Digital wedding marketplace The Knot Worldwide has acquired Simply Eloped, an online platform for elopements and microweddings.
“We were excited when the Simply Eloped team proposed the idea of an acquisition to join our family of brands, as we have long admired the business,” Tim Chi, chief executive officer of The Knot Worldwide, said in a news release Monday (July 8).
“Today’s micro wedding and elopement couples are increasingly seeking to personalize their celebrations,” Chi added. “We are combining forces with Simply Eloped to provide these couples the end-to-end support and talented vendor network they need to make their dreams a reality, while introducing new business opportunities for vendors.”
According to the release, Simply Eloped works with more than 750 wedding professionals, letting couples purchase customized packages for elopements — 15 or so people — and microweddings — up to 50 — with costs ranging from $450 to $5,500.
Elsewhere in the wedding space, PYMNTS spoke recently with Kleinfeld Bridal Co-owner Ronnie Rothstein and Consulting Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Shipe about how consumers’ on-demand expectations are transforming the industry.
For example, brides are demanding, more than ever before, dresses that reflect fast-changing trends, rather than going with more timeless styles.
“It’s much more fashion-oriented today in bridal than it was 15 or 20 years ago, and the fashions change more,” Rothstein said. “The fabrics can modify, the embellishments on the fabrics [and] whatever. So, [all the retailers are] trying to speed it up and not get stuck with inventory.”
He added that many bridal customers want a dress ready in less time than in the past.
“We’re seeing those planning timelines shorten. Gone are the days of, ‘I’m gonna plan two years ahead.’ We’re seeing much, much shorter timelines from when she’s engaged to when she wants to be married,” Shipe said.
Rothstein also noted that the company’s recent launch of Kleinfeld Again, an online marketplace for pre-owned dresses, allows it to offer ready-to-go garments.
In a separate interview in May, PYMNTS spoke with Kelly Cook, president of brand, technology and finance at David’s Bridal, about the demand among people renewing their vows to make the occasion special.
“I had a chance meeting with a bride — a beautiful older lady in a store,” Cook recalled. “We were chatting, and she had on a full bridal gown, and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, are you getting married?’ … and she goes, ‘Oh, we’re having a vow renewal ceremony’ … What’s better than marrying the first time than marrying the love of your life again?”
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