Stay in the know. Subscribe to Currents
CurrentTrends

Here Come Many Brides: Consumers Say, “I Do!” to Non-traditional Wedding Gowns

1 Mins read

After surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans apparently heard wedding bells. As reported in her Substack After School blog Casey Lewis notes the “bridal market swiftly rebounded post-pandemic, and 2022 was a record year for weddings in the U.S., with an estimated 2.6 million couples getting married.”

But that doesn’t mean the industry isn’t changing. Lewis points to the Vogue Business newsletter, which says, “A new wave of emerging fashion brands and bridalwear startups have seized the opportunity for non-traditional, modern bridalwear.” (Could that be a factor in David’s Bridal’s recent bankruptcy filing?)

Expanding the opportunity, Vogue Business says weddings have evolved as well, as “today’s brides shop for an entire wardrobe, from multiple wedding day looks to bachelorette party wear, to night-before and next day brunch outfits.” And it adds, “Fashion brands are rushing to seize the opportunity.”

This retreat from buying traditional wedding gowns is not exactly a new phenomenon. Back in 2019, Vogue Business reported that while the $2.4 billion bridal store market was shrinking, direct-to-consumer brands were snapping up market share by “wooing brides with inclusive sizing and customizable dresses that cost a fraction of off-the-rack designer gowns.”

If you’re considering getting into the bridal business, note that according to Axios, one of the complaints about David’s Bridal was that it is “somewhat impersonal.” So do what entrepreneurs do best—connect with your customers and offer them a personalized, more intimate experience.

Wedding stock image by Gartmanart/Shutterstock

Related posts
CurrentManage

4 Tips for Businesses Expanding Into Fleet Operations

4 Mins read
Adding a fleet is a weighty yet exciting decision for many business owners. Expanding your operations empowers you to provide your customer…
CurrentLead

Workplace Mental Health: Prioritizing Employee Well-Being

4 Mins read
Employees spend most of their waking hours at work, so workplaces play a critical role in their well-being. Employers also reap substantial…
CurrentMoney

9 Success Stories of Peer-to-Peer Lending in Business

5 Mins read
Discover the transformative power of peer-to-peer lending in business through a compilation of real-world success stories. This article presents expert insights and…