It's Official

[spinner 0]

Earlier today I was speaking to someone who used to be a registrar and who is still in touch with her old colleagues.

 

She told me that there has been a marked reduction, in the local area, in applications for wedding licences.

 

Bad news for anyone specialising in weddings.

[Dukesy 0]

This doesn't come as a surprise, there is always a few areas still doing well (according to some DJ's), but in the main the Wedding industry is stagnant and has been for some time.

 

Several venues in my area have closed, others have huge banners on their outside perimeter proclaiming their cut priced Wedding Packages for 2011

 

and its set to get worse.

[gadget 0]

Just saw this on our (Bolton) council's website... even they're now offering "packages".

 

"For the first time, The Albert Halls team is offering full wedding day packages at The Albert Halls itself, Mere Hall and Carnegie Hall, in Westhoughton.

 

Wedding packages include a wedding breakfast, evening reception, balloons, wedding favours, table accessories and much more. "

 

 

Doesn't say anywhere if a DJ is included - but wouldn't be surprised. It's a nightmare getting in/out of The Albert Halls though, so wonder how much the DJ is getting for the extra hour loading in, parking the car at a car park a 5 min walk awya, plus the time to pack down & get out (1hr30 for me )

 

Cheers,

 

David

Edited February 16, 2011 by gadget

[sparklingdiscos 0]

theres a lot more competition at the moment especially with Sunday Weddings becoming more and more popular - so theyre all trying their best to get business.

 

the prestige venues seem still to be doing well - up here anyway - but getting regular work at them is difficult - found one this week where a client had booked us only to be told she can only use the venues 'recommended suppliers'!

[1878blues 0]

further confirms what we have recently seen in the market

[Dukesy 0]

found one this week where a client had booked us only to be told she can only use the venues 'recommended suppliers'

 

If you can't beat 'em join them. Maybe we should be paying venue managers a commission to pass on work to us, like we pay an agent. Similar principle, and a fair monetary exchange for services rendered.

 

Or if you don't want to seem tacky, offer to do a handful of 'staff' gigs during the year at a reduced fee / freebie in return for a few grands worth of bookings as their prefered supplier.

 

At the moment, venues are having to reduce prices of their Wedding Packages in order to create custom and compete with the venue over the way. Its not surprising that they are trying to recoup the loss of revenue from dropping the price of the venue hire / wedding package, by also providing other 'in house' services.