Wedding Blogs
Couples putting off getting married until in their 30’s
Recently released statistics on the marriage trends in Northern Ireland confirm that the average age that couples choose to get married at is now over 30!
This average age has increased by 5 years in the last two decades and the trend is set to continue. Men are now putting off getting married much later than woman, with an average age for the groom now at 33, where the average age for the bride is now 31.
This trend is set to continue apace as economic circumstances force more couples to live longer at home with their parents before making a commitment.
The number of weddings is projected to decrease over the next few years, due mainly to couples delaying their wedding plans until some stability returns to the employment and financial markets.
Last year there were 8,500 weddings in Northern Ireland, a small decrease on the 2007 figure. Ann Douglas from wedding planners 'Add alittle SPARKLE.com' has however seen no decrease in chair cover and fairy lighting bookings for 2010. “Couples tend to book their wedding dates well in advance, sometimes 2 years in advance, so the current financial squeeze is not likely to impact on the actual numbers of weddings until the earliest 2011”.
“Couples in Northern Ireland who have committed to getting married now however,prefer to have smaller weddings by reducing the numbers of those being invited rather than give up on the wedding day venue dressing essentials, such as 'flowers, cars and Chair covers' (and fairy light backdrops!) etc!”
A direct result of the Credit Crunch and the weakness of Sterling has been an increase in the number of hotel wedding receptions being booked with Northern Ireland hotels from couples over the border! Where hotels in the south are reporting wedding business down by 20% and cancellations on the increase...their counterparts are seeing a 20% increase in wedding reception booking enquires, and as the pound weakens even further this trend is set to grow!
Posted by ann@addalittlesparkle.com
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