33. The state of the wedding industry in 2025

Successful Creatives

The industry has experienced "seismic shifts since 2023" according to Tim Chi, CEO of The Knot. Those who are successful are the ones who understand AND evolve with the market.
There’s a growing gap between creatives who are booking well and those who are struggling. 🥵

Why is this happening? Well, there are a few culprits at hand, namely:

• the economy - record inflation, election uncertainty…you know, you’re living it, too
  
• the “dating gap” - this one was so interesting to me! Couples typically get married 3.5 years after they’ve started dating. Think about life 3.5 years ago - we were in the middle of a global pandemic, social gatherings weren’t happening, bars were closed, dating was DOWN. So it makes sense there’d be a wedding gap 3.5 years later!
  
• the sheer amount of information and options available

But there’s a silver lining: budget predictions are actually up, for a total of $70 BILLION in revenue forecasted for the wedding industry in 2025. Experts are predicting 2.1 million weddings in the US alone.

So how can you capitalize on this?

My top 3 strategies to help you thrive in 2025:

1. Niche Down

Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, niche down within your specific industry.

CLARIFICATION: I don’t advocate niching into one TYPE of job if that’s not aligned with your goal…we photograph weddings, newborns and families because I love them all and the diversity helps with market fluctuations buuuut you can niche down within each job type.

For example, if you love vibrant, intimate celebrations in the mountains of Utah, make that your calling card. You’re not just a wedding photographer - now you have a “specialty.”

When you niche down, you get known for something. You’re an expert, and you’ll stand out in a crowded market.

2. Be specific in your messaging

Specific messaging is like a magnet to right-fit clients. Vague messaging gets overlooked…and most of the industry is stuck in vague messaging.

The most valuable way to be specific is to use your ideal client's actual words in your messaging.

For instance, if your ideal couple is family-oriented, reflect that in your messaging: "Our couples are so excited to celebrate with friends and family." This clarity will draw your right-fit clients in.

3. Take a “human-first” approach

The slow decisions they’re making have nothing to do with your worth; it’s a reflection of an oversaturated market.

They’re stressed, so be the one who makes it easy:

• Think about “WIIFM” - what’s in it for me (for them!).
• Break your info down into bite-sized, digestible pieces of information.
• Create a simple process that guides them from inquiry to consultation, and consultation to booking.
• IMPORTANT: focus only on what they need to know to take the next step.

Act as a guide and you’ll build trust while positioning yourself as the expert who can help them achieve their dream wedding.

Bottom line: with the predicted 2.1 million weddings for next year, there’s plenty of opportunity out there. Embrace the evolution and make 2025 your best year yet

Successful Creatives make the world brighter. Follow @theewingsstudio on instagram for weekly tips and tricks to uplevel your bookings and increase profits so that you can accomplish all of the goals on your heart.