Sector spotlight: weddings

Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage – and this happy coupling has, for many years, been a good money spinner for wedding businesses.

But with the age of austerity taking its toll on both private and public life, some people are choosing to rein in the decadence associated with marital celebrations. Tightening your belt now means more than just going on a diet in preparation for the big day.

Recent casualties in Bristol include Ashton Court Mansion, with the council deciding to close down the catering and events side of the business, saying it was running at annual loss of £150,000.

Ashton Court Mansion

But as one door slams shut, new venues continue to spring up across the city, many with savvy business plans to target certain markets.

Whether it be the quirky, informal Radnor Rooms in the heart of the Old City, Bristol Old Vic’s newly transformed rooms, the earthy wholesomeness of a humanist ceremony in the serene beauty of Arnos Vale Cemetery, or the novelty of Bristol Zoo Gardens.

There is also an increasing number tapping into the ethical consciousness, as sustainability is recognised as a key issue for many couples.

Plus, weddings are on the up.

Mayor Marvin Rees with Marty Spellacey and Gary Hopkins – the first male same-sex wedding at City Hall

According to Bristol City Council reports, 1,589 marriages took place in the city in 2016/17 – 68 of which were same-sex (4 per cent), along with 18 civil partnerships and 17 couples who converted their civil partnership to a marriage.

This compares to 1,479 weddings in 2015/16, 4 per cent of which were same-sex marriages, and 1,311 in 2011/12, 69 of which were civil partnerships.

National figures also paint a positive picture for those involved in the wedding industry, with new research released in 2017 announcing average spending had reached an all-time high of £27,000.

Plenty of savvy entrepreneurs are thriving in this market and Bristol-based, award-winning venue stylist Kirsten Butler, of The Little Wedding Helper, runs regular ‘Tweet-Ups’ that work as a networking and support system for related businesses.

Bristol Marriott Royal

Rebecca Bozeat-Manzi, hotel sales leader for Bristol Marriott Royal says that people expect a unique, personal experience for their money.

“We find most bridal couples want their wedding to be unique,” she says. “To reflect their personality, leaving a lasting impression on their friends and family, as well as creating memories.

“Many couples now rely less on financial help from parents and so value for money is important, however are often prepared to pay for their chosen venue.

“The catering is the biggest cost to most couple’s bridal celebrations and, as a result, couples have become discerning in their requirements for high quality, creative menus or the ability to tailor make their own.

“Venues are having to ensure they are on top of their game to stand out from the crowd.”

Leigh Court

Leigh Court, located just on the city’s outskirts, is standing proof that the ‘wow’ factor of a more traditional, country house venue has certainly not had its day. In fact, the venue has reported an increase in enquiries since Ashton Court stopped taking bookings.

It can’t hurt that it is also one of the locations that the BBC’s Poldark is filmed either.

Leigh Court wedding coordinator Lauren Harrington says flexibility is part of the key to success.

“We cater for weddings with a wide variety of budgets, so while we couldn’t say whether people are spending more or less on weddings overall, we do see trends in the how couples choose to spend their budget,” she says.

With a history dating back 250 years, Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously-running theatre in the UK and, as part of its multi-million transformation, will be throwing open its doors this autumn as a unique wedding venue.

Bristol Old Vic will make a unique venue for theatre lovers.  Photographer Jack Offord

Theatre-lovers will be given the opportunity to celebrate their nuptials in the hallowed halls that have played host to some of the country’s most famous actors, from Daniel Day Lewis, to Patrick Stewart and Judi Dench.

It is a sign that diversifying into the wedding market is still seen as a potentially lucrative prospect, and the theatre is also tapping into the city’s thriving foodie scene and partnering with the family-owned Fosters, one of the South West’s leading caterers.

Another venue that has less prominence, but as interesting a history is the Radnor Rooms – newly opened in January 2018.

Formerly known as the Radnor Hotel, the Grade II-listed building was famed for its accepting and thriving gay scene as far back as the 1920s, when homosexuality was illegal, and has recently been restored by the Wolff family – the team behind Mr Wolf’s and No.51 in Stokes Croft.

Events coordinator Sonia Evans says the venue is proving an attractive option for couples who are after something a bit different and quirky in the heart of the city.

St George’s Bristol is another big-hitter back on the romantic scene, after a break in 2017, with a multi-million garden pavilion extension available for celebrations from spring 2018.

Just off Park Street and with a renowned reputation as a concert hall, the venue offers a winning combination of serene location, with modern event space and a meaningful connection for music lovers.

While many of the city’s venues are playing to their strengths, there are others basing their business models on growing trends towards sustainability and eco-friendly events.

Folly Farm

Folly Farm is “a sustainable, ethically-focused venue set within a 250-acre nature reserve with an abundance of eco-features” – all just a stone’s throw away from Bristol.

From buildings heated by a biomass boiler, to solar panels, naturally treated water and a rain harvesting system, this is one for people less concerned with bold statements and bling and more with minimising their environmental impact.

And it seems the venue, owned by Avon Wildlife Trust, is onto a winner, with weddings continuing to grow year on year – now accounting for approximately 60 per cent of the business.

Folly Farm’s wedding coordinator, Stella Page says: “In recent years, we have seen a huge uplift in the number of people searching for eco-focussed, sustainable wedding venues, but it doesn’t just stop at the venue – every part of the wedding is considered, from the dress, to the decorations and the food miles.”

Another unique factor about Folly Farm is that, because the venue is owned and managed by Avon Wildlife Trust, all profits are gift aided to the charity.

Most couples want to capture their big day in an informal style. Photo by Barbara Evripidou

For photographer Barbara Evripidou, weddings are not the main part of her business, but can still be a lucrative earner, with couples paying between £600 and £1,000 on packages.

“In my experience, people like to have mainly informal photographs for their wedding,” she says.

“The essence of weddings is the same – get married, have people present, have some food, but there have been some major changes in the last few years.

“The most noticeable have been location. Since you can now be married pretty much anywhere, although people still like to choose a traditional venue, I’ve also photographed a wedding in a forest, one by the side of the Roman Baths and even a stone circle.”

There are a number of well-established wedding dress shops in Bristol. Photo by Barbara Evripidou

The longevity of some of Bristol’s bridal dress boutiques is a sign that the perfect gown remains a prominent part of many wedding budgets, with high end names, such as Clifton Brides coming up to its 30th year of trade.

The nearby Mews Bridal, which launched its first store in Clifton Village, has grown its business model by combining a love of Parisian fashion with wedding gowns, bringing “a breath of fresh air to the wedding industry”.

And it seems to be paying off, as the mother and daughter team have now opened boutiques in London’s Notting Hill and New York.

Gill Cockwell made the decision to close her couture business

But genuine couture can come at a high price for a reason and Gill Cockwell, formerly of Gilly Woo Couture in Stokes Croft, announced the decision to shut up shop in September 2017.

She cited the impossibility of creating a sustainable business, while creating dresses accessible to those on average incomes as part of the reason for her decision.

While for some, it doesn’t work out, for others, business and romance make for a perfect match.

Rachel Husband of the Rose Shed. Photo by Evoke Photography

Rachel Husband has run her Paintworks-based florist Rose Shed for six years and says that weddings make up around 90 per cent of her business – which is growing year on year.

“I love my job,” she says, adding that she can cater for all tastes in terms of flowers – with some couples wanting the ‘works’ while others opt for just bouquets, with an average spend being between about £600 – £2,000.

With royal wedding fever set to take hold yet again this year, the sector in Bristol is looking fairly rosy.

Entertainment is factored into most wedding budgets. Photo by Barbara Evripidou

Main image featuring flowers by Rachel Husband. Photo by Green Antlers Photography

Read more: Sector spotlight on health and fitness