Mintel examines the impact of the recession on wedding plans from the engagement to the vows and delivers a detailed list of how couples are swapping or trading-down in order to make ends meet. This study also reveals how non-traditional businesses can make inroads towards the bridal market as a growing number of couples embrace creativity and humor in place of formality.

Mintel's focus group study conducted in May 2009 covers how couples are planning their wedding in the heart of the economic recession just in time for the June wedding season. This presentation includes a five-minute video of couples on the street giving candid details of their wedding plans including everything from dress-shopping to most wanted bridal gifts.

Mintel's internal focus group provides specific details covering how couples managed the planning while answering the questions:

Can couples plan a dream wedding during a recession?

What are the marriage statistics?

Who does the planning?

What aspects of wedding planning are negotiable?

How do couples navigate the hidden fees and pitfalls of wedding planning?

What was the biggest surprise found during the planning?

How do couples avoid "template" weddings?

How can creativity cut costs?

Should the honeymoon be postponed or just scaled back?

Stay in town or plan a destinatio wedding?

What about buying a first home?