Wedding Planning Cutbacks Start with Honeymoon, Flowers, Reception: Survey

Wedding Planning Cutbacks Start with Honeymoon, Flowers, Reception: Survey

Brides are still cutting back on their wedding spending across the board, and the areas where they are scrimping the most is on their honeymoon, flowers/décor and reception catering – all this according to a recent survey by My Wedding Workbook, an online wedding planner.

(Vocus) October 28, 2009 -- The lagging economy has caused almost two-thirds of brides to cut back on their wedding budgets – with honeymoons, flowers/décor and reception catering taking the biggest hit – according to a recent survey of brides conducted by My Wedding Workbook (http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/), an online wedding planner for brides with more than 10,000 active users.

62.2% of the brides surveyed responded that the recent recession has influenced their wedding planning decisions, with 58.7% stating that they have cut back on their honeymoon budget, 58.2% on their flowers and décor and 54.7% on their reception food and drink.

“Brides are certainly trying to squeeze more value out of every part of their wedding budget,” said Jeff Kear, co-owner of My Wedding Workbook and My Wedding Workbook Pro (http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/), which offer online wedding planning software (http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/) tools for brides and wedding consultants, respectively. “And although they are definitely cutting back extensively in those top three areas, our findings show significant cutbacks across the board.”

Brides are also significantly shaving their expenses in many other areas, with 51.2% reporting cutbacks in wedding transportation, 47.3% in photography/videography, 45.8% in the reception venue, 45.3% in number of guests and 39.3% in wedding attire (including wedding gowns).

Of the brides surveyed, almost half (41.3%) stated that their wedding budget was by far the biggest challenge they faced in wedding planning, followed by choosing a venue (13%), family issues (10.9%) and finding the time to plan a wedding (10.9%).

“Even though they are cutting back, brides are getting creative in how they save,” said Kear. “Some of our respondents are moving their wedding to a Friday night or a Sunday so they don’t pay the Saturday premium that many venues charge. Others are planning their ceremony and reception in the same venue. And almost three quarters of the brides we talked to are handmaking at least some of their wedding items to save on costs.”

Some brides are even putting off their big day, with 29.4% saying that they have moved their wedding date further out because of the economy. “That shows how smart and prudent brides are being. If they can’t have the wedding they want sooner, then they will take longer to save up and be more patient.”

But even though brides are paring back in almost all areas, the survey shows that photography/videography and the reception location and catering still remain the biggest priorities for brides.

“Brides want to put on a show, and they want to hold on to the memories,” said Kear. “Even though the economy may be unpredictable, some things never change.”

About My Wedding Workbook

The next-generation wedding planner software (http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/), My Wedding Workbook provides all the tools engaged couples need to manage their wedding details. Its Web-based wedding planning tools are completely free, easy-to-use, comprehensive and let brides track their budgets, guest lists, RSVPs, gifts and every detail for every wedding-related event.

About My Wedding Workbook Pro

My Wedding Workbook Pro is online business management and event planning software for today’s busy wedding consultant. As comprehensive, Web-based wedding consultant software (http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/features.cfm), it delivers all the tools a professional needs to stay organized; offers all the convenience of online software; and allows consultants to share areas of the software with their clients so they can more easily and efficiently collaborate with them.

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Contact Information Jeff Kear

My Wedding Workbook

http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/

303-321-3451 x1