More couples opt for quick, less costly nuptials, giving rise to growing niche for Wedding Officiants.
Author: GAIL APPLESON Of the Post-Dispatch Edition:
Five Star Lift Section:
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A1 Index Terms:
MARRIAGE;OFFICIAL;WEDDING INDUSTRY;FAD;CLERGY
When pilot Larry Brown and his flight attendant wife decided to take early retirement a few years ago, they wanted to start a business they could run from their St. Charles home that wouldn't tie them down. So they started a wedding business. Not the planning, invitations, catering or flowers kind. But the marrying kind. "We were looking for an upbeat, positive situation," he said. Both got ordained. They also brought in a 25-year-old ordained associate. "If I have a couple that wants someone younger, that's an option," Brown said. They started marrying couples about a year ago and average about four or five weddingceremonies a month. Brown said he's flexible on fees, but they run about $250 per ceremony plus $150 for a rehearsal. The Browns are part of a growing niche of husband-wife teams, individuals and groups that sell their services as 24/7, nondenominational Wedding Officiants. While there are no statistics tracking the growth of these businesses, wedding industry experts say they have witnessed significant increases in the number of Wedding Officiants promoting their services over the Internet, in newspapers and other publications. "We have seen the number of Wedding Officiants almost quadruple since 2002," said Alan Berg, vice president of sales for the Knot regional wedding Web sites and magazines. "We had 63 in 2002 and now we have almost 250." The Knot is a leading wedding media and services company. Its Web site, www.theknot.com, is one of the most trafficked wedding destinations on line. The wedding ceremony section of the Greater St. Louis Yellow Pages hosts ads for such businesses as All-Couples Married, Always Open Wedding and Marriage Service, Anyplace Wedding Services, Anywhere Wedding Ceremonies and Can-A-Lope Wedding Officiants.
