Welcome to WeddingIndustry.biz, devoted to helping you, the wedding professional, build your business and knowledge about the wedding and event industry (in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and throughout the United States as well). Topics include books about the wedding industry, bridal trends, wedding statistics, marriage trends, marriage education resources, blogs and wedding podcasts, charitable giving in the wedding industry, eco-friendly and "green weddings," marketing and sales, web site development and search engine optimization, wedding and event industry associations, professional development, helpful articles and much more!

Featured sponsor: Art of Marriage Photo Frame Listen to "infocast" on the Wedding Podcast Network (marketplace section)

Books About The Wedding Industry

Wedding Vendor Handbook: Get to the Top and Stay There by Barbara Wallace	Brides, Inc.: American Weddings and the Business of Tradition by Vicki Howard	One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding by Rebecca Mead
View Catering & Event Planning Books by ChipsBooks.com	Check out any of Sharon Naylor's 33 wedding planning books (and growing!) at SharonNaylor.net

Bridal/Wedding Statistics, Trends, Research & Resources

• A Guide To The Hottest Wedding Trends For 2008 - by Nina Callaway, About.com Weddings Guide
• 2007 Wedding and Reception Trends - a "top 20" list of wedding trends by renowned author and wedding planning expert, Sharon Naylor
• 2007 Wedding Fashion & Design Trends - an informative article (geared towards couples) by bridal consultant Carol Beaugard from Affairs of Distinction
• A Guide To The Wedding Industry - wedding industry research from the Library of Congress
• NEW! - American Wedding Survey - (.pdf file) a recent (2007) study of wedding trends by the Fairchild Bridal Group (Conde Nast), publishers of Bride, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride magazines. Special focus emphasizes role of the "echo boomers" (children of the baby boomer generation) and the projected increase in first marriages over the next 15 years as this generation reaches their marrying years.
  • Special Report on New Jersey Weddings (.pdf file) - "The Power of Love" report from Conde Nast and Brides.com
  • The Echo Boomers - CBS News special report on the "Children of the Baby Boomers"
  • The Cost of Getting Married (NAPSI)
  • US Wedding Spending Up $5 Billion and Counting...
• Bridal Industry Magazines:
  • Bridal Sources Magazine
  • Vows Magazine - The Bridal & Wedding Business Journal
• Sharon Naylor Wedding Books - nationally known wedding planning author and resident Q&A specialist at NJWedding.com has extensive background and research in various areas of wedding planning. Refer your couples to Sharon's web site or "Expert Advice" section on NJWedding.com if they have any questions about their wedding plans!
• South Asian Weddings - resources by NJWedding.com about a growing marketplace for Asian Indian wedding celebrations in the New Jersey/New York area
• The Wedding Report - wedding statistics, market research, trends and news for the wedding professional from wedding industry entrepreneur Shane McMurray
  • Cost of Wedding - an additional resource showing the costs of weddings throughout different parts of the country
• Wedding information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, includes various types of weddings, wedding expenses, customs, clothing, ethnic weddings, wedding traditions and many other references.
• Wedding-Related TV Programs - learn what brides-to-be are watching on television to give them ideas about their wedding plans
• Wedding/Bridal Industry News in the Media:
  • Get Ready To Party - And Spend Some Money: The Modern Party Is Becoming More Extravagant And More Expensive - a feature on CBS News
  • NEW! - What's hot in magazines: Bridal titles: they're now the fastest-growing magazine category - in Media Life magazine

Marriage Statistics & License Information, New Jersey Civil Unions, Same-Sex Marriage

• New Jersey Marriage Data & Statistics - from the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
• Getting Married in New Jersey - including information on applying for a marriage or civil union license, links to the application form and other legal requirements
  • State of New Jersey, Department of Health & Senior Services, Office of Vital Statistics
  • Lists of New Jersey Registrars by County
• Civil Unions in New Jersey: resources to become informed about the legal decision granting equal rights to Gay and Lesbian couples in New Jersey (following the Lewis v. Harris New Jersey Marriage Equality Case on October 25, 2006) - see NJWedding.com's new "Civil Union Celebrations" category and below links for more coverage on this topic
  • Governor Corzine Signs Civil Union Bill (new law became effective February 19, 2007)
  • The Effect of Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership on Business and the Economy by M.V. Lee Badgett and Gary J. Gates (October 2006 - .pdf file) from The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • Economic Benefits from Same-Sex Weddings in New Jersey by M.V. Lee Badgett (December 2006 - .pdf file) - This report predicts that if same-sex couples were allowed to marry, sales by New Jersey's wedding and tourism-related businesses would rise by $102.5 million per year. Also, the State's gross receipt tax revenues would rise by $7.2 million per year.
  • A Demographic Profile of New Jersey's Gay and Lesbian families
  • Here comes the...economic boom? A day after approval, gauging the impact of New Jersey's civil-union bill (from the Philadelphia Inquirer, December 16, 2006)
  • Garden State Equality - New Jersey's political action organization supporting LGBTI Gay rights
  • New Jersey Lesbian & Gay Coalition - resources, news and issues about New Jersey and the LGBTI community
  • Same-sex marriage in New Jersey from Wilkipedia, the free encyclopedia
  • The difference between Marriage and Civil Unions (.pdf file) - provided by GLAD

Marriage Research & News

• National Marriage Project - Research, education, training and advocacy to strengthen the institution of marriage, by Dr. David Popenoe and Barbara Dafoe Whitehead at Rutgers University.
  • download "The State of Our Unions 2007: The Social Health of Marriage in America (.pdf file - July 2007)
• Healthy Marriage Initiative by the Administration for Children & Families, U.S Department of Health & Human Services
  • National Healthy Marriage Resource Center - strengthening families, communities and a nation - one marriage at a time. An excellent resource for marriage education programs on a Federal level.
  • African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) - promoting and strengthening the institution of healthy marriage in the African American community
  • Hispanic Healthy Marriage Initiative (HHMI) - addresses the unique cultural, linguistic, demographic, and socio-economic needs of children and families in Hispanic communities.
• National Center for Marriage Research - located at Bowling Green State University, the center will conduct workshops, seminars, conferences and small-grant competitions; build a marriage-related data and measurement infrastructure, and disseminate research findings by various means.
• Center for Marriage and Families at the Institute for American Values - issues research briefs, fact sheets, and other material related to marriage, families, and children
• Institute for Marriage and Public Policy - "strengthening marriage for a new generation" - a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to high quality research and public education on ways that law and public policy can strengthen marriage as a social institution.
• Fatherhood and Marriage Leadership Institute - strengthening marriage through political action
• Building Strong Families - an initiative to develop and evaluate programs designed to help interested unwed parents achieve their aspirations for healthy marriage and a stable family life.
• Report of Marriage on Health: A Synthesis of Recent Research Evidence (.pdf file) - Prepared for the Department of Health and Human Services (June 19, 2007)
• The Effects of Marriage and Divorce on Families and Children - Presented Before the Science, Technology and Space Subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate (May 2004)
  • Supporting Healthy Marriage - project supported by the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - visit the official site or download .pdf file
• State Policies to Promote Marriage - Report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2002) - download .pdf file
• A Snapshot of Marriage in the United States (.pdf file) - provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Marriage news from The White House:
  • Working Toward Independence: Promote Child Well-Being and Healthy Marriages (February 2002)
  • Marriage Protection Week - A Proclamation by George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, on preserving the sanctity of marriage and on building strong and healthy marriages in America. (October 3, 2003)
  • President Bush Discusses Massachussettes/San Francisco Marriage Issues (February 18, 2004)
  • President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage (February 24, 2004)
  • Record of Achievement - Protecting Children, Strengthening Families (February 15, 2006)
  • President's Radio Address on marriage and the Defense of Marriage Act (June 3, 2006)
  • President Discusses Marriage Protection Amendment (June 5, 2006)
  • Marriage Protection Amendment (June 6, 2006 - Senate & July 18, 2006 - House)
  • President's Statement on the Senate's Marriage Protection Amendment Vote (June 7, 2006)
• Marriage, Welfare & Poverty - an understanding of how marriage is an important social institution, and how government policy can promote and encourage healthy marriage, provided by the Heritage Foundation.
  • "Marriage and the Welfare of America" - a speech delivered on June 13, 2006 by The Honorable Mike Leavitt, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services about the importance of promoting healthy marriages in the United States.
• Marriage information from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, includes marriage rights and obligations, history of marriage, arranged marriage, weddings, marriage and religion, marriage and economics, same-sex marriage and many other references.
• Marriage Equality USA, Inc.
  • The Effect of Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership on Business and the Economy by M.V. Lee Badgett and Gary J. Gates (October 2006 - .pdf file) from The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • The difference between Marriage and Civil Unions (.pdf file) - provided by GLAD
• Marriage News in the Media:
  • Premarital counseling: Should getting married without it be illegal? - American Chronicle - 11/6/07
  • Young Adults Delaying Marriage - USA Today - 9/12/07
  • Anti-Divorce Effort Saves Marriages: Community Marriage Policies Help Lower Divorce Rates - A "Key To Success" in Love and Marriage - ABC News - 10/22/07
  • Wedded to Marriage: Invest now or pay later? by Dr. Wade F. Horn - National Review - 8/9/05

Marriage Education Resources

• "The Art of Marriage" - one of the most well-known inspirational essays about marriage, written by Wilferd A. Peterson (click here for full Biography), and used often by couples in wedding ceremony readings and/or wedding programs (view short version - view long version)
  • Art of Marriage Photo Frame - a product that features "The Art of Marriage" essay, foil stamped on a mat, and place in a 10"x10" photo frame, with an insert for a couple's engagement, wedding or anniversary photo. A portion of proceeds will support the Art of Marriage Foundation.
• Smart Marriages - The Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education, with information on workshops, seminars and additional information.
• Marriage Alive International, Inc. - transforming marriage and family relations
• Marriage Savers - preparing, strengthening and restoring marriages
• National Extension Relationship & Marriage Education Network - a nationwide outreach that supports individuals and couples preparing for, developing and enriching healthy relationships and healthy marriages
• The National Healthy Marriage Institute, LLC - believes that "the keystone of society is healthy marriages" and creates products and services to help couples form and sustain healthy marriages.
  • Healthy Marriage Tips - produces the "Healthy Marriage Pamphlet Series" on various topics.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy - the professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy.
• The National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists - a "pro-commitment" counseling web site, designed to help support couples in need of pre- or post-marriage counseling.
• The First Dance - advice on working through the people stresses of wedding planning as a couple, with your families, and how to strengthen your upcoming marriage through this enormous first task of married life (from 2007 Modern Bride Top 25 Trendsetters Bill Doherty, a nationally recognized marriage and family therapist, and daughter Elizabeth Doherty Thomas, a recent bride).
• FREE Relationship Advice through NJWedding.com from Miles Wagman, director of The Relationship Center in Red Bank, New Jersey
• Marriage Education Articles & News:
  • NEW! - Beyond the Wedding - Tips For A Healthy Marriage - by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway, editor of Wedlok.com - 11/14/o7

Blogs & Wedding Podcasts

• Wedding Podcast Network - listen to "wedding talk radio on-demand" on various topics from hosts Robert Allen and Holli Ehrlich. Programs include: Bridal Scene, Meet The Masters, It's YOUR Wedding (with wedding planner Samantha Goldberg from the Style Network's "Who's Wedding Is It Anyway?" and "Married Away"), Lovecast, Here Come The Moms (with wedding planning expert and author Sharon Naylor), Newlywedcast, Grooms With A View, and much more!
• "Jersey Weddings Blog" on NJ.com - an informative BLOG about wedding planning in New Jersey by Erica Sapio
• Marketing Strategy and Tactics for Wedding Professionals - I found this interesting BLOG of articles, tips and ideas on weddingyellow.com and thought it may be a helpful additional resource for information on marketing your wedding business
• Vows Magazine News Blog - the latest news of bridal people, companies and events from Vows Magazine - the Bridal & Wedding Business Journal
• From "I Will" to "I Do" - filled with wedding planning tips, vendor recommendations and bridal related products, helping brides and grooms plan their dream weddings, written by iVillage wedding expert Anne Chertoff, producer of iVillage Weddings.
• Sharon Naylor's Wedding Blog - insider information on the world of weddings from wedding planning author and expert Sharon Naylor. Also view Sharon's blog on iVillage Weddings called "Planning In Peace: Tips for being a harmonious bride."
• Wedlok.com - Wedding News from Las Vegas, New York and around the world, by "Wedding Goddess" Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway

Charitable Giving In The Wedding Industry

• The I Do Foundation links engaged couples with a host of charitable giving options at their wedding. Couples can choose to support one of their charitable partners or suggest their own.
• Brides Against Breast Cancer is the Making Memories Foundation's number one fundraising event.  They have gown sale events nationwide enabling brides-to-be to find the gown of their dreams while making wishes come true for women and men diagnosed with breast cancer.  This "nationwide tour of gowns" is made possible by women around the world that donate their treasured wedding gowns.  Bridal shops and manufacturers also donate hundreds of beautiful, new designer gowns every month.  This is a unique opportunity for brides-to-be to find one-of-a-kind gowns at an incredible savings.  Also learn about the organization's Pink Envelope Project supported by couples having a Pink Envelope Bridal Shower or Pink Envelope Wedding Reception.
• Charitable Wedding Ideas from JustGive.org - includes information on registering with charities, donating money on behalf of wedding guests as a wedding favor, donating leftover food, giving away wedding flowers, donating wedding dresses and couples to volunteer on their honeymoon, as well as "green" weddings for eco-friendly couples.
• Companies That Care Network / Special E - rescues food leftover from weddings, parties and events to help people in need.
• American Diabetes Association - couples can give special meaning to their wedding day with a tax-deductible gift, in lieu of traditional wedding favors. They can announce their contribution with complimentary invitation cards and their choice of personalized table tent cards, scrolls or bookmarks.
• The National Arbor Day Foundation suggests giving "gift trees" to guests as a special reminder of the wedding day, which can also include a personalized message from the couple with a customized label
• Changing The Present - "Changing The World...One Gift At A Time" - lets wedding guests honor a couple's marriage with inspiring gifts: anything from providing a child with her first book to funding an hour of cancer research.
• Art of Marriage Foundation - a non-profit charitable organization to help couples develop strong marriages and families through marriage education.
• More about Weddings and Charitable Giving from Nina Callaway at About.com

Eco-Friendly & "Green Weddings"

• Read "10 Ways To Go Green On Your Wedding Day" from the I Do Foundation
• "How Green Was My Wedding" - (February 11, 2007) an article that appeared in the New York Times, highlighting the growing popularity of the "green" weddings trend and how they are making a positive impact on the wedding world.
• "Hottest wedding trend is going green: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something...green" - from MSNBC (June 5, 2007), offering "Green Wedding Tips" on how couples can contribute to saving the earth through thoughtful actions while planning their wedding celebrations.
• "The Green Life - 10 Steps to a Green Wedding" - an article filled with helpful tips from The Sierra Club
• Green Elegance Weddings - Green Wedding Planning Resources and recent articles about "green weddings" around the globe...
• More about Green Weddings and Nature-Centered Weddings, from Nina Callaway, About.com Weddings Guide

Marketing & Sales

• Bridal Shows in New Jersey - There are lots of bridal show producers that have shows on various weekdays and weekends, and having a booth at these shows is an effective way for New Jersey wedding business owners to be "in front" of the bride and groom (and their family and friends, who sometimes attend with them). Check out the list of New Jersey bridal show producers that we've compiled, and as an advertiser on NJWedding.com, you may receive an introductory discount!
• Sell The Bride - developed by wedding industry expert and New Jersey resident, Brian Lawrence, to help wedding professionals in various areas, including sales and marketing, invitations and increasing business locally through internet advertising
• Sell More Weddings - another site from wedding industry expert Chris Jaeger
• Book More Weddings - a helpful resource for wedding professionals about online marketing, search engine optimization and much more, from wedding industry expert Chris Jaeger.
• Constant Contact - if you're receiving leads of New Jersey couples from NJWedding.com or any other resource (magazine, bridal show company, direct mail resource, etc.), then keeping in touch with these interested brides and grooms to introduce your services and products can become an overwhelming task. Constant Contact is a direct e-mail marketing resource where you can easily set up campaigns to be sent on a regular basis to help promote your services
• MyOnlineData.com - an email marketing service in association with Rich Drozd at American Bridal Shows. If you're currently using myonlinedata.com to send automated email campaigns, you can upgrade to include the NJWedding.com leads as well - inquire for details.
• Web Cards - direct mail marketing has been proven as one of the most effective means of increasing sales for a small (and large) business. Web Cards is a service that helps you promote your web site through creating post cards and other mailers that you can send on a regular basis

Web Site Development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Hosting

• Graphic D-Signs, Inc. - we highly recommend the services of Dan Antonelli and his staff at Graphic D-Signs, who recently helped NJWedding.com with our "face-lift" after being in need of a redesign. Dan is fully experienced as a graphic designer to create a new look for your wedding business witha new logo, business cards, stationery and more, and has created web sites for many wedding businesses, so he knows the industry and what brides and grooms are looking for.
• SEO Web Results - Kenny Baroff has been in the marketing industry for many years, helping small and big businesses with advertising campaigns. He recently launched a company to specifically help businesses with Search Engine Optimization, since web site marketing is such an effective means of advertising. Contact Kenny today for a free web site analysis.
• We use and recommend two different web site web site hosting providers for various services: CFXHosting.com (for advanced hosting needs) and Net Access Corporation (a New Jersey-based hosting provider).
• Bill Treloar from Rank Magic recently ran a report for NJWedding.com, showing where our links appear in all the major search engines. I highly recommend the same for any business, since it's important to know where you rank high and what keywords need improvement in your search engine optimization strategies.
• AVP Multimedia specializes in web design, web hosting, video for the web, video production and graphic design, working closely with DJs, Bands, Photography Studios and many other companies within the wedding industry.
• Read our FREE Special Report - "7 Tips For Online Marketing Success" to learn more about important web site development techniques, META tags, submitting to search engines and more!

Wedding & Event Industry Associations - (full list)

• The Association of Bridal Consultants-New Jersey Branch (ABC) is the only organization dedicated exclusively to serving wedding professionals worldwide. The ABC New Jersey Branch was started in 1990 and currently has about 150 members. Its' membership includes bridal consultants, bridal shops, invitation specialists, caterers, photographers, videographers, entertainment companies, florists, manufacturers and publishers, just to name a few. Visit the ABC-NJ web site for more information and a membership application and to find out about upcoming meetings and events.
• The International Special Events Society-New Jersey Chapter (ISES) is the only international association which serves as an umbrella organization bringing together the different disciplines involved in the special events industry. The ISES New Jersey Chapter was started in October of 1998 and currently has over 75 members. Its' members are special events producers, caterers, rental companies, special effects experts, transportation companies, party and convention coordinators, hotel sales managers and more. Visit the ISES-NJ web site for more information, to sign up for the newsletter, to requestt a membership application and to find out about upcoming meetings and events.
• New Jersey Wedding & Event Professionals (NJWEP) - Networking & Resources for New Jersey Event Professionals. Professionals are welcome to join this group for free & take advantage of a lead program & great networking events! If you are planning an event, visit the Virtual Event Planner & gain access to over 100 top vendors from the Garden State!

The Association of Bridal Consultants (http://www.njwedding.com/abc), International Special Events Society (http://www.njises.org) and New Jersey Wedding & Event Professionals (http://www.njeventpro.net) are excellent groups to belong to as a wedding and event professional. The meetings and programs throughout the year are an excellent opportunity for personal and professional development, networking and building relationships with other colleagues in the wedding business.

Professional & Personal Development

• If you're travelling to a wedding or special event, bridal show or wedding industry association meeting, there's no better time than to listen to motivational and professional development cassettes or CDs in your car (known as "Automobile University"). Long rides provide an opportunity to improve your skills in the fields of sales, business knowledge, goal-setting and much more. Nightingale-Conant is a provider of such cassettes and CDs that you can purchase and listen to at your leisure. Some favorite authors/speakers include Anthony Robbins, Tom Hopkins, Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Jay Abraham, Dan Kennedy. Wayne Dyer, Roger Dawson, Peter Lowe, Tom Peters, Michael Gerber, Harvey MacKay and Paul and Sarah Edwards, to name just a few.
• Marc Green, owner of Performance Dynamics Group in Green Brook, New Jersey, is a dynamic speaker and business professional (he's spoken about Sales, Marketing and Business Goals at both the ISES and ABC meetings in the past). I subscribe to his newsletter to learn about many topics of professional and personal development. He also runs seminars geared for small business owners, executives and managers. I think you'll find his information and resources helpful in keeping you focused and motivated.

Wedding Magazines (National)

• Brides Magazine - corporate information from Conde Nast Bridal Media
  • Brides Magazine Online & Local Print - corporate information from Conde Nast Bridal Media
  • Brides.com
• Modern Bride Magazine - corporate information from Conde Nast Bridal Media
  • ModernBride.com
• Elegant Bride Magazine - corporate information from Condes Nast Bridal Media
  • ElegantBride.com

More information always being added, so bookmark this page and check back for updates! If you have any additional resources that would benefit other wedding professionals, please email us so we can add it to the list...thanks!