Disruption of an 
   Important Life Event
    According to The Wedding Report’s March and June 2020 
     surveys of couples planning weddings, 21% are or have 
     postponed their weddings until late 2020, 41.5% have 
     rescheduled their weddings to 2021 and 7% have 
     cancelled their weddings.
    All this disruption and major changes resulted in The 
     Wedding Report forecasting a 47.9% decrease of the total 
     number of 2020 weddings, or 1.11 million, compared to 
     2.13 million during 2019; however, the projected total for 
     2021 is 2.77 million weddings.
    Although The Wedding Report surveys found 30.5% of 
     couples were trying to maintain their 2020 wedding date, 
     the persistence of the pandemic may be a challenge, 
     especially as some media reports of even small weddings 
     have led to the spread of COVID-19 and infections.
   Adjusting and Adapting
    Because 46% of couples responding to the two The 
    Wedding Report surveys said they planned to reduce their 
    wedding budgets by an average of 31%, wedding vendors 
    will suffer – and 58% told The Wedding Report they 
    expected to lose more 2020 weddings.
    Even the 30.5% of couples trying to maintain their 2020 
    wedding date may find it necessary to opt for a mini-
    wedding (limit of 50 guests, which is still problematic), a 
    micro-wedding (20 or fewer guests) or a “minimony” (an 
    elopement, limited guests, ceremony only). 
    Many couples have had to reschedule their 2020 
    weddings to another 2020 date, but many of the traditional 
    days (Saturday) will be booked. Another option many 
    couples are choosing is a weekday wedding, especially 
    during the evening, so guest will be able to attend. 
   Pivoting to a Digital/Virtual Event
    Although most wedding couples are young and, therefore, 
     very digitally savvy, it’s difficult to move the entire process 
     online. For example, anecdotal reports from bridal dress 
     shops indicate brides are hesitant to buy a dress online, but 
     they can certainly shop.
    David’s Bridal reported during mid-summer 2020 a 25% YOY 
     increase in Website traffic and the rapid addition of various 
     online resources, such as a vision board, an interactive 
     wedding checklist and a customizable Website. 
    With traveling and staying at hotels/resorts problematic, many 
     couples have and will have to schedule a virtual engagement 
     party and/or an outdoor bridal shower and wedding 
     ceremony/reception.
   Wedding Businesses 
   Refocus on Service
    Wedding vendors/services reported in the May 2020 
    WeddingPro survey 15% of their weddings had been 
    cancelled, 59% had been rescheduled and 25% were 
    unchanged.
    These vendors/services are proving they understand 
    the challenges couples are facing, which is why the 
    survey also found 68% of the businesses were holding 
    paid deposits until the date of rescheduled weddings, 
    although 10% required an additional fee or deposit.
    Unsurprisingly, vendors/services are maintaining 
    contact with prospects, and 85% said they had during 
    the past month (April 2020). Wedding planners were 
    first (46%) among the vendor categories to have had a 
    video chat with a prospect, with officiants second at 
    36%.
   Limiting 
   Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
    Much like a wedding ceremony/reception, 
     bachelor/bachelorette parties must also adjust; however, 
     73% of couples with weddings scheduled during May–
     September 2020 and responding to a WeddingWire 
     survey said they still expect some kind of prenuptial 
     parties.
    Of the survey participants, 27% were canceling their 
     bachelor/bachelorette parties, 24% were maintaining the 
     schedule and 2% planning a virtual event. To ensure 
     guests’ safety, 44% were adjusting party activities, 33% 
     the number of guests and 32% location.
    Most couples weren’t changing all of their 2020 
     bachelor/bachelorette party plans compared to 2019, as 
     93% still planned to celebrate in the US (92% 2019), a 1–
     3 day party (86%, same as 2019) and airplane travel (26% 
     vs. 20% 2019).