How the Pandemic Has Impacted the $70B Wedding Industry
You know a pandemic is, like, pretty bad when even a good old fashioned bridezilla can’t get their way. And when we’re talking about an industry whose purse strings are as loose as $70B+, you know it’s, like, really bad. After 2020 couples across the country postponed their big days, the wedding industry was left with a measly $55B. I mean at that point, why even have a purse with so little cash, am I right?
But does that mean big weddings are on the way out? Let’s break it down.
- Alright 2020, did they or didn’t they? Short answer: a little bit of both. While two in three couples opted to reschedule, 36% said “eff it” and found creative ways to make their nuptials a reality. Enter: “micro weddings,” where historically vital planning questions like “Which vineyard venue has the appropriate number of grapes for our ceremony backdrop?” transitioned to “Which streaming platform will keep guests’ microphones muted during our vows?” Where DIY returned to being a skillset versus a mindset. And where love and commitment were the #1 priority…
- Well, not so fast. Move over “micro wedding” and enter: The Double Whammy or Sequel Wedding. AKA a small ceremony now but a large party later. Kind of a business in the front, party in the back situation that is projected to put the industry back on its feet at $73.3B.
So what does all this mean for the latest batch of holiday proposals? Some new trends have been developing. Many of these couples will be turning away from large venues and getting creative with things like edison bulbs and tealights to make their backyards look less backyard-y. They might use Etsy competitor Amazon Handmade to buy adorable personalized sanitizer wedding favors. Because nothing says “love you forever” like isopropyl alcohol.
