“And they lived happily ever after…” How the year 2020 affected the wedding industry
Year by year, the wedding industry grew stronger, with more specialized subcontractors entering the market, and new services appearing like mushrooms after the rain. The choice was vast and suited every budget. Working in the wedding industry became trendy and popular. Many event managers left their corporate jobs to support newlyweds during wedding planning. Training rooms during wedding consultant courses were packed to the brim. 
Photo by VascoImages
Seasonality has also changed. Just a few years ago, organizing a wedding reception in the fall or winter was considered madness. Now, thanks to numerous promotions, the winter season has become particularly attractive and eagerly chosen. Special dates like long weekends, Corpus Christi, and even weekdays before holidays have become increasingly popular. All these changes have contributed to the rapid growth and professionalization of the industry. 
Photo by FotoUrsus
Last year has significantly shifted the trend from planning weddings a year or two in advance to quick organization within 3-6 months. This requires extraordinary precision not only from event coordinators but also from all subcontractors. Because even though the planning time has shortened, the number of elements remains the same.Then the coronavirus pandemic hit, shaking the entire industry. The long freeze in wedding organization brought uncertainty for both couples and service providers. Future newlyweds changed their requirements, and some vendors, fearing for their survival, decided to change professions because the wedding market was no longer as attractive as in previous years, especially for those who treated the wedding business as quick and easy money. This is most evident in additional services. Looking for a photo booth, you may encounter unanswered phones or responses like, “Our offer is no longer available; we don’t provide this service anymore.” The stagnation also hit the catering industry hard. Seeing the number of venues closing across Poland, one might think that unemployment in this sector will be enormous. However, many left for good, while passionate individuals who have devoted most of their lives to the wedding industry remain and cannot imagine working elsewhere. Unfortunately, the echo of unanswered questions like “What’s next? When do we start? What are the rules?” and the lack of concrete answers have greatly contributed to discouragement and loss of faith. Entrepreneurs, feeling uncertain, are holding off on new investments and even suspending operations altogether. However, the wedding industry is the domain of creative people who can work under time pressure and deal with numerous variables. Working on events that are the most important days of people’s lives teaches great flexibility, creativity, decision-making under stress, and above all, empathy. Those who remain and fight not only for their businesses but primarily to ensure the comfort of their couples, do not rest on their laurels; on the contrary, they roll up their sleeves and keep pushing forward. The beginning of the year is a time to set goals, make strategic decisions, and create new offers. Last year has significantly shifted the trend from planning weddings a year or two in advance to quick organization within 3-6 months. This requires extraordinary precision not only from event coordinators but also from all subcontractors. Because even though the planning time has shortened, the number of elements remains the same. The number of invited guests has also changed. Naturally, large weddings with 200 or 300 guests will still be organized, but in the coming season, Slow Weddings are gaining popularity. These are smaller weddings, without the traditional format, focusing more on details and enjoying time with guests in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. They are often organized outdoors or in alternative spaces that do not resemble traditional wedding halls. Despite the smaller number of guests, budgets have not been significantly reduced. This is due to the substantial price increase of services compared to previous years. 
Photo by ŚlubneStudio
The year 2020 will be remembered in the wedding industry as particularly stressful, uncertain, and surprising. It undoubtedly influenced more thoughtful decisions by entrepreneurs, the analysis of each investment, and the detailed legal regulation of cooperation with future spouses. Currently, the industry faces a big question mark, as it is still unclear when it will be able to resume operations. However, a few months without events is enough time to prepare for many possible scenarios and joyfully shout, “Long live the bride and groom!” Article by Aleksandra Elcinto