Changes Trending

 

This year has thrown a wrench in many wedding events and celebrations with cancellations, reschedules and to-be-announced becoming the rule, rather than the exception. Bachelor and bachelorette parties have also been affected, with many destination locations closed to travelers along with shutdowns of bars, restaurants and local attractions.

Online wedding resource outlet WeddingWire released a new report today, July 14, on the 2020 trends for bachelor and bachelorette parties amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The initial findings in the report are that 50 percent of couples are opting to reschedule their bachelor/ette festivities because of the pandemic and those who are still going ahead as planned are looking at more low-key options like socially distant brewery trips, casual dinners at home or utilizing a rental property versus a hotel or resort. Additionally, 20 percent said they are planning a “Fling After the Ring” celebration and waiting until after the ceremony to celebrate.

“What we’re seeing today is that there’s still a strong desire by couples to celebrate their marriages in similar ways to what they originally planned, including typical prewedding events like bach parties,” said Jeffra Trumpower, senior creative director at WeddingWire in a press release about the report. “That being said, this longing for ‘normalcy’ does not come at the expense of the safety of couples’ loved ones. We’re seeing health and safety precautions and following state and federal guidelines at the forefront of couples’ decisions on how to celebrate their bach parties — whether that means reevaluating accommodations and staying in a rental home instead of a hotel or resort, or coming up with alternative options for group activities that comply with social distancing recommendations.”

Aside from rescheduling their bachelor and bachelorette events, many couples are adjusting the type, size and location of their events when not changing the date to another time. In comparing this data to reports from 2019, WeddingWire found — in addition to rental homes being on the rise — that groups are trading the clubbing and dancing night out for dinner and drinks (68 percent versus 51 percent in 2019, according to the report); staying in (49 percent versus 19 percent in 2019); or visiting a winery or brewery (35 percent versus 16 percent in 2019).

Other findings included that intimate gatherings are becoming more popular, personal car use is increasing and costs are decreasing for one-in-four couples.

A surprising finding for us was that New Orleans didn’t make the cut for the top bachelor/bachelorette party destination. Top states remained California, Texas and New York, but we think anyone that plans a party without a little of the Big Easy doesn’t know the real potential of a bachelor(ette) party.

 

 

 

Digital Sponsors

Become a MyNewOrleans.com sponsor ...