#Bridal Industry #Wedding Trends #Weve Corporation

Weve's 2025 Bridal Industry Survey: Insights into Changing Trends

The bridal industry has seen significant changes as highlighted in the recent report titled "Bridal Industry Current Situation Survey 2025," conducted by Weve Corporation, headquartered in Osaka. This survey follows the inaugural round conducted in 2024, gathering valuable insights from 631 bridal-related businesses across Japan. The report details trends in customer attraction, transaction pricing, talent acquisition, the utilization of digital transformation (DX) and artificial intelligence (AI), and the evolving values of couples, with a total of 20 specific survey topics.

Key Findings

1. Rise of Intimate and Photo Weddings

A striking aspect of the results is the growing trend towards smaller weddings, with over 55% of respondents from the venues indicating an increase in the number of couples opting for these ceremonies. This trend, previously seen during the pandemic, has now transcended mere practicality, evolving into a new standard deeply rooted in the values and lifestyles of couples. Approximately 60% of businesses acknowledged this shift as an established change since the previous survey.

2. Gap in Customer Perception and Pricing

Further insights reveal a stark contrast in perceptions regarding pricing among venue operators and partner firms. While venue representatives primarily reported an increase in revenue per couple, only 10% of partner businesses shared this sentiment. This divergence raises concerns about the ongoing polarization affecting the industry post-pandemic, where management and staff experience differing evaluations of revenue recovery, highlighting possible systemic issues within organizations.

3. Discrepancy in Social Media Effectiveness

In terms of marketing strategies, 77% of businesses labeled social media as the most effective customer engagement tool. However, only 44% claimed to actively and effectively utilize these platforms for attracting customers. This suggests that while social media holds immense potential, many businesses, particularly in visually-driven realms like Instagram and TikTok, are yet to fully capitalize on its capabilities to effectively communicate their brand ethos and wedding imagery.

4. Persistent Workforce Shortage

A glaring challenge repeatedly highlighted across surveys is the shortage of skilled labor. With both customer acquisition and talent scarcity identified as the two primary issues within the industry, the urgency for innovative solutions remains high. The findings stresses not only the demand for staffing but also the necessity for improved operational efficiencies and staff retention strategies, highlighting vulnerabilities in training and high turnover rates.

5. Urgency for Redefining Weddings

The survey emphasizes the need for the industry to adapt to changing dynamics, with 41% of respondents pointing to the strengthening of social media strategies as a crucial element for future shifts. Following this are the enhancement of customer satisfaction (30%) and addressing the needs of couples who choose not to marry (29%). In the face of diversifying values and the increasing detachment from traditional rituals, there is an evident call for the industry to extend beyond binary choices in wedding offerings, fostering a more inclusive approach.

Survey Background

Weve's mission involves continuous monitoring and visualizing the trends and challenges within the bridal industry. By focusing on those creating weddings rather than only surveying couples, this research aims to foster data-driven conversations about the future of wedding planning. The outcomes are expected to stimulate business planning and encourage new collaborations that will ultimately contribute to the sustainable growth and cultural relevance of weddings.

2025 Survey Overview

• - Survey Title: Bridal Industry Current Situation Survey 2025
• - Survey Period: February 2025
• - Participants: Bridal industry professionals including venue operators, on-site managers, partner companies, and freelancers.
• - Methodology: Online questionnaire.
• - Total Responses: 631 (376 venue representatives and 255 partner representatives).

The comprehensive report summarizing the survey findings can be freely downloaded via the link provided. We invite inquiries into individual interviews, data sharing, and collaborative article initiatives.

Weve Corporation

With a mission to eliminate regrets among couples who tie the knot, Weve Corporation offers a diverse array of solutions through visual content, gifts, media, and social media services aimed at addressing challenges faced by wedding venues.

• - Video Services: Over 12,000 shooting performances annually.
• - Media Services: Wedding video marketing platform