BY RHONDA BASSAT-RIVERA
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
WEDDING TRENDS
Welcome to my first column about the state of weddings in New Jersey! I am so excited to share with you what I have learned, experienced and accomplished over the past seven years that I have been a wedding consultant here in New Jersey! I certainly hope that you will glean some information from this column that will help make your special day even more amazing that you dreamed.
The first "trend" that I want to address is perhaps not so much of a trend, but an acceptance of the current economic reality. When I first started coordinating weddings, my clients never were too concerned with the budget. Of course, they had a budget, but there always were extra funds to be put toward the lavish centerpieces or room lighting or an extra gown for the bride. Money was plentiful and excess was the norm.
Today, the economy has affected even the recession-resistant wedding market in one way or another. Couples who have the budgets are scaling back so as not to appear ostentatious. Others are seeking financial assistance from just not parents, but also other family members. Still other couples are seeking to do more with less of a budget.
Ramapo College of New Jersey, located in Mahwah, has donated 50 Mac computers to help foster children and homeless young adults throughout the state.
Americans in needs of a quick news fix are continuing to turn in greater numbers to news web sites, according to Outsell's third annual news users' research project.
