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Wedding Industry Highs and Lows for 2008 and 2009
by Jonathan Dionisio
14 January 2009
Want to know how the local
wedding industry performed last year and their expectations
this year? Kasal.com gives you some of the insights from some
of the industry’s established suppliers.
A Glimpse of 2008
OA Sweets
(Personalized Wrapper + Chocolate Bar)In general, 2008 was a good
year for the local wedding industry. Bookings were relatively
high for most wedding suppliers. Ms. Edna Del Rosario of Jardin
de Miramar states that they had a good year since pre-nuptial
photo shoot bookings increased by 300% compared to 2007. Ms.
Farah Kharen A. Orosco of OA Sweets disclosed, “[it
was a] very good business [year] since couples recognize that
[it is] best to give edible products such as personalized
chocolates”
On the other hand, Ms. Bing
Pascual of Banquet Specialty Shoppe Inc., said, “contrary
to the usual market and sales trend that we had for the past
several years, in 2008, we had more local wedding inquiries
and bookings than from our market abroad”.
In 2008, some of Philippine’s
premier wedding suppliers were able to penetrate the global
market and gain recognition from respected institutions. Banquet
Specialty Shoppe Inc. had several Asia Pacific events. Ariel
Javelosa Photography, Nice Print Photography and Smart Shot
Studio were able to have bookings in United States and Canada.
Jardin de Miramar was featured on international news agencies
Associated Press and Reuters. Smart Shot Studio, headed by
Mr. Lito Genilo, received numerous recognitions from the Wedding
and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and its local
counterpart, Wedding and Portrait Photographers of the Philippines
(WPPP).
Jardin de MiramarBut for Ms. Marichu dela
Cruz of Holland Tulips, 2008 was a bad year for flower companies.
“Event stylists and florists concentrated more on adding
thematic items, thereby, reducing the use of both local and
imported flowers”, Ms. dela Cruz said.
Onwards to 2009
For 2009, the local wedding
industry, much like others worldwide is feeling the financial
crunch. Compared to last year, Ms. del Rosario does not foresee
a big jump in the 2009 market with couples deferring wedding
plans due to economic downturn. Ms. Pascual reveals that soon
to be wed couples’ budget seem to also drastically decrease.
Ms. Pascual adds that they opt not to be extravagant this
time and just stick to basic wedding necessities. Some couples
will not have much for upgrades and expensive set ups. Mr.
Bill Calubaquib of The Dream Makers sees a slow growth for
the industry. “A lot of brides will mostly consider
cutting down expenses, as observed in the several bookings
we already received for weddings commencing till late part
of 2009”, Mr. Calubaquib adds.
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Despite
this, the local wedding industry remains optimistic
for 2009. For Ms. Tinio, she expects more couples to
venture in destination weddings, since it has been gaining
popularity since last year. Ms. Orosco acknowledges
the help to the local wedding industry given by the
government, through the Department of Tourism (DOT).
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“The DOT [has] helped
in marketing the local wedding industry to other countries
by participating in bridal fairs”, Ms. Orosco shares.
Whatever the economy has
in store for the local wedding industry, this recession proof
industry will remain and couples who are planning their wedding
will be assured that local wedding suppliers will be able
to help them, whether here or abroad, fulfill their dream
wedding. The local industry promises to strive hard in finding
ways to improve and upgrade their products services while
making it more affordable for soon to be wed couples. |
