Summary

The global wedding market, valued at around $298 billion, is experiencing several key trends that will impact its growth and dynamics from 2020 onwards. In particular, the market is strongly influenced by the United States, while the Asian zone, which includes countries such as South Korea and China, is developing rapidly. The European market is still developing, with the UK and Norway being notable exceptions where wedding planners are well established. Market fragmentation is evident, with a wide range of operators from different regions. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the wedding market, a potential decline is expected as the number of weddings drops and spending remains cautious. The French market, for example, has seen the number of weddings fall from 278,400 to 221,000, a decline of 21%, with the average wedding budget remaining stable at around 8,142 euros in recent years.

The wedding planning market in France reflects this stagnation. Demographic changes have influenced consumer profiles, with the average age at first marriage having risen considerably. Younger generations, particularly those under 35, are seen as more likely to spend more on weddings, which could represent an opportunity for the wedding planning sector. The DIY trend also poses a challenge for planners, as consumers look to cut costs on various elements.

Entry into the wedding planning sector is characterized by low barriers, with no formal qualifications required. Differentiation and specialization, in terms of services offered and market positioning, are crucial strategies. Franchising is also a route for new entrants, with established companies such as Label' Emotion offering this type of option. In terms of offering, wedding venues vary considerably in France, with private residences, reception halls and chateaux being popular choices. Professional venues often offer additional services, making them more attractive for weddings. The sector is governed by a number of standards, including noise and safety regulations, with which companies must comply

The French wedding market: trends and projections against a backdrop of falling wedding numbers

The French wedding market is experiencing a marked decline in the number of weddings. Also noteworthy is the growing popularity of civil solidarity pacts (PACS), indicating a cultural shift towards less formal unions that often bypass traditional wedding services, which could have a negative impact on the wedding planning industry. Despite the downward trend in weddings, the average wedding budget in France has remained stable over the past five years, hovering around €8,100. This stability suggests that those who decide to get married are not cutting back on their spending, which could be a positive sign for wedding planners.

Wedding planners in France manage a market estimated to be worth between €52 and €96 million, although they represent only a fraction of the overall size of the wedding market - around 1.7 to 3.2%. The profile of French wedding consumers has evolved, with individuals marrying later in life - an average of 38.4 years for men and 35.9 for women. Among same-sex couples, the average age is higher, at 44.2 for men and 38.8 for women. This postponement of marriage is partly explained by the increased importance attached to professional priorities. The demographic group most likely to marry includes those aged 30 to 40, the less qualified, immigrants, couples with children and homeowners. Budgetary considerations play a crucial role, with the under-35s willing to spend more, around 9,800 euros on average. A typical wedding hosted around 65 guests, with an average spend of €125 per person. This implies that wedding planners may want to target their services at younger couples who are more willing to spend. looking ahead, France's GDP per capita is expected to rise to around €36,770 by 2025, suggesting a potential increase in spending capacity that could benefit the wedding planning industry.

As far as demand trends are concerned, research interest data indicates a cyclical pattern with peaks during the summer months, which corresponds to the most propitious time of year for wedding planning. Interestingly, the DIY trend is gaining ground as consumers seek to personalize their events while saving on costs, posing a potential challenge to the traditional services offered by wedding planners.

The wedding planning market in France is highly dynamic.

Key players shaping the diverse landscape of the wedding planning market

As the wedding planning market continues to evolve, several notable companies have established themselves in the sector, catering to a wide range of needs and preferences of couples preparing for their big day. These players range from full-service agencies to specialized boutiques, each offering unique services designed to create memorable experiences.

  • Label' Emotion is a leading international agency chain, known for its extensive network and professional services in several countries. Thanks to its solid reputation and global approach to wedding planning, Label' Emotion offers its customers a seamless experience, ensuring that every detail is meticulously taken care of.
  • Un jour à part is another player offering franchise opportunities. With a lower barrier to entry, requiring a personal contribution of €5,000 and investment costs of €12,000, Un jour à part aims to support budding entrepreneurs wishing to break into the wedding planning scene. The company offers a structured business model and support system, enabling franchisees to benefit from its reputation and established operating procedures.
  • Laura Z Organisation presents an attractive franchise option for those looking to enter the industry with the guidance of an established brand. With similar financial requirements to Un jour à part, Laura Z Organisation prides itself on offering a personalized touch to every wedding, ensuring that customers' visions become reality.
  • Label' Emotion offers a touch of exclusivity and high-end services. With a personal contribution of 8,990 euros and equivalent investment costs, Label' Emotion is positioned in the high-end segment, promising exquisite events that align with the desires of those seeking opulence and grandeur.
  • Elsa Gary's universe requires a substantial personal contribution of €25,000 but lower investment costs of €8,000, indicating that it focuses on tapping into a clientele that values distinction and sophistication. This player targets the luxury niche in the wedding planning market, providing tailor-made services for couples who wish to organize an extraordinary celebration.

Each of these market players contributes to the fragmented and diverse nature of the French wedding planning industry. From affordable entry points to luxury experiences, the market caters for a wide range of preferences and financial capabilities, ensuring that whatever the budget or style, there is a wedding planner capable of fulfilling matrimonial dreams.

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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 13/06/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Market summary

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

The wedding market encompasses all the products and services that revolve around weddings. It includes, among other things, clothing (wedding dresses and suits), the wedding venue, catering, decoration and so on. In particular, it includes the wedding planning markets. Wedding planners are professionals qualified to advise and assist in the organization of weddings.

Worldwide, the wedding planning market is dominated by the United States. Around 80-90% of weddings in the USA use a wedding planner. The contrast with France, where the figure is between 0% and 10%, is particularly marked[Wedding Academy].

Indeed, trends in the global wedding planner market are driven by markets such as the USA, South Korea and China. Generally speaking, Asia is experiencing rapid growth. In Europe, the market is still in its infancy, with the exception of the UK and Norway, where wedding planners have been well established for several years.

In France , the penetration rate of the profession remains relatively low, due to the immaturity of the market and its recent nature. According to estimates, it has only existed in France for one or two decades. The market appears to be stagnating at a time when the number of weddings in France is falling. Between 2004 and 2019, the number of weddings in France fell by 21% [INSEE] . Meanwhile, the average budget per wedding in France has remained stable over the past five years, hovering around €8,100 [MoneyVox].

This has a negative impact on the wedding planner market, which is heavily dependent on the number of weddings.

The wedding planning market in France is highly fragmented, with between 300 and 900 players. Barriers to entry are very low, as there is no diploma or training required to enter the business.

1.2 The global market

The global wedding market

The wedding market includes many aspects such as logistics, clothing, catering, entertainment services, event organization, etc.

Although it is difficult to estimate a global value for all the components of the wedding market, several estimates do exist. For example, HuffPost estimated the total size of the market ...

1.3 In France, the number of marriages is falling

Number of marriages per year France, ****-****, in thousands Source: ****

As the graph above shows, the number of people getting married in France is falling. In ****, ***,*** marriages took place, compared with just ***,*** in ****. This represents a decline of almost **% in ** years. Nevertheless, after a historically low number of marriages during the ...

1.4 The impact of COVID-19 on the wedding planner market

COVID-** has made **** a nightmare year for any business operating in the wedding industry. Between March and May, weddings were completely banned. The French government declared that "as part of the gradual deconfinement, it is once again possible, since June *, ****, to celebrate marriages and register PACS in town halls throughout the ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Profile analysis: the French consumer

average age at first marriage France, ****-****, in age Source: ****

The average age at which French people marry has risen considerably: in ****, it was **.* for men and **.* for women. In ****, the average age will be **.* for men and **.* for women, an increase of * and * years respectively.

For same-sex marriages, the average ...

2.2 The budget - a key parameter for wedding planners

According to Stéphane Seban, organizer of the Salon du Mariage in Paris, the average cost of a wedding has risen from an average of **,*** euros in **** to **,*** euros in ****. [***] According to the PropulseByCA study published in ****, the average cost will be closer to **,*** euros.

In terms of the breakdown of ...

2.3 Demand trends

Demand cyclicality

Search interest for the term "marriage France, ****-****, in Google Trends index Source: ****

The graph above represents the proportion of searches for a given term in a given region over a given period of time, relative to when it was most searched for (***). Thus, a value of ** means that ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Become a wedding planner

The wedding planning market in France is fragmented, with a large number of players spread across the country, and with different services on offer. These are similar for every wedding, but the ability to differentiate is important. Some players are positioned in the luxury segment. Others offer tailor-made solutions, and many ...

3.2 The business of wedding planners

The big picture

In France, the use of wedding planners remains limited; LCI claims that the number of weddings organized by these companies amounted to just *% in ****, while weddingacademy reports that around **% of all weddings in France in **** involved wedding planners. This figure can be compared, for example, to that in ...

3.3 Geographical distribution of wedding planners

Mon-evenement lists *** wedding planners in France.

3.4 ASSOCEM

In section *.*, we mentioned that the sector suffers from a lack of industry certification (***). One solution, however, is to join ASSOCEM, the association of wedding planners, which came into being in ****. This association brings together wedding planners in France and fulfills several objectives:

Promote the profession to the public, administrations and ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Service overview

Wedding planners' services are wide-ranging and depend on what the client requires. The intervention may be limited to a simple consultation, while in other cases the wedding planner is fully in charge and organizes the entire wedding. For example, if a customer has started to organize his wedding, and has resolved ...

4.2 Price analysis

Source: ****

The table above gives an overview of the prices charged by wedding planners in France.

Some wedding planners apply variable pricing. For top-notch wedding planners, these fees amount to around **% of the total cost of the wedding. In other words, between **,*** and **,*** euros inc. VAT are generally charged for wedding ...

4.3 Supply trends

Weddings include many services and products to consider. These include the venue, decoration, clothing (***), and indirect services that are purchased in connection with the wedding, such as the honeymoon.

Below is an overview of wedding venues in France (***). This measure is relevant for wedding planners, as they need to adapt their ...

4.4 New eco-responsible offers

The French, especially the younger generations, are increasingly concerned about their environmental impact. Although the organization of eco-friendly weddings is marginal today, this trend could well become more pronounced in the years to come, when millennials reach marriageable age.

In fact, by ****, **% of French people consider organizing an eco-responsible wedding to ...

5 Regulations

5.1 Regulations

Administrative aspects

The operation of an apartment, reception hall or even a chalet is not subject to any particular professional status. You don't need to set up a company to rent out your property. All you need to do is comply with the applicable standards (***), and declare the rental for tax ...

List of charts

  • Countries that spend the most on weddings
  • Number of weddings per year
  • Number of PACS signed per year
  • Average age at first marriage
  • If you were planning a wedding, what would your budget be?
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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Laura Z Organisation
Label'Emotion LTD
L'Amande & Co
Ceremonize
Cigales et Petits Fours
Cassia Thomas Weddings
Mariage dans l'Air
Organsa Wedding Planner Paris
GIACOMELLI - Wedding Planner France et Italie
Corsica Wedding
Les Demoiselles De Madame - Wedding Planner
Atout Coeur Wedding

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