Article #2

Summertime is known to be the most desirable yet expensive months to get married, but during this economic recession brides may be able to score quite the deal as wedding venues scrape for business.

            “During this economic recession people have been tightening up their purse strings,” Elizabeth Averill, catering sales manager at the Davenport Hotel, said. Although weddings are still being booked, many wedding venues and catering businesses have needed to change their rates and offer incentives.

            The Davenport Hotel, located in Spokane, Wash., has booked nearly the same amount of weddings during the economic recession as it has in past years, Averill said. Reservations have remained steady due to accommodating, cheaper fares though.

            The going rate for the Davenport Hotel ballroom is $4,500, but a large number such as this began to scare off customers as the economy worsened, Averill said. In order to attract more business, the Davenport Hotel has changed their starting set-up fee to $1,500 and the choice of food and beverage costs to be determined independently.

Even if money-related issues do not personally pertain to a bride and her family, people in general have been feeling more guilty and reluctant to spend a large figure, Averill said. Along with reduced fares the Davenport Hotel has also added incentives such as a free hotel room for one night, a bottle of champagne, and free parking for the new bride and groom.

Special advertising techniques have also been highly important during the recession, Averill said. The Davenport Hotel is known for luxury but has the ability to seem overly expensive to certain customers with financial struggles.

“We are trying to take the expensive stigma out of the public eye while remaining a luxury hotel,” Averill said.

Price cuts are affecting wedding venues statewide. The Lake Union Crew, a Seattle wedding venue, has also been impacted by the poor economy. Summertime weddings are the most popular and desirable, yet the Lake Union Crew summer fares are now the same price as any other season, Laina Sobczak, Lake Union Crew employee, said.

The Lake Union Crew has needed to lower their rates in order for reservations to remain steady, Sobczak said. Almost every summer weekend has been reserved for weddings, but presumably because of new reasonable rates.

“Finding a way to do things yourself is key right now,” Brittany Miller, a local Washington bride, said. Brittany Miller and her fiancé are getting married at the Leifer Manor in Marysville, Wash. The tables and chair coverings for the reception were both free as an incentive to book with this venue, Miller said.

Many venues and bridal stores are also offering coupons with excellent savings in hopes to attract more business, Miller said. It is a good time to find a great deal.