Tying the Knot: Taiwan's World Class Wedding Industry

Despite an overall decline in marriage figures, there's no doubt that the wedding industry is still big business. In the United States, the average wedding cost around US$26,000 in 2011, and estimates for Taiwan for the same period are almost identical. In fact, when it comes to tying the knot, Taipei has a claim to being the world's wedding capital in terms of both value and comprehensiveness.

The Dress
It's hard to believe, but the Taiwanese company Pretty Fashions is responsible for up to 18 percent of the world's wedding dresses. Located on Zhongshan North Road, Taipei's "wedding mile," the firm has supplied David's Bridal, the largest American chain, and the Spanish designer brand Pronovias. Pretty Fashions has been around for 25 years, but only recently began selling to the local market. Historically, brides have not generally purchased their dresses, but this is starting to change. A subsidiary of Pretty Fashions, cuc.Bridals offers flawless samples at cheaper prices than most rentals, and major players like LinLi Wedding Boutique now also encourage purchase.

The Location
Traditional wedding receptions are usually held in outdoor marquees down lanes and alleys. Collapsible tables, plastic stools and plenty of beer are standard, and there is often a stage for speeches and live performances. However, times are changing and many young couples now favor more contemporary arrangements at upscale hotels. These venues are increasingly offering all-inclusive planning services.

台灣的世界級婚禮產業

儘管結婚人數整體下滑，婚禮產業無疑仍是一門大生意。在美國，辦一場婚禮的平均花費在二○一一年是 26,000 美元左右，台灣同期的估計數字也幾乎相同。事實上，提到結婚，就價值與整體性而言，台北都堪稱是世界婚禮之都。

禮服
說來難以置信，但台灣的新名企業出產了全球 18% 的婚紗禮服。位於台北市中山北路「婚紗街」的這家公司，供應婚紗給美國最大婚紗連鎖集團大衛新娘以及西班牙設計師品牌普羅諾維亞斯。新名企業創立至今已 25 年，但最近才開始在本地市場銷售。傳統上，新娘通常不會自購婚紗，但這種現象已開始轉變。新名企業的子公司喜上囍就提供了完美無瑕的樣品婚紗，價錢比多數租借的便宜；而林莉精品婚紗這類產業要角，現在也鼓勵顧客購買禮服。

地點
傳統婚宴通常是在戶外巷道搭棚子舉辦。折疊桌、塑膠板凳和大量的啤酒是標準配備，而且通常還有供致詞與現場表演的舞台。不過，時代在改變，現在許多年輕夫妻偏好在高檔飯店舉辦現代化的婚宴。這些場所漸漸開始提供全套式的婚宴規劃服務。

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