As you know, it all begins with the diamond, in my case the brilliant, sparkling Leo Diamond. After that, the wedding preparations begin, and Right and I are well into that process now with our own wedding only six months away. I thought I’d thought of everything down to the party favors on the table, and then I read this from the Wall Street Journal:
To Thee iWed: Sizing Impact of Blogs,
Webcasts, Music Players on Nuptials
November 7, 2006
It is getting easier for brides to come up with the obligatory "something new" to round out their wardrobe on their wedding day. With iPods, Webcasts and wedding-themed blogs, nuptials are going high tech. How is the huge U.S. wedding industry greeting these changes? Usually with enthusiasm, though some ambivalence gets mixed in, too, judging by a chat with Diane Forden, editor in chief of Bridal Guide magazine.
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So how is technology changing weddings?
I think technology has shaken up the traditional wedding. For example, a lot of couples today create their own wedding Web sites, so their guests can keep informed about the wedding plans. And many couples use the Internet for bridal registries. The beauty of doing so is that guests don't even have to leave their home to get gifts for the couple. We're also finding that the wedding Webcast is becoming quite popular. Couples will broadcast the ceremony on the Web to people who aren't able to be there. It is making weddings a global affair.
Is there a problem with that?
A wedding Webcast can be tricky. I don't think it should replace having your guests with you. I wouldn't recommend that couples say, "Let's just go off and get married and broadcast the wedding, because we don't want to have this huge, expensive wedding."
What about digital music?
A trend now is for couples to create their own playlists on their iPod, and use it for the music and dancing at the reception. I think this would work if it's a smaller, intimate wedding. But I think if you have a large crowd and you really want to have some fun, there is nothing better than having a live band or a DJ. It's much more interactive than you could get from an iPod.
But don't wedding bands and DJs play the same things at every wedding anyway?
There's probably a standard list of songs that are crowd pleasers. But you can work with your band leader or DJ and say, "Look, I really don't want you to play "The Macarena.' "
The wedding industry is often accused of trying to keep people spending lots of money on weddings. Some of the examples you have cited, such as using an iPod, are ways that people can keep costs down.
I think they are OK if you have a very limited budget and you want to have music at your wedding but it's not that important to you to have a DJ or a band. If it's going to be cost effective, then by all means do it. But think of what's important to you, and the kind of atmosphere you want. I certainly don't think couples should go into debt, or take out loans, to pay for a wedding.
With cameras and the like, people routinely go online to price shop. Is that happening with things for weddings too, such as gowns?
Sure. People are using the Web for just about every detail of a wedding. Brides are definitely doing comparison shopping.
Has that changed the economics of the business?
It's changing things. For band leaders and DJs, I am sure they aren't happy with couples starting to use iPods. And I think there is more competition among vendors. The savvy bride knows she can shop for better deals. She will still spend her dollars, but she will spend them more wisely. At the same time, don't forget there are about 2.4 million marriages a year. There are still going to be a lot of couples that will use a DJ or buy that Vera Wang dress.
Personally, I’m saving my iPod for the rehearsal dinner music. As for webcasting the wedding… I think I’ll just send out a few more invitations!
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