Online vs offline: What’s best for the wedding industry?

As new digital platforms emerge and customers spend increasing amounts of time shopping and searching for products online – traditionally physical industries question their next move. One of these industries is the wedding industry – organising a wedding has traditionally always been quite a physical process, with brides needing to try on their wedding gowns before they buy, grooms having several suit fittings, and of course, who would want to miss out on the opportunity to have a tasting session at your venue for your wedding breakfast? But with new technologies and social media apps, is it time for the wedding industry to make a transition into the digital world?

A recent report revealed that over the past year, 87% of UK consumers have bought at least one product online. Digital sales have increased 21.3% in the year 2016 and are forecast to rise another 30% by the end of 2017. The question remains, what does this mean for wedding suppliers? Here, Angelic Diamonds, retailer of unique solitaire engagement rings and bespoke wedding rings, discuss whether it’s time for the industry to plunge into the digital world in order to survive.  

Going digital

Under the digital pressures, many high-street stores have failed as they didn’t make the transition to online. Will the wedding industry have to become more digitalised to stay successful?

Already, the digital world has made its mark on the wedding industry. With social media apps such as Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook, brides and grooms can find so much inspiration for their big day with just a few clicks. Modern couples are now using new technology when wedding planning. In fact, 42% of people use social media to plan their wedding – with 41% of brides following photographers on social media, 37% of brides following venues and 14% following florists.

One report from the The Huffington Post revealed that around 6 out of 10 brides are actively planning their weddings through their mobile device: they research gowns (61% of brides, up from 27% in 2011) and search for wedding vendors (57% of brides, up from 22% in 2011).

Modern couples are turning to social media for wedding inspiration than traditional wedding magazines and brochures. Instagram and Pinterest, which is used by 64% of brides, have now become a couple’s go to platform for all their inspiration, a digital alternative to a wedding fair. Suppliers who have not yet invested time into creating a social media profile for their business could be missing out on free exposure.

The use of social media doesn’t stop in the planning stages either – when asked, over a quarter of today’s modern couples (27%) said they would create a hashtag for their special day.

Should the wedding industry make the digital transition?

Luckily for wedding vendors, due to the nature of the industry, it is likely that they could survive without becoming fully digitalised. Whilst it is likely that companies will need to go digital at some stage to stay up to date with the latest technologies, and keep their head in the game, there might always be a place for them offline within the industry.

As many couples are aware, the planning process of a wedding involves a lot of seeing and experiencing the items in person. In fact, the industry might struggle to operate solely online, because of the need for physical processes. Wedding fairs have been around for centuries, and there is a reason for that; whilst modern couples use social media for visual inspiration, wedding fairs are still a great way for suppliers to engage face-to-face with potential customers. For most people, their wedding day is the biggest day of their lives so it’s important that they can speak face-to-face with suppliers, and physically see what they have to offer.

Of course, it’s hard for any business to escape the rise of digital. It is likely that the industry will embrace digital platforms – and couples will use these platforms as a source of inspiration and to help ease the planning process. However, the industry is not yet ready to wipe out all traditional methods of wedding planning. There’s no question that there is still a demand for the physical processes. Maybe, it’s just time for suppliers and other industry professionals to use digital as a means to extend their business and gain more exposure.  

Sources

https://www.confetti.co.uk/news/wedding-report-2015

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-douglas/part-1-the-past-present-f_b_9294420.html 

The Monday Piece - What Do Women Associate With Different Colours On A Man

What do women associate with different colours on a man?

Although a man may not realise, research has shown that depending on the colour they are wearing, they are perceived in different ways by the opposite sex. For example, a man dressed in red gives off the impression that they are powerful and a man in black is seen as confident. Together with Charles Tyrwhitt, a shirt retailer on Jermyn Street, we take a look at what the different colours mean from a woman’s perspective and which ones to avoid.

Decoding the colours

If men are looking to impress, they should consider one of the following colours, here’s what they mean…

The power of red

When we see red in branding and advertising, it is often associated with love and passion – it’s similar when we see someone wearing red clothing. It is thought that the attraction to red comes from our biological roots – many animals such as baboons are attracted to the opposite sex if they display bright colours. To wear this on a first date might be slightly overpowering, however it does give off some vibes that a woman might be interested in.

When research was conducted, it was found that women associated red clothing on a man with power and high social status. Research found that wearing red can actually boost the wearers own confidence, which will be a good thing during a first date for women who are looking for a man with some self-assurance. A red shirt can indicate good health and financially stability, two more things a woman may have on their checklist when looking for a new partner.

Compared to other shirt colours, how did red score? It was found to be more attractive than blue or green. This perception was a global consensus – wherever a man goes in a red shirt, they should expect to get a similar reception.

Unfortunate for a man in red, the colour did not make them appear kind or sociable.

Men in black

Once a colour that was kept in the wardrobe for mourning or something morbid, black hasn’t always been a popular fashion choice. But now, it’s had a new lease of life and is worn by many fashionable individuals. Similar to red, black can be perceived as the colour of self-assurance – 56% of women said that it inspired confidence. Other comments included that the colour black made the wearer appear more intelligent and sexy – perfect for a first date!

When dressing for a formal event, many people choose black as it oozes elegance. Too much black can be overpowering though, so if you’re shopping with your other half encourage them not to pair a black shirt with a black jacket, pants and shoes too.

Traditional white

During the research, white was selected as a popular choice that women like to see a man in. It was perceived to be the least arrogant colour and instead gave off the impression that the wearer was full of optimism! A white shirt is a classic look for men when they are choosing an outfit for a formal event. However, during research, it was the definitive white t-shirt and jeans combo that caught women’s eyes and was perceived to be the more attractive look for a man.  

Which colours should men avoid?

Men should avoid some colours if they’re looking to attract a woman. In many surveys revolving around the attractiveness of colour, orange and brown consistently performed poorly. They often are perceived as quite boring, drab colours although a bright orange shirt could brighten up an outfit nicely on a summer’s day.

One colour that was not a favourite with women was pink. Only 5% of people thought that intelligent people would wear this colour!

Further tips

Some further fashion tips include:

• Many men look great in a colour that matches their eyes. If you have green eyes perhaps opt for a moss green shirt- a popular colour this season
• Avoid wearing dark colours if you have a light complexion, this can really draw your skin tone out and make you appear paler
• If you have dark hair, opt for bright colours as these are likely to complement you more

Sources

http://mens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/What_Colors_Do_Women_Prefer_on_Men

http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3663

http://www.buytshirtsonline.co.uk/colour-perception/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/yourtango/go-to-clothing-color_b_8286140.html 

The Monday Piece - Vintage Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 Review

This week's Monday Piece is on this vintage Louis Vuitton Keepall 50! I don't buy many 'true vintage' pieces but after reading a few reviews and watching a few videos on vintage Louis Vuitton, i thought why not give it a try. I love travelling and am always on the hunt for a classic travel bag that can come along with me in the car/train/bus/plane, and as Louis Vuitton is the King of chic, timeless, travel pieces i opted for a vintage monogram keepall in the 50 size.

There are so many preloved websites out there that cater to the second hand handbag market, from Vestiaire Collective, to Poshmark and eBay consignment stores, that all offer amazing prices on authentic pieces - so i was spoilt for choice when looking for a specific style and size. I always get anything preloved authenticated to avoid the fakes, plus it's always important to buy off a trusted website that offers a return/refund service, just in case your not happy with your purchase. I also always look up the seller's information and feedback to see if they're trusted or not, as well as searching online for any tell tale tips on fakes of that style - i've been buying luxury for years but it helps to be cautious when parting with our hard earned $$$.

I got this bag from an eBay consignment store that had been recommended online, i put in a bargain bid last minute and won the auction after a few previous failed attempts...it arrived in about a week which is fast for the Aussie postal system and i was so happy with the condition. The bag is over 20 years old which is pretty nuts, the honey patina is so pretty and the handles feel amazing - the canvas is in such good condition for the age, and as it's the older style of material it's thicker and sturdier than the newer Louis Vuitton canvas, but as it's been 'used' it's malleable and squashy too. It has a few cracks and scuffs on the leather, which is to be expected, but other than that it looks great for a vintage piece. It fits enough in for a long weekend so it's the ideal size for going away - i've definitely fallen for the vintage style and am already eyeing up a few more classic Louis Vuitton styles! It's also ideal as you don't have to 'baby' it as it's already been worn in, which i think makes it more easy and enjoyable to use. Are you a fan of vintage luxury pieces?
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*Vintage Louis Vuitton Keepall 50, similar here*