destination, but it's still a destination.. lol