Winter 2018

The Perfect Wedding Day By Julie McCallum

Everyone wants their wedding day to be perfect — the perfect dress, the perfect suit, the perfect ceremony, the perfect reception. It takes a million details to accomplish what will most likely be the largest fete a person ever hosts. When considering the many details that go into such an event, there’s an abundance of opportunities for gift and stationery retailers to provide assistance to brides and grooms to make their perfect wedding day a reality.

Wedding trends can vary slightly in different areas of the country, but one thing is universal: there’s no shortage of ideas and inspiration available via social media and the internet. Pinterest has changed the way brides plan for their big day. And for wedding planners, floral designers and venues, an Instagram presence is a must. Find the popular ones in your area to see what is trending locally. It makes sense to get as many photos of your wares, whether it’s invitations, décor, bridal party favors or wedding gifts on the internet and your social media to tag, pin and share.

While the figures for 2017 are yet to be seen, the average cost of a wedding in 2016 reached an all-time high at $35,329, according to The Knot 2016 Real Weddings Study. “Wedding spending continues to rise, but at the same time, guest lists are shrinking as couples spend more per guest to create an unforgettable experience for those closest to them,” said Kellie Gould, editor-in-chief of The Knot. “Couples are also using their wedding day to make their first big statement as a couple. From invitations to the reception band, couples are spending more to put their personal stamp on every detail.”

WeddingWire, Inc., a leading online marketplace connecting consumers with event and creative professionals released their own figures, the 2017 Newlywed Report. The findings were based on a comprehensive study of more than 13,000 couples and various additional research conducted throughout 2016. WeddingWire’s 2017 Newlywed Report provides insight into how today’s couples are getting engaged, searching for and selecting vendors, and spending their money planning for the big day.

“The fundamentals of wedding planning have generally stayed the same over the last few years, as has the national cost for wedding ceremonies/receptions at around $28,000, or $240 per guest,” said Andy Whittaker, director of market insights at WeddingWire. “That’s not to say we haven’t seen interesting shifts in the last year. Sending save-the-dates via mail is decreasing, bridesmaids are more likely to wear mix-and-match dresses and fall weddings have grown in popularity.”

On a personal note, I’d like to invite you, our Gift Shop readers, to share in our family’s perfect day that took place this past September. Our daughter, Chloe McCallum, and her groom, Kyle Symon, got married at our family church in Ada, Michigan and then celebrated at our home in Sparta for an evening tent reception that was filled with happy celebrating that lasted well into the night.

We couldn’t have been happier with all of the vendors and event professionals that contributed to make the day exactly what Chloe and Kyle wanted, an elegantly vintage celebration of their love for each other and their family. With a nod to her family’s and the region’s fruit-growing history, apples, cider and doughnuts added a personal touch to a perfect fall day.

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Julie McCallum

Julie McCallum is publisher of Gift Shop Magazine. She is formerly the editor-in-chief of the publication, as well as editor of Museums & More, and she has more than 25 years experience in publishing.