01/18/10 - Madison County
Couples across West Tennessee are
no longer putting off their weddings because of a lack of funds
and many hope it is a sign of a resurging economy.
On Sept. 25, Jessica Crook will change her last name to Gregory. She has been engaged for more than a year. "We are building a house and it was not going to be ready last fall, so we shot for this year," said Crook.
Jessica is not the only one walking down the aisle in 2010. Wedding consultants claim the number of couples tying the knot is up this year. "Business is very good for us," said Petrina Stewart, a wedding consultant. Stewart plans and caters weddings at Ivy Hall.
"I think this is going to be the best year I have had so far in the wedding business," she said. Brides from all over West Tennessee flock to her facility. "We have people from McKenzie, Dyersburg, Huntingdon and Middleton," said Stewart.
Business started booming after the holidays. "All of my summer weddings are already taken, so people now are planning on their fall weddings and even weddings into next year," said Stewart.
Since Saturdays are all booked, now people want Sunday weddings. "I definitely think this is a sign that things are looking up in the economy," said Stewart.
When most brides walk down the aisle, money is a huge factor. Stewart said this year brides are spending more money. "There is a little more cash available this year," said Stewart.
Crook's decision to delay her wedding translates into big savings. "We buy a pack of bubbles here, buy a box of invitations there, so it helps with the money that we do not have so much at one lump sum," said Crook.
Statistics show couples in Jackson spend on average somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000 dollars per wedding.
On Sept. 25, Jessica Crook will change her last name to Gregory. She has been engaged for more than a year. "We are building a house and it was not going to be ready last fall, so we shot for this year," said Crook.
Jessica is not the only one walking down the aisle in 2010. Wedding consultants claim the number of couples tying the knot is up this year. "Business is very good for us," said Petrina Stewart, a wedding consultant. Stewart plans and caters weddings at Ivy Hall.
"I think this is going to be the best year I have had so far in the wedding business," she said. Brides from all over West Tennessee flock to her facility. "We have people from McKenzie, Dyersburg, Huntingdon and Middleton," said Stewart.
Business started booming after the holidays. "All of my summer weddings are already taken, so people now are planning on their fall weddings and even weddings into next year," said Stewart.
Since Saturdays are all booked, now people want Sunday weddings. "I definitely think this is a sign that things are looking up in the economy," said Stewart.
When most brides walk down the aisle, money is a huge factor. Stewart said this year brides are spending more money. "There is a little more cash available this year," said Stewart.
Crook's decision to delay her wedding translates into big savings. "We buy a pack of bubbles here, buy a box of invitations there, so it helps with the money that we do not have so much at one lump sum," said Crook.
Statistics show couples in Jackson spend on average somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000 dollars per wedding.