Getting married this year? What about next year? Wouldn’t it be cool to discover the latest wedding tips, tricks and trends before your planning gets underway? Know how much couples are spending on flowers, how to find the right vendors, etc.?

Well, you’re in luck! The online wedding resource, Wedding Wire, has just published the wedding trends of 2017. They surveyed more than 13,000 couples who married in 2016 to get the scoop, just for you. Here are some of the results:

1. Technology matters: Couples now spend 50% of their time planning from a smartphone (up from 30% last year). 87% read reviews and ten 60% reach out by email.

2. Uniformity is out: Bridesmaids are more likely to wear non-matching than in previous years, a trend we’ve seen continue to grow.

3. While the average wedding price tag hasn’t grown, millennials spend a bit more: $31,000 on average. However, overall, the average price of a wedding is still about $28,000. Spend on honeymoons ($4,000) and engagement rings ($5,000) is also about the same as last year.

4. 42% of couples pick out the engagement ring together.

5. 56% of couples only consider booking vendors they can find on social media. (Find my page on Instagram at @insanacollins)

6. 71% of couples marry between May and October.

7. 62% of couples take professional engagement photos.

8. 65% send traditional Save-the-Date cards.

9. When searching for vendors, most couples hire an average of 13 vendors from the venue to the florist to catering and the DJ, with photographers 4th on their list.

10. More than 60% of the wedding budget goes towards catering, the venue, music and photography/videography.

It’s great to know what’s trending, but for your big day, what’s most important to you? Most of my clients say photography is most important, because for all of the time and money spent, it’s the one thing that lasts longer than anything else. While you’re planning, discuss and prioritize as a couple. Save. Search. Budget. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. Shoot me an email at insana@insanacollins.com and I can help answer your questions and cross at least one thing off your list!

Good luck! Until next time,

-Insana

Since I’ve started shooting professionally in 2009, I’ve noticed the same seasonal photography trends that most photographers experience: wedding season, engagement sessions, holiday sessions and party/event season.

But I’ve noticed something else too.

During the first 60 days of each new year, clients get serious about their goals and book new business photos. Something about the start of a new year ignites their entrepreneurial spirit and then…BOOM! Photo requests for commercial marketing images come from everywhere. Hair stylists. Realtors. Shoe retailers. Publicists. Musicians. Artists. Clothing retailers. Jewelers. Attorneys. Doctors. Lawn care specialists. CEOs. Online shop owners. People needing product photography or corporate headshots.

Product images from camping gear retailer, HMW Outdoors

Product images from camping gear retailer, HMW Outdoors

Every one of these people understands the importance of clean, professional photos to showcase themselves and their products, and it’s wonderful. Customers will take you seriously because you’ve invested in yourself and your business enough to put your best foot forward.  I’m happy small business owners are taking their marketing to the next level and booking professional photographers like me.

Product images from online accessories retailer, Dear Elli

Corporate headshots for Modern Counsel Magazine

The question is, are you ready to take your business to the next level? If so, shoot me a note at insana@insanacollins.com and let’s get started.

Until next time,

Insana