New concept for wedding sector.

With the UK's Civil Partnerships Act in force from December 2005, same-sex relationships have been officially sanctioned, with the prospect of "gay weddings" creating a new sector for wedding products and services.

Many observers predict that the wedding industry could be boosted by US$17 million or much more per year.

The highest-profile event so far has been the civil partnership ceremony between pop superstar Elton John and his Canadian partner David Furnish, in a lavish event in Windsor, west of London.

The change of law could have a similarly large impact on the entire ceremonial and logistical implications of weddings in the country, which same-sex couples have been denied until now. These include all the trappings of a previously formal union, including the fun, the froth and frivolity of a wedding banquet.

There are the clothes, the presents, the wedding trappings; the rings alone could be worth a six-figure sum.

There are now websites selling so-called "pink" products, consultancies for gay weddings, photographers who specialise in same-sex wedding photos, as well as tour organisers selling same-sex honeymoon packages.

A Gay Wedding Show is broadcast on TV and one English town features a gay-friendly Town Crier as an MC for same-sex weddings, where his (or her) role had been more traditionally civic in the past.

In short, the same-sex union and its purchasing power has become resurgent, establishing connected new industries.

Research suggests that partners in same-sex unions are more likely to be educated, culture loving and financially secure. Coming almost universally from A, B and C1 social classification groups, and usually not having children, the partners generally have high disposable incomes combined with dressy, sociable and fun-loving lifestyles.

This should mean extra business for Hong Kong suppliers of wedding products, but all ranges would have to be evaluated and aimed at the new style marriages.

from David Marsden, London Office

Contact:
http://www.civilmarriage.co.uk
http://www.comefirst.co.uk
http://www.gay-friendly-wedding-venues.com
http://www.pinkphotos.biz
http://www.pinkproducts.co.uk
http://www.pinkweddingdays.co.uk
http://www.trulymadlydeeply.biz