How 2020 Changed the Wedding Industry
We all know that 2020 changed the entire world, but as a wedding live streaming platform, we are interested in how it changed the wedding industry in particular.
The Wedding Report provides unbiased wedding statistics for industry professionals by collecting and reporting on data from a range of sources. Recently, they released preliminary results regarding pandemic recovery in the wedding industry.
So, how did COVID affect weddings in 2020 and what will weddings look like in 2021? Let’s take a look at what The Wedding Report found in their research.
· 55% of couples due to be married in 2020 postponed their weddings to 2021 or 2022
· Additionally, guest counts for weddings have been reduced by 40-45%
· And finally, budgets are being cut by 30-35%
At LoveStream, we have witnessed all of this first-hand from the hundreds of weddings we have live streamed in 2020. Many of our couples have already postponed their wedding once and are looking for a way to make their weddings move forward.
One of the main reasons couples come to us to live stream their weddings is because they have had to reduce the number of guests on-site due to gathering restrictions. Others know that attending a wedding or traveling to one may not be safe for immunocompromised guests or older guests and choose to offer a virtual option for these guests.
And of course, one of the biggest cost factors of a wedding is guest count. Most caterers charge on a per-person basis, so you can significantly reduce your budget by reducing your guest count.
What this means for 2021 couples.
Be prepared for competition. In the US, over 2 million weddings are performed each year. If half of those are pushed to the following year, you’ll be looking at over 3 million couples all trying to get married in the same year.
Consider smaller venues. Not all venues can handle a 150-person guest list, so if you are set on inviting a lot of people, you might limit your choice of venues. Consider, instead, a smaller in-person wedding with a virtual wedding component for off-site guests.
Need help making your 2021 wedding go on as planned? Book a virtual wedding today to ensure that all of your loved ones can attend and help you celebrate, whether they are at your venue or on your couch.
photo credit: Dear Edith and Lily