Uptrend

We're well and truly into the 2nd half of 2010 and from the business point of view, the wedding industry is doing great. My observation is two-pronged. The first as a publisher and editor of the weddingsmalaysia portfolio of magazines and portal. The second as co-owner and co-designer at That Special Occasion.

Whichever way I see it, the industry is doing extremely well. Couples going the custom-made route, be it for gowns, suits, invites, cakes, favours and the like, is a good sign. An even better barometer is how couples are spending relatively high sums on pre-wedding photography, whether shooting locally or flying abroad. And when the actual day arrives, they pull out all the stops when it comes to capturing images that they will cherish for a lifetime. It is not uncommon for some of our clients at That Special Occasion to spend up to five figures on photography with our industry colleagues. In fact, most of my industry colleagues in the photography sector are pretty much booked up. Luxury components such as entertainment, decor and wedding planning are also in demand, which again augurs well for the industry as a whole.

The good thing about the current state of the wedding industry is that there are a host of service providers who offer expertise at varying price points, from the affordable to premium, with a common trait of quality. The trick to snag the best deal is research and compatibility with these professionals. It's also pretty easy to figure out who's doing well in the market - the ones who have their calendars booked up way in advance. That's always a good indicator.

Gown by That Special Occasion, photo courtesy of Stories by Integricity Visuals.