NEW STUDY: Rhode Island Ranked 3rd Hottest State in U.S. for Weddings

NEW STUDY: Rhode Island Ranked 3rd Hottest State in U.S. for Weddings

A new study reports that 2022 is the biggest year ever for weddings. An unprecedented 2.5 million weddings are set to take place this year, a boom not seen since 1984.

And, the report ranks Rhode Island as the No. 3 hottest state for the wedding industry.

The study entitled, Where the Wedding Industry is Booming, was released on Tuesday and was developed after analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics data on annual pay and employment for five occupations central to the industry – event planners, jewelers, florists, photographers, and bakers.

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Rhode Island has a history of high-profile weddings, including Jackie and Jack Kennedy and the more recent Jennifer Lawrence.

"The most famous of initials, Jackie O. and J.F.K., married in Newport, Rhode Island, in front of 800 people. Four hundred more of their closest friends and family joined for the reception, where the new Mrs. Kennedy, in a gown by Ann Lowe, and the future president shared their first dance," wrote Allure Magazine.

In addition, Rhode Island has three major draws -- Newport, Block Island, and Providence are all hot spots.

 

Key Findings in Rhode Island contributing to its No. 3 ranking:

·        Event planners: Earn $56,320 and there are 91 event planners per 100,000 jobs

·        Jewelers: Earn $45,120 and there are 120 jewelers per 100,000 jobs

·        Florists: Earn $34,600 and there are 20 florists per 100,000 jobs

·        Photographers: Earn $47,630 and there are 37 photographers per 100,000 jobs

·        Bakers: Earn $34,400 and there are 249 bakers per 100,000 jobs.

10 Hottest States: 1) New York, 2) Washington, 3) Rhode Island, 4) Massachusetts, 5) Hawaii, 6) Connecticut, 7) California, 8) Colorado, 9) Vermont, 10) New Jersey.

10 Worst States: 1) West Virginia, 2) Mississippi, 3) Kentucky, 4) Alabama, 5) New Mexico, 6) Louisiana, 7) South Carolina, 8) Arkansas, 9) Kansas, 10) Wyoming.

In February, Newport travel experts told GoLocal that the $50 million industry was back after the COVID hit.

“It is back one hundred percent-plus. There is more demand than we have dates available,” said Beverly Ware of Newport Preservation Society -- the owners and operators of The Breakers, Rosecliff. and eight other historic properties.

Evan Smith, the President and CEO of Discover Newport says the industry is nearly completely recovered.

"In terms of the total number of weddings, I think we are over 90% of the way there. COVID and all the challenges it brought have caused a small percentage of brides to rethink the size, shape and scope of how they wish to celebrate their unions," said Smith.

 

The study was commissioned by Rare Carat.