The wedding industry could be described as ‘recession proof’ as spending looks set to continue in spite of the economic downturn. The credit crunch is actually leading to record numbers of young couples getting married. It is believed the trend is down to more people seeking security and stability during a time of financial uncertainty. Some wedding venues have seen an increase in business of 70 per cent compared to 12 months ago while register offices are fully booked for months ahead.

As of 1^st February 2009 the Westminster register office in London already had 776 bookings for 2009 compared with a total of 1,457 services conducted for the whole of 2008. Registrars in Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester have also reported an increase in weddings and civil partnerships for this year.

Lancaster University social scientist Professor Cary Cooper, said: ‘The increase in marriages makes sense. If you are feeling insecure, as people are now, then you are going to want to try to bring some stability to their lives. ‘When times get tough you are going to look more for security in relationships.’

The biggest rise in marriages during the last century came in 1940, triggered by the start of the Second World War.

Couples do appear to be becoming more financially savvy, and will try to cut costs wherever they can. More couples are now opting for winter ceremonies instead because venues and catering can be up to 50 per cent cheaper after the peak summer rush. Retailers claim the trend is the biggest change to hit the wedding market since the 1940s.

And it is having a huge impact upon the style of dresses and wedding gowns chosen as brides have to wrap up warmer for their big day. Department store Debenhams saw 22 per cent of its total annual wedding attire sales and hires in November and December this year, compared to just 4 per cent in the same period last year.

Bookings for chilly months January and February are also up, with rises so far of 38 per cent and 31 per cent respectively compared to last year’s figures. But sales for June, July and August took a hammering this year, with an overall shift of 38 per cent away from the peak summer months. Debenhams spokesman Ed Watson: “We’ve never seen such a dramatic change to traditional weddings. There’s no doubt that getting married is just as popular as ever, despite the credit crunch, but couples now believe they can get better value by putting cost before centigrade.”

Demand for winter wedding wear has been so great that the chain has asked its designers to review its entire collection to ensure there are enough warmer garments to meet the rising demand across its 150 British stores. The company is even considering extending its wedding range to include items such a white knee-high boots, fur lined coats, ear muffs, cardigans, long johns, scarves, and a white, wedding night hot water bottle. Demand for strapless dresses, halter necks, skimpy lingerie, and open toes shoes has slumped, researchers found. Mr Watson added: “After all, no one wants goose bumps to be the most prominent feature on their wedding photographs, so sophisticated but warm attire is the order of the day.”

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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 at 7:45 am and is filed under Wedding News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.