New Head of IBMA Accepts ABPIA Offer to Work Together

Posted on April 4, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned that Hedy Lapkin, the new head of IBMA, has reached out to Steve Lang to work together on the issue of Chinese counterfeiting. In less than 48 hours the wedding industry, specifically gown makers and retailers, were updated with some disturbing newZ about the difficult road that lies ahead to fight off the piracy plaguing the business.

 

Slowly but surely,  Steve Lang continues to rally support in the wedding industry.

 

Lang broke away from the IBMA to start the ABPIA last year and has now pulled a power-play by paying his membership dues to the abandoned organization. In a written e-mail Lang gave his personal invitation to Lapkin and told eWedNewz;

“I was contacted by Hedy Lapkin today. She wants to work with us on counterfeiting effort. She will group with me after I return from Asia. She apologized that I did not receive original email from IBMA. [She] said it was oversight, but no matter, we are now  members of IBMA. I take this as a positive sign and I will help them in any way possible to fight pirates,” according to Lang.

Wedding dress retailers picked up on frustration and personal opinions given on my Facebook wall shared after reporting China efforts to disrupt and destroy American business.  Stunned retailers say they look forward to greater unity and coöperation among wedding industry professionals to set aside personal differences and work together against the common enemy.

 

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses Tagged: , , , , ,

IBMA gets new President | Hedy S. Lapkin Executive Director, IBMA

Posted on April 2, 2013 Written by 1 Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

The IBMA has risen again and lives but eWedNewz once again asks: for how long?

 

The ABPIA was formed by a former member of the IBMA group called Steve Lang. Over a year ago, Lang left the group and formed his own organization, ABPIA, to wage war against Chinese pirates.

 

The IBMA is trying to re-launch their organization naming Hedy S. Lapkin as Executive Director. Hedy and her husband, Ed, owned a big bridal shop in Richmond, VA, reportedly one of the best stores in the country.  Ultimately, the store went bankrupt in the late 80′s or early 90′s.   Hedy took a job with David’s Bridal and successfully transferred from David’s to Priscilla of Boston, selling Priscilla to bridal shops.

Hedy touched base with former members of the Bridal Manufacturing group saying:

Dear Former Bridal IBMA Member,

A new and exciting time is presenting itself to all the members past and present of the manufacturing and related industries for the Bridal Industry.

I am Hedy Lapkin, newly appointed Executive Director of IBMA. As your executive director I have challenged myself, with your support and the support of the existing Board to create meaningful ways to utilize your funds that the organization is holding in reserve.

We can and will be a strong voice with your support for the Wholesale Bridal Industry and be responsible for the funds you helped to create. We will provide benefits for our members and at the same time gain recognition as The Trade Association. It is our desire to listen to your needs, create a call to action, and deliver on the most pressing and beneficial needs and wants to benefit our members.

Many of you as former members paid annual dues while other members were involved and participated in the Las Vegas Market.

The Industry is confronted with a wide variety of challenges, and presently the IBMA is in the best position to represent many of the needs of Manufactures of the Bridal Industry.

eWedNewz has learned that Lang congratulated Hedy in her new role and wanted to continue his membership with IBMA. An e-mail to Hedy reads as follows:

Dear Hedy,

Congratulations on your new position.

I sent you in my application several weeks ago when this mailer came out.  As a previous contributors to the funds sitting in IBMA coffers I want my firm to be a member.

Please email me back a confirmation that we are now members and we will be copied on all meeting dates, happenings  and mailings. Mon Cheri was not sent the email about free membership for those that rejoin by May 1. Another manufacturer sent it to me.   Thanks for including me in future emails and, as requested already, please confirm we are now members again.

I stand ready to help you any way I can if you tackle counterfeiting. The more the merrier.

Sincerely,

Steve  Lang

 

According to ongoing polls so-far:

27%  feel there is a poor to impossible chance of beating online piracy.

71% feel there is a fair to excellent chance of beating online piracy.

 

91% of replies so-far say they would support a wedding industry organization if it offered good benefits, value, isn’t too expensive to join and was properly run.

6% say they would not join an industry organization.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, retail, Uncategorized, wedding industry Tagged: , ,

David’s Bridal Banks on Digital as Print Continues to Suffer

Posted on March 19, 2013 Written by 2 Comments

By Paul Pannone

In an ongoing story a Press release by David’s Bridal gives strong indication they’re shifting more focus and resources to online, digital formats; going where today’s brides are. The move is consistent with eWedNewz reporting citing the outgoing CEO’s lack of prowess in the digital age and greater desire to make the necessary changes to keep David’s Bridal in their leadership role.

 

A Press Release from David’s Bridal includes findings from their 7th annual What’s On Brides’ Minds Survey. David’s Bridal found that the 2013 bride will plan, chronicle and culminate all of her wedding details with the help of social media, ranging from Pinterest to Facebook to Skype, banging the steady beat of declining use of print for wedding planning even louder.

According to David’s Press release;

“The big news is that everything has gone digital, and the new tools of the trade are a smart phone or a computer instead of a wedding binder.”

eWedNewz reported David’s Bridal was on the auction block last June, under mounting pressure as a giant leader in a declining market. After shedding losing parts of their business while adding designer brand Vera Wang, sources near the story tell eWedNewz the shift to digital is a natural progression and plan execution to stay in the leadership role in a changing market.

Current poll results show 62% of replies feels Leonard Green was smart in dumping their majority stake in David’s Bridal, 12% say they weren’t. Undecided, 23% say it remains to be seen. With the current Press release we will be watching the poll results very carefully.

 

 

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Advertising and Marketing, Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Poll, retail, Social Media, The Groom, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry Tagged: , , , ,

Hey Brooks Brothers are you OK?

Posted on March 13, 2013 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

Founded in 1818 as a family business, Brooks Brothers is the oldest men’s clothier chain in the United States. The private company has been owned by Retail Brand Alliance since 2001 and is headquartered on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York City. During its rich history the company gave such notables like Ralph Lauren their start. The iconic company’s legacy is secure in history but a closer look shows the difficulty of executing their long-standing tradition in the current economic environment isn’t easy.

At $135 dollars Brooks Brother Supima Twill dress shirt gives their customers what they want and what the company is known for.

Known for their quality, choice of fabric materials and construction Brooks Brothers products appeals to an older generation who know good from bad. But in a current market where H & M is the benchmark, it’s getting harder to justify the price of a suit, shirt or accessory– or even shopping at one of their conservative stores.

Personal experience and preference often takes us into one of the stores just to see where they’re at. At around $100 dollars for a simple shirt it’s a stretch to justify a purchase save for only the most important occasion. It’s sometimes OK to splurge and get something for yourself and not bother to look at the price-tag. But for everyday clothes there are options. As a base Brooks Brothers still appeals to successful Wall Street and other financial professionals, doctors, lawyers, etc.  But in today’s economy it’s doubtful the market is growing with any kind of robust, measurable scale.

According to men’s apparel veterans and fashion watchers, including Paul Eilenberg, the company gets it right 95% of the time. But in their search and struggle to appeal to a new customer breaking tradition is a painful process to watch. This week we saw the  latest attempt ; it was like painfully watching Santa Clause trying to break dance.

At $675 dollars I want to meet and interview the guy that buys this outfit from the new Fleece collection.

eWedNewz got a look at what Eilenberg identified as the 5% this week and wondered how things really are at Brooks Brothers.  On Twitter, one of many gauges we look at these days, the company boasts a formidable 31, 500 followers. H & M has 1.8 million. Yes, we know, two totally different markets. But we also don’t see H & M trying to be the conservative company Brooks Brothers is known for.

What do you think?

When shopping for a simple dress shirt, how much would you spend?

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Economic news, General News, Ralph Lauren, retail, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , , , ,

New Tuxedo Product Launch to Break the Long Losing Streak

Posted on March 12, 2013 Written by 2 Comments

By Paul Pannone

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a new product launch to formal wear specialists to give consumers what they really want and a wind-fall return for their effort. eWedNewz is gathering the facts learning of a new, updated classic formal wear product– at an affordable price– to encourage consumers to go formal when in doubt.

A look at the market shows people who are using tuxedos for their event search for better, branded products. An ongoing investigation shows today’s consumers want softer fabrics and updated fit.

 

eWedNewz is gathering the facts and will release the information here, first. Until then, we’ll wait.

 

The product is being developed and tested by a manufacturing source that is willing to give us the entire story once all the details get worked out.

“It will be worth the wait,”

was all we can get as a statement. But what we do know is the classic update addresses the fit for a new generation of consumer who does not want to wear their father’s tuxedo.

Part of the issue involves what new name brand the line will be launched under. With several probabilities, we’re banking on a long-established name with a fresh appeal to a new customer. Details will be released here as an eWedNewz Exclusive, once they’re provided to us.

 

Do you think the tuxedo (business) is ready for a makeover?

 

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Ongoing Story Investigation, retail, The Groom Tagged: , , , ,

The Little Business That Might

Posted on March 6, 2013 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

What started as a story about bypassing retailers and online sales turned into an impromptu campaign for supporting small business. For years the battle between small, independent store owners and big box operators has raged on. But now small businesses are losing the battle against the onslaught of competition and price-cutting from all sides, including online sales.

 

So-far 60% of an eWedNewz poll says big box operators can be beat  if small (minded) business owners can start thinking like real business people.

 

According to dress retailer, Jacqui Wadsworth;

“The plight of the small business is really more complex than fighting against big box stores. Small businesses are fighting on an 8-fold problem. They must compete with big box stores, internet sales sites with legitimate products similar to their own, knock-off sites with products appearing to be similar to their own, and sites with used products with better
name brands from gowns to decorations, compete with their own industry’s manufacturers who are getting online, they must do the best job they can in economic downturn times with less staff, which leaves less time for learning better business practices, and for having an online presence in a social networking world, and they have less cash reserves with which to do all of the above. Small businesses who find their “niche” will do well and those who continue on with old business paradigms will be gone. The amazing fact is that so many people are continuing to jump into the bridal and wedding services industry thinking it’s a cash cow industry.”

Wadsworth is a member of the Wedding Water Cooler discussion group and agrees with other members that competition will continue to grow, despite the shrinking wedding market.  In addition, Wadsworth WWC members lash out at so-called “experts” saying:

“Wedding experts with “twenty” plus years experience now giving seminars on how to double your existing business. I think all those people are people who couldn’t make a go of it in their field, and now just want a payday for poor information based on the mistakes they made that put them out of business. The sad news; desperate people will fall for that crap because they love the business. The even more pitiful fact is whatever put the so-called experts out of business is probably all old news because our industry is changing so quickly. That’s a lose/lose proposition.”

In the poll 25% of respondents so-far say  there is no way small businesses are going to win against big box retailers. Discussions with those who feel that way are insiders with access to major suppliers with insight to the plan of simply doing it better, faster and more conveniently than smaller competition. According to eWedNewz sources pricing will not necessarily be cheaper but will give consumers greater value and reasons to shop with them.

Like the Little Engine That Could, small businesses today face increasingly difficult odds against the growing strength of big box operators.

What do you say?

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Poll, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, wedding industry, Wedding Marketing Scams Tagged: , , ,

An Angel among Wedding Planner Thieves

Posted on February 22, 2013 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

 

The top story this week paralleled the wedding business to the sinking ship, Titanic, including staunch believers that everything old will become new again, just like the rich passengers that didn’t bother to heed the warning of impending danger the night the unsinkable ship sank.

Negative response to the coverage on Social Networks was overshadowed by members of the wedding business who say they’re fed up with a catty business where opinionated, self-proclaimed experts purport their views as authoritative information and aspire to “teach” the others why they’re not as successful as they are.   But truth be told, a closer look at many of the worst offenders shows their own house in disarray with a list of failures along the way.

This week members of the Wedding Water Cooler discussed  the usual array of topics but focused on the rising unrest in the wedding business due to more competition and growing economic concerns. According to the discussions part of the trouble is pinpointed to the common approach of inflicting opinion as fact. In discussions wedding planners– some not all– are seen as overbearing, over-confident and downright nasty, giving all planners a negative persona from the start. But, like we said, some– not all.

Wendy Hartigan owner of Wendy’s Affairs of Heart is a Wedding Planner based in Philadelphia who is committed to ensuring that the needs of every bride are met. With years in the bridal industry, Wendy truly understands the ins and outs of how to create a beautiful wedding. As the Wedding Planner Extraordinaire, Wendy turns the dreams of every bride into a reality.

 

 

Among the Angels is Wendy Hartigan a planner from the Philadelphia region. Wendy’s Affairs of the Heart was founded by Hartigan. Ms. Hartigan’s background is in restaurant management and events planning. She also has experience in sales, design and construction of wedding gowns and has done some backstage theater work — costume design and construction and dressing.

According to Hartigan,” The day is about the bride, not about the wedding planner. I get satisfaction from seeing a perfect day and a happy bride.”

According to sources who know Wendy, she may be “Too nice”, lacking the aloofness that is reported a standard among event planners. When eWedNewz confronted Hartigan with the statement she blew off the  idea as nonsense and replied;

“I intend to keep working my tail off for the bride and making sure I do everything I can to make sure she gets the day she’s always dreamed of.”

Hartigan’s tenacious approach is admired and respected by peers and other members of the Wedding Water Cooler group who understand the adversities she faces on her unorthodox path– of actually caring. eWedNewz caught up with Hartigan this week, blogging about the return of the tuxedo. After years of decline updated styles and fabrics caught Hartigan’s attention so she decided to write about some of the changes; but not in the usual planner way.

 

Lauren Ralph Lauren tuxedos

When wedding planners use tuxedos all are familiar with the Ralph Lauren brand.

 

“When I want factual information and the latest products I go to the experts in their field, not try to concoct an opinion and pawn it off as fact,” says Hartigan.

In her post The Best Dressed Groom she covers all the latest information about current tuxedo styles and gets applause from major fashion sources in the wedding business, including Bridal Gide VP Jim Duhe. Duhe, an avid supporter of tuxedo rentals, who has spent most of his career trying to help the failing tux rental business, had this to say about Hartigan’s post in the Cooler discussions:

“Oh My God! I must be in the Twilight Zone — or maybe I’m dreaming — or maybe I’ve crossed over. Wendy, you did an amazing job.  Please accept this in the spirit in which it’s offered.  I can’t recall the last time I complimented ANYONE about a feature on tuxedos.”

Duhe’s obvious snub to this reporter who comes from the tuxedo rental business arrives after years of “encouragement” to speak up about tuxedo rentals and what a lousy job everyone– manufacturers, retailers and fashion editors– have done to promote their use to consumers. But after asking for current information about the latest fit and styles, Wendy Hartigan was able to pull a fantastic post together that tells the truth and cannot be dismissed by competitors who say people get paid to say nice things about branded formal wear.

Wendy Hartigan tells eWedNewz she will continue to fight for her wedding couple clients in her local market and chastise planners who make it about them– all while applauding others who share her sentiments to put the bride first, last and everywhere in between.

 

eWedNewz

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Ralph Lauren, retail, The Groom, tuxedos, wedding industry, Wedding planners, Wedding Water Cooler Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

More Wedding Business Professionals are hurting than ever; Really?

Posted on January 2, 2013 Written by 2 Comments

By Paul Pannone

Yes, really; they are. The statement is in response to a story at Think Like a Bride that begins:

“I read an article recently saying that the wedding industry is in worse shape than anyone is willing to admit. Really? Then I have a slew of people lying to me. Or maybe my followers are just a little smarter than the rest.”

eWedNewz reader and wedding service provider, Mary Bower, gives her view on what is happening in the business. Coincidentally her views match countless others.

In an ongoing eWedNewz story and further discussions on Social Networks and  in every format including the Wedding Water Cooler most wedding professionals  we’ve spoken with reluctantly agree things are not good. For the few who want to dispute the findings, citing how well they’re doing– they are the exception– not the rule.

To some hopefuls who dismiss all other information, facts and opinions; subscribe to their own methods of collecting, slicing and dicing information, everything is fine or bound to get better. For some the presentation and argument they make boarders on insanity.

We’ve often quoted Christine Boulton, owner of Think Like A Bride, agreeing with many aspects of the wedding business. But many is not all. Boulton cannot dispute she works with talented, successful local vendors who can afford her services. But for the average wedding service provider–  we speak to many as an informational newZ source– the story is quite different. Many were forced to change the way they conduct their business, adapting to the shift in expectations by consumers who want what they want when they want it and refuse to pay full price. In the thousands of discussions over the past five years not one vendor says they’re doing well running their business the same way they did in the past.

Mary Bower relied to the story and had this to say:

Hi Paul,  I read your article and of course, I have to comment :)  I have a niche here in Lansing, MI where I sell wedding invitations, it’s a side business, thank goodness. I give great service, have great lines. But I believe you are seeing a faltering of the wedding industry because of the economy. Young people are being especially budget conscience these days  They are having difficulty landing good paying jobs, leave college with lots of debt (most of them) and they struggle. unlike we did in the 80′s when jobs were plentiful for us in the yuppie crowd.

I am hanging on to my business, moved it back home from a brick and mortar and am hoping for the best this 2013 wedding season.  I could not survive on invitations alone now and am branching out to do other things, such as candy buffets that may reach a bigger consumer pool other than weddings. Each year now, I often wonder what stationery company will call it quits and leave me holding the bag, like Encore did!

I am also working on a new business that is totally not wedding related to fill the gap.  These are crazy times, and the outcome will be fewer wedding professionals getting out of the business.  Some clean up will be good, as many who got into the business after 2008 thought it would sustain them. My God, have you noticed how many people suddenly became “wedding photographers”  or “cupcake bakers?”   It used to be that there was plenty of room for everyone, but now that is shrinking.

As always, I hope for a prosperous 2013, but this year, (I’m) not taking on new lines, sticking with what I have and hoping for the best!

Mary C. Bower

Occasions

Mary is one of the majority of wedding business owners that are telling it like it is on a national scale. Further exchanges with Mary say many wedding-related businesses in her area are closing and getting out, no longer able to keep holding on.

In an ongoing poll 31% of responses so-far say the wedding business is deteriorating. 20% say the wedding business is stuck in neutral.  11% feels the wedding business has not yet hit bottom for a 62% total negative connotation. On the positive side 13% says the wedding business has hit bottom and is climbing nicely. 20% of response so-far say the wedding business is recovering but very slowly.

What do you think?

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Advertising and Marketing, Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Shops, Data, Economic news, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, facts and figures, General News, Invitations, Photography, Poll, Research, retail, Uncategorized, wedding industry, Wedding planners, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites Tagged: ,

The Wedding Business Rocked by Market Facts and Truth

Posted on December 27, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

In the closing days of 2012 the wedding business is buzzing because of newZ involving major companies who are bailing out of the business, bringing investors in to shoulder the financial burden and responsibility of trying to run a profitable business in the shrinking wedding market.

Yesterday’s story, The Wedding Business in Worse Shape than First Thought, drew reaction in all social media formats and plenty of private response from industry veterans who would like to dispute the newZ– but can’t.

 

 ”I’ll also bet that few if any of the existing US manufacturers close this year or next, the number will represent an insignificant percentage of the total. Is there anyone out there who will take the bet?” says Jim Duhe.

 

Jim Duhe gave his usual response in his own style saying;

 ”Your story isn’t a cheerful launch pad for the start of the new year. Certain aspects may or may not be accurate but I’m not alone in refusing to accept that the sky isn’t falling — at least not quite yet.  The average age of couples who wed has increased each decade since the turn of the 20th century.  When I joined the bridal industry in the 1970′s, we advised advertisers that “brides are older, better educated, and more affluent than ever before in history.”  It was a documented fact in the 1970′s.  It was equally true in the 1980′s.  It was true in the 1990′s.  It was true in the first decade of the 21st century.  It’s still true today.

However, age, education, and affluence don’t necessarily mean that a death knell is replacing wedding bells or that traditional weddings no longer represent a preferable life style choice for a meaningful number of Americans. Research conducted by Bridal Guide and all other publications as well as by prominent on line bridal sites like The Knot indicates that the number of destination weddings that take place in foreign countries is substantial.

Because foreign countries are not required to report the number of US citizens who marry to the Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare, it’s difficult/virtually impossible to determine the exact number of Americans who marry annually.   Therefore, it’s difficult/virtually impossible to verify that the total number of American weddings has declined substantially in recent years.  Regardless, many people who select to have a destination wedding continue to purchase bridal apparel in this country. They still create wedding gift registries in this country.

Long range business success requires much more than keeping up with trends. It’s essential to run one step (or more) ahead of them.  Conceptually, the challenges to bridal retailers created by online bridal apparel sales in 2013 aren’t  dramatically different from those offered by direct mail purchases (JC Penney, Sears, et.al.) in the 1980′s.  However, direct mail bridal apparel had an Achilles heel that online retailers don’t have: return policies.  The vast majority of online sales are generated by companies that are headquartered in foreign countries.  These companies can’t be forced to comply with US laws regarding merchandise returns.

Because the majority of China/direct sites offer positive consumer reviews (that may or may not be complete fabrications) consumers are lulled into a sense of security in their buying decision.  Unfortunately, prominent “money back guarantees” offered by China/direct companies generally are unenforceable.  There’s little if anything that a consumer can do to secure a refund for merchandise that is unacceptable or substandard.   Unlike complaints posted on Google, Wedding Wire, and others sites, there is no place for a consumer to publicize a complaint about a China/direct web site purchase.  It’s a perfect storm for China/direct sites:  on site comments are consistently positive; there’s no way for anyone to complain publicly.

Frankly, I don’t have answers to many of the questions that plague independent bridal retailers or tuxedo rental specialists.  However, that doesn’t mean that answers don’t exist.  It may well be that the number of existing independent bridal apparel stores will suffer from attrition. That’s a distinct possibility.  However,  I’ll bet you that new bridal retailers will launch in 2013, 2014, 2015, and beyond.

Seasoned bridal industry experts predicted that there were far too many bridal manufacturers — that there would be a “fall out” in the 1970′s — in the 1980′s — in the 1990′s — in 2000.  These predictions continue today. I’ll bet that there will be more bridal brand names in 2013 than there were in 2012.  There probably will be even more in 2014.   I’ll also bet that few if any of the existing US manufacturers close this year or next, the number will represent an insignificant percentage of the total. Is there anyone out there who will take the bet?”, said Duhe.

Duhe’s statement started strong but seemed to fall asleep by its end. So did that of Christine Boulton, who called to discuss the story. Boulton proposed there are clients who are doing well in the wedding business. We never suggested there weren’t. But Boulton could not argue there are fewer wedding industry professionals doing well than there are doing terrible. In fact none of the discussions could challenge any of the central points of the story. Simply put, the increasing challenges against a shrinking (traditional) market will not lead to a happy ending.

The story dates back to 2009 when companies like David’s Bridal sought positive data, wanting to know when the wedding industry would recover. No such information existed but through hocus-pocus hypotheses (guessing) there would be a spring-back in the wedding business. To date it doesn’t seem likely.

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation concludes the data failed to include variables, including the languishing economy that will continue to plague a full recovery in spending for traditional wedding goods and services. The results, exacerbated by growing competition in all areas of the wedding business, dilutes the ability to command higher prices from consumers. The decline of over four years with no end in sight resulted in decisions by major wedding companies, including owners of David’s Bridal, Leonard Green and Associates, to divest themselves from a majority stake in the wedding business.

The statement is supported by an overnight shift since the story released. An ongoing poll feels the wedding business is deteriorating (29%), stuck in neutral (15%) or is yet to reach the bottom (13%).

What do you say?

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, Bridal Shows, catering, Data, DJ Disc Jockeys, Economic news, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, Florists, General News, GLBT, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Photography, Poll, retail, The Groom, The Knot, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Water Cooler Tagged: , , , , , ,

The Wedding Business in Worse Shape than First Thought

Posted on December 26, 2012 Written by 9 Comments

By Paul Pannone

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation shows the wedding business is in worse shape than anyone is willing to admit. Information and interviews across all channels of the business, including the part reported to be the most important; the dress business, shows severe damage caused by the collapse of the economy in 2008 and a slow recovery through 2011 and most of 2012.

Like brides, dresses come in all colors, not just white. Tuxedos have been replaced by black suits, navy and tan colors and everything you can imagine.

eWedNewz watches trends that includes the longer wait of men and women deciding to get married. The average age for first-time marriages continues to rise.

“The median age for a man’s first marriage was 28.2 years in 2010, up from 26.1 in 1990. The median age for a woman’s first marriage was 26.1 years in 2010, up from 23.9 in 1990,” according to www.infoplease.com  sourcing  U.S. Bureau of the Census information.

According to Census information the combined average age of men and women since 1960 has increased nearly 21% and has continues to rise world-wide. World trends show an even greater increase to resisting marriage. In the UK the average age for men and women hit 30 years this year citing Pew research while exploring probable causes.

Shedding tradition and traditional values continues to affect the number of marriages but also the formality of those weddings that do take place. Stylish, non-traditional weddings express the thoughts of couples who no longer want to be told what to wear, how to feel or plan their day.

Trends and shifts from normal wedding business finds those who plan to stay in the business are forced to change their operations to adapt to the shrinking numbers. Khalilah Olokunola of A Boxed Event and member of the Wedding Water Cooler shared her thoughts in the controversial forum:

“Many vendors I know have tripled up-not fine tuning their business to meet the demands of the changed times but instead (add) a whole new business . IT seems acceptable in some circles to be the baker, designer, director,planner and videographer- and no I’m not making that up there is a business that offers that.

Gone seems the days where you have to have skill and experience before you could add a title to your name. If you truly want to be successful you have to work hard, hustle hard and accept constructive criticism from more seasoned veterans. Geez I do all the time , I’m a coolie.

With brides and other “socialistas” decreasing their average budgets we all find ourselves redeveloping our business plans and offerings but still maintaining our integrity by offering the better bang for your buck,” says Khalilah.

Khalilah and others say the wedding business is flooded with services and products, challenging the pricing ability for vendors who seem to increase faster in numbers than the market shrinks. Plainly put there is no more need or room for another DJ, gown manufacturer, limousine company or any of the products to create traditional weddings. There are even too many catering facilities who’ve been forced to service a broader spectrum of events to keep rooms, kitchens and workers busy.

While investigating the story about the wedding dress business we’ve uncovered a growing number of outside sources infiltrating the business forcing manufacturers to take action. Recent advancements in the fight against pirates who’ve crippled the wedding dress business received no credit from skeptics who say the damage is too deep, too wide-spread and can never return to normal levels.

Across all channels eWedNewz watches and reports the changes taking place at places like David’s Bridal down to the smallest bridal stores who say they’re ready to throw in the towel. Decisions to sell majority equity stakes to investors like the one involving Jim’s Formal Wear become more and more common-place. Store closures servicing the wedding business are expected to increase, as manufacturers and suppliers tell eWedNewz they can no longer manage growing debt because accounts can’t meet their obligations.

Newsstand sale of bridal magazines continues to plummet giving some ammunition to pundits who say digital is killing print. But a closer look by eWedNewz shows grandfather wedding websites like TheKnot.com are also taking a pounding. eWedNewz exposé  stories about scandal, sexual debauchery and reported mismanagement of resources culminated in the death of morph digital/print companies like Get Married. So-far the rebirth of the company failed to come close in recapturing the glory the original launch created before the crash in 2008, now that the wedding business is older and wiser about the fairy-dust that surrounds them.

Planners of all sizes, including celebrity, say they’re looking to exit the business or expand into a broader range of services, no longer able to cut costs or charge enough fees to make it worth their while. Even “Wedding Market Gurus”, A.K.A, snake oil salespeople, are finding it difficult, if not impossible to charge speaking fees they did just a few short years ago. Most avoid our questions and keep pounding their drum of bullshit, acting as though everything is fine, while others see the changes and become alarmist, claiming to have the answer in some seminar or class.

Even hopefuls who thought the addition of Same-sex marriages to the wedding market, backed by the leader of the free world, say the events has so-far been just a small blip on the screen.

Olokunola again gave her view on how some of the troubles could be fixed:

“When the people who govern wedding magazine, trade shows and associations get real maybe– just maybe– it’ll get better. It’ll make it harder for scammers to scam and players to play and when we stick together as a whole. I believe a shift will take place towards an up direction and its there that the industry can begin again,” she said in the WWC forum.

Christine Boulton of Think Like A Bride told the Cooler how some companies are successful in the very tough business climate.

“There has been some serious restructuring in our business over the last four years. Business owners have changed their thinking; they are going after new markets and they have stepped away from an attitude of arrogance. In short, they stopped thinking of themselves as “artist” and begun to see themselves as businesses.”

Endless discussions clearly show the end of the wedding business as it once was. Is it time to stop discussing and look at what the information clearly tells us?

 

In an ongoing poll 32% of respondents so-far say the wedding business is rebounding but slowly.

What do you say?

 

eWedNewz

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2012

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