Wedding Limo Anybody? Demand and prices fall for the wedding industry
No industry is immune to the belt-tightening going on during the current recession. Especially the luxury chauffeured transportation business -
wedding limos, party buses, mini-buses and sedans/SUVs have all been popular for weddings. But according to the latest industry report, there has been a 24% decrease in spending for transportation services.
Overall wedding spending has decreased by 24% between 2007 and 2008, dropping from an average cost of $28,704 to $21,814 per wedding, according to industry tracker The Wedding Report of Tucson, AZ.
But while some areas of spending fell - such as transportation and videography, both of which also saw the 24% decrease - some areas overall increased:
- Tuxedo/suit increased by 47%
- Ceremony location increased by 108%
- Bride bouquet increased by 1%
- Brides wedding band increased by 21%
- Grooms wedding band increased by 38%
- Reception bar service increased by 12%
- Reception location increased by 15%
- Reception rentals increased by 84%
According to The Wedding Report, the reasons for the increases include:
- A desire for unique ceremony and reception locations
- The same venue being used for both the ceremony and reception caused increase in location cost and rentals.
- Couples focusing less on engagement rings and more on wedding bands.
With Arizona having some of the toughest DUI laws in the entire country - I'm sure the police officer who pulls over the drunk bride and groom won't be allowed to have too much sympathy for the 'big day' if they get behind the wheel and 'just a few' will land you in the slammer. Not the honeymoon most newlyweds picture.
Source for stats: The Wedding Report
