According to research and statistics from WE tv Networks Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding increased 21.9 percent in the first half of 2010, from $19,581 (in late 2009) to $23,867. That’s a good-size increase for the industry, and it should put a smile on the face of wedding planners everywhere. Despite the slow-to-churn economy, the wedding industry is growing, which means there are opportunities for success at every turn - if you know where to look. While not every service sector saw growth, most of them did. Let’s break down the increase (with more thanks to WE for these numbers):

* Planner/consultant a la carte services were up 84.2% at an average of $1,171.
* Gifts for the bride were up 53.1% at an average of $253.
* Hiring a consultant for initial planning was up 50.4% at an average of $920 - the sector with the biggest gain in spending.
* Other jewelry was down 61.7% at an average of $304.
* Reception accessories was down 55.3% at an average of $200.
* Ceremony accessories was down 49.7% at an average of $207 - the sector with the biggest decline in spending.

Demand went up in the first half of 2010 for products and services. Those with the biggest increases were travel and transportation and musicians, while demand went down the most for facials, manicures and pedicures and teeth whitening.

We don’t think there is a lot of surprise hidden in these numbers. It makes sense that brides are putting their money where it matters most and not with the frivolities often associated with weddings. Hiring a wedding planner to put together a budget at the very beginning makes perfect sense to us, and we’re not surprised to see an increase in that sector of the industry. What does this mean to LWPI’s certified wedding and event consultants? It shows you exactly how to market yourself in this down economy. Showing brides how to get the most bang for their buck is exactly what they’re looking for, and these numbers prove it. It’s easy to get down about business right now if you don’t look for the smaller opportunities. Offering smaller planning packages is a great way to get your foot in the door, and from there you can easily prove to a bride that she can’t live without you.

The Next Big Thing: When it comes to weddings these few words are what every couple strives for. Wouldn’t it be great to start a trend? Jeff and Erin are one couple who are raising the Save-the-Date bar; who needs post cards and magnets when you can make a movie? Or, actually, a trailer for their movie, a.k.a. their wedding! (Perhaps they’ll follow up with a Dance Down the Aisle - remember this?) Some people may say these videos are annoying, but as wedding planners we know that friends and family would flip over something this cute. It would really help couples stand out, and it would be the perfect way to create anticipation for The Big Day!

A wedding is a big deal, and it should be treated as such. It’s the details that make weddings special, and you can’t get much more special than starring in your own epic feature! A certified wedding planner can help couples make their day even more special by introducing them to industry trends and by helping them bring their not-so-traditional ideas to life. Jeff and Erin created an action-movie trailer, but other couples may consider comedy, film-noir or even documentary-style trailers. Perhaps someone filmed their engagement. Maybe they’d like to include their wedding party in their save-the-date video. The possibilities are endless, and a certified wedding planner is just the person to help tap into couples’ creativity and alleviate their stress.

What do you think? Is this an up-and-coming trend? How could you help couples expand this idea and incorporate it into the overall theme of their wedding?

Elections matter.

Perhaps one of the most heartening changes brought about by the latest presidential election is the renewed emphasis of the role of healthy marriages in our society. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michele Obama are being hailed not just as our new First Family, but as examples of what we should all strive for in our marital relationships.

President and First Lady First Dance

From election night predictions of a national, hope-inspired baby boom to their romantic, exquisite first dances on inauguration night, Barack and Michelle Obama have been lauded for their family values and for embracing the American dream of family first. Apart from the visible model, President Obama also appears to back up his conjugal disposition with legislative ambitions geared to both strengthen and promote marriage.

Just after noon on January 20, 2009, the Obama Administration refreshed the official White House website to include a family agenda that features expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act and reintroduction of the Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families Act. At about the same time, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families home page was updated to reflect the new president’s intention to continue the ACF mission “to help couples, who have chosen marriage for themselves, gain greater access to marriage education services, on a voluntary basis, where they can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain a healthy marriage.”

But even our idea of who marries and why has changed over the years.

In August 2001, the American Sociological Review reported that while 90% of American women are predicted to marry at least once in their lifetimes, women who are educated and affluent are marrying more and divorcing less often than their poorer and less-educated counterparts. This “Marriage Gap” is evident when a low-income couple puts off marriage until they can “afford it” despite having children together and a high-income couple sets a wedding date with the idea of starting their family once married.

A majority of young Americans view marriage as a status one builds up to, often through cohabitation first, and definitely after one’s finances are in order. In his November 2004 article in the Journal of Marriage and Family, “The Deinstitutionalization of American Marriage”, Andrew Cherlin explored how the institution of marriage has been weakened by changes in the social norms that define partners’ behavior. He also attempts to answer why so many people still marry or plan to marry when cohabitation and single parenthood are widely acceptable options. The symbolic significance of marriage remains high, but has transformed from a marker of conformity to a marker of prestige.

A 2001 survey by Barbara Whitehead and David Popenoe, titled “The State of Our Unions”, found that over 80% of young women feel it is more important for their husband to be able to communicate his deepest feelings than it is for him to make a good living. Nearly all unmarried respondents agreed that finding their soul mate, as opposed to someone who is a good provider or religiously compatible, is the most important factor in choosing a fiancé.

Cherlin’s findings also indicate that more and more people are viewing the wedding ceremony not as a symbol of their parents’ approval or a reason to have children, but as a statement and celebration of their own status and progress in life.

In the continuing evolution of our view of marital relationships, we can take our lead from the First Family or from our own feelings on why and when we tie the knot. But when it comes to creating the celebrations that connote the prestige, passion, and stability of the modern marriage, we take comfort in the creative and commendable work of Certified Wedding Planners everywhere.

Barack and Michelle Obama Wedding Day