Industry Overview
Weddings can be fairytales come true or they can be small and elegant; sometimes they can be both. There were more than two million weddings in the U.S. last year. The average wedding costs approximately $22,000 and can escalate from that to well over $100,000 depending on menu, gown, flowers, music and all the other items involved in making this a truly special day. In 2008, the overall cost spent for weddings was $59,599,378,360. That’s quite a figure for a one day celebration.
Many weddings today have been downsized. However, the number of guests can still reach 200. The wedding gown is one of the major expenses, with the average cost of a bride’s gown at $900. Of course, there are places like David’s Bridal which is a niche store, selling only wedding gowns, bridesmaids’ dresses and everything needed for the Big Day.
Wedding planners are hired by busy working people who cannot plan their own affair or people who have no idea how to plan a wedding. All the details are placed in their hands including the wedding’s location to the dresses. A wedding planner’s services can cost from $2,000 for a month to over $10,000 a month for celebrity or well known planners.
There is nothing like a wedding in New York, where venues are everywhere, including the magnificent NY Public Library or MOMA. San Francisco weddings have been held on cable cars or in the round houses.
Industry Trends
More themed weddings are being done as couple’s want to embellish on memories they share, places they’ve been together or visions of regal pomp.
Smaller weddings have been popular with previously married people or older people marrying for the first time.
Brand Names
David Tutera and Sasha Souza are two of the top wedding planners.