Stats Show the Average Cost of a Wedding in 2012

Are wedding costs declining?

There are many who think so.  However, The Knot’s founders say “No!”  Brides are pressing on with having the wedding of their dreams.  Here are the average costs of what the approximately 17,500 brides in the survey spent on their weddings in 2012.

According to the recent survey provided by the Knot and Wedding Channel.com, brides who hired the services of a wedding/event planner in 2012 paid an average of $1847; an increase over the 2011 average ($1753).   This is great news for the wedding industry.

As professional wedding consultants, how are we reaching and attracting our potential clients?

A few of our members share their secrets below:

Angie Mack of Three Strands Wedding & Events – I believe in being very involved in the local and surrounding communities, from staying an active member in ACPWC, to participating in humanitarian endeavors, to networking with local businesses.  In doing so, I build relationships, establish trust,  and get many referrals.  Just recently I partnered with Sharon Biddinger of Simply Design Studios in her 3rd annual “A Wedding Story Contest” for California residents.  By providing wedding day management services for two deserving couples, I was able to meet and network with several new wedding vendors, and I booked a few weddings this year from referrals.  I keep in touch with former brides and have received referrals from them as well.

Shena Cherian of Design Wedding Consultants – Basically we use three different avenues:

• Networking with other vendors
• Maintaining relationships with previous clients
• Social media

We foster our relationships  with previous clients and their parents.  We also remember them annually during an important religious festival and send small tokens of our appreciation.  We use Facebook, Pinterest and Blogging to develop and keep relationships, too.  By doing this we receive many referrals.

Valerie Gillis of Lavendar Blue Events – We’ve turned completely to online marketing.  We absolutely love the Knot and receive many referrals.  We also receive referrals from our review on Yelp.  We’ve had brides call us because of it.

How about you?  Please share your success!