A Bridal Fair: Who Should and Why E-mail

There are 2.3 million couples that get married every year in the United States.  That breaks down to 6200 weddings per day.  The average age of the bride is 25 and the groom is 27.  One in three couples getting married each year has been married before.  That is the target market

Nationwide, $72 billion is spent on weddings.  The average budget is $20,000.  We are not going to go into the details of what the budget is spent on, other than to say that for this one day event, more is spent that on any other single event in a couples lives together.  That is just for the one day.

This doesn't mean much to the local market though.  Here in east Idaho there are nearly 2500 weddings per year from Pocatello to Rexburg.  The average wedding budget ranges from $2,000 on the low end up to $15,000+ at the high end.  The mean is $5,600, not including the engagement ring and honeymoon.  That makes the local bridal industry a $14 million industry.

A bridal fair should cater to the needs of that one day.  This is obvious.  What is not as obvious, but just as important, is what is spent on setting up the house hold that these new couples are creating and, how businesses that provide these services can take advantage of a bridal fair.  Everything from the new residence to the wardrobe that couples will wear.  Things like toiletries and kitchen items generally are taken care under the wedding gifts, but what about insurance and bank accounts.  With the average age of couples being over 25 now, what about investments, and real estate.  A new house may be in the picture, even time share properties.  Second and third marriages are always “older” couples who have more of their own money to spend, and usually do because this time they are going to get it the way they want to.  Below you will find a list of businesses that we feel should be in the picture when it comes to a bridal fair, not because they will be used on the day of the wedding, but because they will be there to establish the life of the couple as they go on in life together.

Insurance

Up to this point, the younger couples getting married have been on dad’s insurance and now they need to get on their own.  Even if they each have their own policy, how are they going to combine them now that they are getting married?  They have never had homeowners or renters insurance, and now that the groom is taking on the responsibilities of being married, why not add a little life insurance to the picture.  There is, or course, always the need for health insurance.  Some will have it at work, but at this point in their life, a large number of them are not at the point of having a job with benefits.

Banks/Credit Unions

To us, as producers, this seems to be an obvious one.  What better way to start out life as a couple, than to have a bank account that friends and family can drop a little cash into that will help the couple in what ever their needs are?  Product lines could be anything from a savings account that can have money deposited into, to a short term CD that would start the couple out on a good financial foundation.

Real Estate/Property Management

One of the first things that a couple will consider is where they are going to live.  Are they going to buy or rent?

Doctors

Women’s health is a major part of the health services industry.  Marriage usually leads to a heightened awareness of the needs of the brides.  What better place to help educate brides than at a bridal fair.

Dentists

One service . . . teeth whitening.  Every bride wants to look her best.  That is how you get them in the door for oral health check ups, maintenance and repairs.

Counselor

Every couple needs to have at least one session of marriage counseling.  This is where a strong foundation can be set by discussing the realities of life, and not just the happily ever after thoughts that go through the brides mind and can be seen in their eyes.

Travel Agencies

Though not a part of “the day”, the honeymoon is the next big event in the new couple’s life.  Grooms will be at bridal fairs, and can sit down with you to get ideas for the honeymoon.  This is also another good place for a cash gift registry.

Car Dealers

Think of it this way . . . new couple, new life, new car . . . even if it’s just a new used car.  How often have the bride and groom gotten married, and been driving dad’s car up to that point?  How many have been driving their first car, and now that they are getting married, are ready to get something that is more secure?

Furniture Stores

Don’t want to keep on repeating our self, but they are starting a new house hold, and it will need at least a new bed.

Rent-to-own

Younger couples sometimes don’t have credit or don’t have cash saved for the needs of their house hold.  Give them a good option to get the things they need and want to set up their house hold at a price they can afford.

Tanning Salon/Fitness Centers

This is not a part of the big day, but surely an important preparation for the wedding day.

Photo Books/Photo Storage

This is the new from of scrap booking. What better place to have all of the pictures that will be generated at the wedding.

Statistics show that the retail relationships started during the wedding continue on through college, children and retirement.  What better way to start those relationships than to be there when they start out their lives together.  And, there is no better way to see and be seen by as many of these brides and grooms than at a bridal fair.