MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Weddings are meant to be a day to remember.
But more couples are making sure that big expenses aren’t part of the memory.
Smaller weddings became more frequent starting with the pandemic — but years later, the trend is continuing.
Being busy isn’t just a choice for Karen Riley-Love, who owns AMI Beach Weddings. It’s a lifestyle.
“That’s beautiful,” she said while looking at flower arrangements and preparing for three weddings.
Over the past year, she said most of the weddings she has booked have been small weddings.
“Part of it is, you know, the economy,” Riley-Love said. “People have less money to spend on weddings.”
The smallest package she provides is called the “Love Story Mini Wedding.”
She says it works for up to 20 guests and costs $2,800.
“That sweet spot — really around 20 to 30 guests — has increased by at least 30%, and my 50-guest weddings have come down probably by about 15%,” Riley-Love said.
Her Anna Maria Island business has taken a hit — not just because of last year’s hurricanes, but also due to the trend of smaller weddings.
She said her profits are down 7% year-to-date, although recently there has been reason for optimism.
“But this October has been my busiest October I’ve ever had. So we’re seeing it come back — I’m definitely seeing the markets are changing.”
According to The Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding last year was more than $31,000 — an increase of 4.2% over 2023.
Other businesses that serve weddings, like Flowers by Edie, have also noticed an increase in smaller requests.
Riley-Love said if this trend of smaller weddings continues, she might need to change her business model.
“I do have concerns that I may have to raise prices on the packaging,” she said.
She cares about turning a couple’s vision for their perfect day into reality.
“It’s more important to me to have high-quality elements — those perfect pieces,” she said.
Because Riley-Love believes every wedding should be special.
Julia Hazel
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