Virginia is for Lovers is an iconic and instantly identifiable slogan for Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC). VTC has long been in the business of promoting Virginia’s rich tourism products, but recently, the state tourism agency has been harnessing the power of Virginia’s diverse landscapes, exciting cities, rich history, and incomparable culinary offerings to market the state as a premiere wedding destination to couples from Virginia and beyond.
More than 2.5 million couples get married in the United States every year. Some couples may simply go to a courthouse or city hall. But more elaborate wedding ceremonies are big business, adding $70 billion to the American economy every year.
Currently, Virginia hosts more than 57,000 weddings a year*, with a total economic impact of more than $1.7 billion per year. Virginia currently ranks as the 11th most popular state for weddings in the country and 6th most popular on the East Coast.
“Weddings are a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States and have a major economic impact in Virginia,” said Rita McClenny, President & CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “Virginia is the ideal place to get married, and we are proud to showcase our existing travel and tourism partners to attract more weddings to the Commonwealth. Increasing our market share by just 1% — that is, an additional 570 weddings or so per year – would mean a $17.1 million revenue boost for the Commonwealth.
That’s a major return on investment for relatively low hanging fruit–convincing more couples to get married at our gorgeous vineyards, breathtaking waterfront venues, historic museums, and beautiful mountain-view cabins and resorts.”
Virginia also offers a more affordable alternative to weddings in nearby metropolitan areas, with the average wedding cost at approximately $30,000. According to 2014 data from The Knot, on average, weddings in Virginia cost $46,000 less than nuptials in Manhattan, $14,000 less than Philadelphia, $9,000 less than Washington, D.C., and $4,000 less than Baltimore.
“Couples getting married in Virginia will receive 5-star service and amenities, but sometimes at nearly a third of the cost of other markets,” said McClenny. “Additionally, Virginia is extremely accessible–we are within a day’s drive of 60% of the U.S. population and boast 9 major airports, making travel for out-of-town guests fast, easy, and seamless. Getting married in Virginia is a win-win for couples, as they benefit from first-rate service, gorgeous venues, superior professionals, and accessible transportation – all at a much more affordable rate than many other destinations.”
The wedding industry has become a huge economic driver statewide, but particularly for smaller towns and small businesses across the Commonwealth. Weddings touch countless industries and sectors of the community-from florists to taxi drivers, hotels to cake makers, paper stores to dress shops. Weddings are having an important impact on Virginia’s economies, statewide and at the local level.
