As a strategist for the wedding industry, I spend a lot of time thinking about where the industry is headed in upcoming years. I’ve been here since 2004 and have witnessed booms and busts, wins and losses, ins and outs.

In the last year alone, we’ve seen some of the biggest changes: Wedding Wire’s merger with the Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings ending print publications, and Style Me Pretty shuttering down (and then firing back up again.) And, those are only the big players.

Kristin Banta is someone I greatly admire for how she’s shifted her event planning business to accommodate changes in the economy, people’s tastes, and social trends. And, with (what would seem like) prescient knowledge, she’s moved and adapted quickly to this continually changing industry.

I recently asked Kristin to share her thoughts on reinvention and remaining relevant in the wedding industry. She will also be speaking at the 2019 Be Sage Wedding Industry Conference in January.

I asked Kristin what she sees as ONE major shift that will impact the industry as a whole. Here is what she shared with me:

“Interactivity – as a means of connecting – is now at the forefront of wedding design in today’s domestic market. The millennial generation has created a demand for experientially driven events. This is driven by a desire to generate connection, community, and photographable moments. Unfortunately, if they didn’t post it, it might as well never have happened.”

“With events, no longer will stagnant or formulaic events be accepted by companies that are seeking to evaluate an activation’s ROI. They will simply not see their return.”

I whole-heartedly agree with all this. I’ll add that a big way that I see the connection factor impacting our weddings recently is in size and intimacy. While there is no rule on guest counts, I do see smaller and more intimate weddings gaining popularity again. It’s all about getting close and personal with the people you love, and showering them with affection. (And broadcasting it to the world.)

This was also a trend I saw in 2008-2010 when the economy took a dive. I don’t see the economic shift (yet); this is based on a high need for connection and intimacy between couples and guests. But, the big difference today is this paradox of intimacy coupled with the need to share it on the InstaFaceChat platforms. What wild times we are living in!

As a professional wedding and event planner, have you noticed these trends of interactivity and connection at your weddings and events? Are your clients requesting this atmosphere and style?

I can’t wait to learn more from Kristin. I’d love for you to join us at the next Be Sage Conference. You can read a review from a past Be Sage Conference then learn more about the upcoming Be Sage Wedding Industry Conference here!

This is a guest post by Michelle Loretta. Michelle is a business consultant and financial strategist for wedding and event professionals. As the founder of Sage Wedding Pros, she blends her past as an accountant for Deloitte, a sales and marketing manager for DDLA, a merchandiser for Coach, and a stationery entrepreneur to strengthen wedding businesses worldwide. Sage Wedding Pros produces the next-level summit Be Sage Conference. Michelle has been asked to speak at a number of industry conferences, including NACE Experience, Biz Bash Live, and The Special Event.

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