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

For more information about the Top 10 Trends report, go here:

http://www.theweddingreport.com/wmdb/index.cfm?action=reports.index&rpt=top10

Despite the credit crunch, the wedding industry remains steady. Most business reporting sales are good with consumer spending remaining steady. Businesses also reporting that the number of couples getting married remains steady, three month sales expectations are good, but business cost continues to increase.

The primary change from August to September has been that all categories are moving closer to neutral or stayed the same. All indicators point to a steady wedding market.

September 08 Top Results from State of the Industry Vendor Survey

Current Sales, past month: Good at 34%
Amount Spent, past month: Stayed the same at 59%
Couples getting married: Staying the same at 74%
3 Month Expectations: Good at 37%
Business Cost, past month:  Increased at 56%

For more information about the State of the Industry survey, go here:

http://www.theweddingreport.com/wmdb/index.cfm?action=reports.index&rpt=soi

We are working on a new report due out later in October that will focus on the online wedding market. The key points will be; Overall market, Brides use of Internet, Social factors, Future trends, Research vs. purchase online, Research online by month, Top SEO trends, Top 10 wedding sites. You can view the table of contents and pre-purchase this report at a special price.

For more details, click here:
http://www.theweddingreport.com/go.cfm?link=6

1. Couples are interested in cutting costs
2. Untrained and inexperienced photographers are proliferating
3. Bold colors are trendy
4. Brides use the internet to research and purchase products and services
5. Buffet dinners are common
6. Morning and early afternoon weddings are gaining in popularity
7. Couples prefer all-inclusive wedding packages
8. Winter weddings are popular
9. Destination weddings have gotten closer to home
10. Gay weddings have increased in California

For more information about the Top 10 Trends report, go here:
http://www.theweddingreport.com/wmdb/index.cfm?action=reports.index&rpt=top10

Overall, the wedding industry is in good shape. Most business are reporting that current sales are good with consumer spending staying the same as last month. Businesses also reporting that the number of couples getting married is steady, three month expectations are good; however, most are reporting increased cost to run their business. Despite the continued good status, there has been a some slowing.

 The primary change from July to August has been the percent change in current sales and sales expectations from the "Excellent and Good" range.  The change in current sales from "Excellent and Good" was about 5%. Most of the 5% change shifted into the "Fair" range.  The shift in expectations was 5% also. However, most went to the "Neutral" category.

August 08 Top Results from State of the Industry Vendor Survey

Current Sales, past month: Good at 33%
Amount Spent, past month: Stayed the same at 52%
Couples get married: Staying the same at 67%
3 Month Expectations: Good at 37%
Business Cost, past month:  Increased at 55%

For more information about the State of the Industry survey, go here:

Upcoming industry event:

Wedding Merchants Business Academy fifth annual convention.

http://www.weddingmba.com/

While the economy is sluggish in many areas, early indications show the wedding industry is not suffering an extensive slowdown. Couples are spending less, sticking closer to their budget, and scaling back where it makes sense; however, most vendors are reporting normal to better business sales.

Based on current survey results, 26% of couples get a loan to help pay for their wedding.

I am often asked about wedding cost from previous years. The only problem is that we started tracking cost in 2005, so 5-10 year changes is just not something we know yet. However, there are numbers floating around from several sources all the way back to 1990. Here are the details including removed inflation to show the real growth.

Real growth:
1990 to 1999 -3%
1999 to 2002 +9%
2002 to 2007 +9%

Bottom line; over the past 7-8 years, the industry has seen a real growth in spending of 18%

1990,1999 - Source; Christian Science Monitor; 6/4/2001, Vol.93 Issue 132, p12
2002 - Source; Fairchild Bridal Group The American Wedding

A good article about a growing trend in the officiant business; friends or relatives getting ordained to perform the service.