WEDDING PREDICTIONS FOR 2008!

• Wedding Predictions for 2008! – There's nothing as scientific as true market research – and this IS nothing as scientific as true market research! A round up of opinion from different commentators on the UK wedding market in 2008 boils down to the following hotch-potch of informed speculation: [expand story >>>]

In 2008, according to the crystal ball, the UK wedding market will be worth more than £3 billion. A quarter of a million couples will wed here this year. The white British are marrying less – but they're also marrying later, so they're spending more. Average spends might be around £20,000 with £70,000 not being too unusual. The young Russians in Britain are said to be spending more this year. You could buy a house in some parts of the country for the cost of a Russian wedding, we're told. On the other hand, African Caribbean couples spend on average a little less, just under £18,000. Some photographers are reporting anecdotally that gay couples also spend a little less on their photography. Asian weddings continue to be lavish affairs, but those with the business aren't parting with any figures. The long-awaited boom in Polish weddings in the UK will not materialize this year – the Poles are staying young and single. As far as photographers' bookings across the board go, although we've heard that early bookings weren't strong, some photographers are fully booked up, though others are still chasing business. [add comment]