For the past few years in north Texas about half of all the weddings each year take place somewhere other than the traditional church. Consider this number: of the 55,000 or so marriage licenses issued last year in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties, approximately 28,000 were inside a church. This means that the remaining weddings were in hotels, country clubs, restaurants, wedding chapels and other locations including city parks, horticultural settings (such as the Dallas Arboretum and the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens), and so on. (*see note below)
Another surprising number is this: October has replaced the other popular wedding months as the busiest wedding month of the year. Just ask any minister, DJ, photographer, florist or cake company and they’ll confirm this trend. The “June Wedding” isn’t as popular as it once was, at least here in north Texas. Not sure why that is, but I’m guessing that weather plays a big part.
In a recent story in the Dallas Morning News the writer unknowingly confirmed what I already know. Wedding chapels are being purpose-built for those happy occasions and business is good. More couples each year are choosing venues that can accommodate the ceremony and reception on the same site (or close proximity).
The picture is of a wedding chapel still under construction at the subdivision mentioned in the news story. It’s being built on an island in the lake. Not even completed and evidently couples are already trying to book it.
All of this actually makes good sense, in much the same way that going to a medical specialist makes good sense. You want someone with considerable experience in one area of expertise. The wedding chapels that call me regularly are booked every weekend, sometimes multiple weddings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That kind of experience is worth looking for and paying for. Probably not much you can ask for that they haven’t already handled many times. It also means that couples would be advised to book their venue and vendors well in advance if they want the date of their choice.
To see the Dallas Morning News story go here and if you’re looking for wedding vendors go here
Blessings,
Ken
Update: In a television news interview on Thursday, Nov 6, 2008 the developer of Adriatica (see pic above) announced that he may not be able to finish the project as financing was drying up in our tight economy.
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