Summary

The global wedding market has exhibited robust growth, primarily driven by factors such as an increase in LGBTQ weddings, inspiration from high-profile events like the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and a growing preference for luxury weddings, particularly among younger generations. Despite the market's growth, the French sector has seen a downturn, mainly due to a 21% decline in the number of marriages. The US remains the leader in terms of wedding expenditure. In France, there has been a noticeable shift towards do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding elements, attributed to a desire for personalization and cost reduction. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the industry in 2020, with significant postponements and revenue losses.

Wedding market components like wedding wear and planning services present fragmentation and competition, challenging margins and traditional business models. While detailed financial impacts are not provided, the analysis indicates a complex and evolving market landscape influenced by broader economic, social, and health-related dynamics.

Dynamics and Trends in the French Wedding Market

The French wedding market has been going through notable changes over recent years, with overall market size showing a decreasing trend. This is primarily due to a reduction in the number of marriages, which has seen a significant drop since 2004, falling by nearly 20% to roughly between 215,000 and 225,000 by 2019. Correspondingly, the market size for weddings in France is estimated to be between €2 billion and €4 billion as of 2019, indicating a cautious yet sizeable market within the country.

One of the critical trends observed in the French wedding market is the rising popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) arrangements, where elements such as invitations, decorations, and other wedding-related products are often hand-crafted. This shift towards personalization and cost-saving measures indicates a consumer preference for bespoke and budget-friendly options. The DIY movement has even spread to service provisions such as hairstyling, makeup, and photography, with more couples opting for services provided by friends or family members.

The average expenditure on weddings reflects this frugal mindset, with spending witnessing a decline of around 6% year-over-year, resulting in an average expenditure of around €8,000 to €10,000 per wedding. Most notably, the younger demographic, those under 35, are more likely to spend more on their nuptials compared to their older counterparts, with an expected budget closer to €10,000. This indicates a potential for market growth fueled by the younger generation's willingness to invest more heavily in their marriage celebrations. COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the wedding market, with many marriages postponed to the following year and a significant decrease in service requests during the pandemic.

Financial losses for the industry could range from 50% to 95% of annual turnover, suggesting severe repercussions for businesses within this sector. Furthermore, logistics have become more challenging due to social distancing requirements, effectively disrupting the traditional structures of wedding celebrations. When it comes to funding these matrimonial events, most French couples resort to savings, which accounts for roughly 60% of finance sources.

Contributions from parents come second at around 10% to 15%, with participatory financing, external sponsors, and credit funding trailing behind. In conclusion, the French wedding market, while having experienced contraction due to various economic and social factors, still holds considerable potential, particularly given the younger population's propensity to spend on wedding celebrations. However, external factors such as the pandemic.

Key Players Shaping the French Wedding Market Landscape

The French wedding market, despite being in decline, is still a vibrant industry with various players, each contributing their unique services and products to create memorable ceremonies for couples across the country. The players range from traditional wedding dress producers to innovative wedding planners, each segmenting the market to cater to specific needs.

Below we explore a few key companies that play a significant role in the French wedding sector.

Wedding Dress Producers:

  • Pronuptia International : Pronuptia International is one of the historic leaders in the French wedding dress market. Despite the overall decline in the market, Pronuptia has remained a staple brand, offering a wide range of bridal gowns and accessories for decades. Their designs have been synonymous with French elegance and have helped many brides realize their dream wedding look.

  • Pronovias : Pronovias, another prominent player in the wedding dress industry, offers luxury bridal wear. Known for their high-end designs that combine contemporary styles with traditional bridal aesthetics, Pronovias has managed to capture a clientele that values sophistication and couture-quality craftsmanship in their wedding attire.

Wedding Planners:

  • Laura Z : Laura Z represents the boutique segment of wedding planning services in France. With a focus on meticulous organization and personalized event coordination, Laura Z caters to couples looking for a tailored wedding experience. They offer comprehensive planning services that aim to relieve the stresses associated with wedding preparations, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable event for the couple and their guests.

These companies, though varied in their offerings, all contribute to the grand tapestry that is the French wedding market. They have not only defined their specific niches but also have set benchmarks in quality and service within the industry. The sophistication of Pronuptia International, the luxurious flair of Pronovias, and the personalized touch of Laura Z have all become integral to the choice and experiences of French couples looking to tie the knot. Their presence and influence continue to shape the expectations and aspirations of weddings in France.

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  • Number of pages : 30 pages
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  • Last update : 02/12/2021
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Summary and extracts

1 Market summary

1.1. Presentation and market definition

The wedding market includes all products and services revolving around marriage. This includes, among other things, clothing (wedding dress and costumes), venue, catering, decoration, etc. 

The size of the global wedding market is increasing in line with stronger disposable income, and the strong cultural and social ties linked to marriage. The US leads the global market in terms of expenditure. 

The size of the French wedding market is decreasing due to several factors: first, marriages overall are declining. Since 2004, the number of marriages in France has decreased by 21%, which puts pressure on companies operating in this industry. Secondly, consumers in France, unlike in the United States, are less willing to spend vast amounts on weddings. 

A trend which is emerging in France, and which is related to expenditure, is the rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) arrangements in weddings, where products related to the wedding (invitations, decoration etc.) are "home-made". Again, this means that market players in this industry forego potential sales in an industry which is already highly fragmented with pressure on margins.

Finally, COVID-19 will have a detrimental effect on the wedding market in France, a harm which will most likely persist going into 2021 as well.

List of charts

  • Evolution du chiffre d'affaires du marché gloabl du mariage
  • Age moyen au premier mariage
  • Intérêt de recherche pour le terme "mariage"
  • Répartition mensuelle des mariages
  • If you were planning such a wedding, on which of the following expenditure items would you be tempted to make savings?
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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. :

Pronuptia International
Pronovias
Laura Z Organisation
Ceremonize
Les Demoiselles De Madame - Wedding Planner
The Dessy Group
Sumptuous Events
Rosa Clará
Ooh la la! France Wedding Planner
Oksana Mukha
MS Private Events
Monsieur Gaspard

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