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Raleigh,NC..The previous year of 2009 was a depressing time to plan a wedding. With the economy in the dumps and persistent fear of job loss, most couples were in no position to plan an extravagant wedding. Even those lucky few without money woes knew that a lavish wedding would appear tacky in troubled financial times, so local brides scaled down their festivities to more modest proportions than in the recent past. The start of 2010, however, has brought a renewed sense of optimism to many, especially brides. Although most North Carolina brides still say that budget is a top priority for their weddings, a festive spirit has begun to reemerge in 2010 weddings.
Certainly the dreary financial climate did not prevent brides in North Carolina from tying the knot last year, but there was a definite feeling of austerity to the weddings they planned. Nationwide, it is estimated that the cost of the average wedding decreased by over 10% in 2009, so it is no surprise that most marriage celebrations were scaled back in both size and opulence. This trend appears set to move in the other direction for 2010. Although it is too soon to estimate what the average bride will spend on her wedding in 2010, it is clear within the bridal industry that brides are starting to move back towards planning more festive affairs.
The difference between 2010 weddings and those from three or four years ago is that while optimism is on the upswing, brides and their families are still keeping a close eye on the budget. The freewheeling, free-spending attitude that prevailed among brides several years ago has not yet returned. North Carolinians are striking a balance between restraint and splurging that may well become the norm for wedding planning for the next several years. Budget-conscious brides are splurging selectively on one or two of the wedding elements which are most significant to them, often as a way to personalize their events, but are still sticking closely to their budgets and seeking discounts whenever possible.
The financial constraints placed on weddings over the last year or two have had one positive outcome: with less money to spend, couples have put more emphasis on the meaning behind a wedding than on the showmanship of the event. Smaller affairs have become more family-oriented, as can be seen in the trend towards “family style” reception dinners. The state and the country's financial crisis put an abrupt end to the “keeping up with the Joneses” style of wedding planning which had become prevalent. As ostentation fell out of fashion, North Carolina brides turned their attention to creating weddings which were memorable because of their meaningful and personal details rather than their expensive trappings. As optimism creeps ever higher, one can only hope that the brides of 2010 will remember that hard-learned lesson.
