Off-peak weddings: Dare to do things differently...
It
is that time of the year when weddings are few and far between and my
colleagues in the wedding industry are all noting how quiet business is
right now. Conversely, winter is the peak-time for booking enquiries for weddings in the coming summer months. The reality is that even though the year has 365 days – none inferior to any other – most couples prefer to get married on a Saturday between late October and April – narrowing the options down and driving competition up for the less than 40 available Saturdays during this period. Once personal preferences and other factors like clashes with birthdays, the Christmas-period, menstrual cycles and school holidays comes into play, you are most likely left with a maximum of three feasible dates. While all this is going on, about ten thousand other local couples are also planning their special day around those factors and you find yourself encountering stiff competition for your first choice of venue, caterer, stylist, florist, etc. With popular dates often booked years in advance, basic economics tell us that the greater demand for these “Saturdates” results in higher prices. Oh the horror! But hang on. These vendors are twiddling their thumbs on Thursdays and would love to do more than one wedding a week. I know I would. And to us, there is nothing worse than having to turn clients away. In fact, service providers may even offer you a discount simply because your wedding is not on a Saturday. During off-season (winter), you are guaranteed to get more wedding for your buck, as demand is lower and there is an over-supply of options. A winter wedding also opens up new creative possibilities in terms of décor (seasonal flowers, warm candle-light and fireplaces), wardrobe (warmer fabrics, gloves, scarves) and photo-shoots. It is my opinion that most modern couples tie themselves to the tradition of the summer Saturday wedding for outdated reasons. Weddings are steeped in tradition, but a lot has changed since the days when brides were 18 years old and their parents took responsibility for the wedding arrangements. In those days weddings were big, expansive community events, where the guest-list included neighbours, distant relatives and even the bride’s primary school principal. The average ages of the modern bridal couple are now 29 for women and 32 for men. These are adults making their own decisions and are less susceptible to pressures from Mom or the in-laws about the guest-list. With the current cost of living being so high (not to mention the cost of partying!) couples feel less guilty about leaving Aunty Helen and her four daughters off the guest-list. This means that there are fewer schedules to consider and if you invite people long enough before the time, and they are that special to you (and vice-versa), they will make it to your wedding. With most wedding venues offering an all-in-one package for hosting the ceremony, location for photos, pre-function cocktails and your reception, the average wedding is also more streamline now. No more driving from church in Kenilworth to the Company Gardens for pics, before swinging by Nanna’s house for high tea, only then moving on to Kuils River for the reception. In short, you don’t need an entire Saturday to have a memorable wedding anymore. I have been at weddings where everything is done and dusted within four hours. If only for the sake of doing something different, having your wedding on an “off-day” (day other than a Saturday) holds a unique experience for your guests in itself. Fridays also offer great weather in Stellenbosch and the menu at the Mount Nelson is still great on Tuesdays. So now that I’ve blabbed on about why Saturday weddings in summer are overrated in the modern context, my next blog will focus on the value of a approaching your wedding with an actual plan. Till then, keep on smiling! Posted on: 18 August 2013 Lance Kenned aka Mister MCMaster of Ceremonies, Cape Town, South AfricaPlease e-mail me your feedback here |
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