Wedding season means big business

From the dress to the flowers, behind every detail in a wedding, there is a person providing that service. And as the traditional season for weddings fast approaches, these business owners say they are gearing up.

The Clothes

For many brides, wedding is synonymous with wedding dress. Dayna Harrington, owner of Elegant Repeats and Elegant Bridal in Cedar Rapids, said from January to April she opens the store from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays and schedules five employees for Saturdays, while other times of the year she is closed on Sundays and can get away with three employees in the store on Saturdays.

'It's a very profitable time of year, with prom and bridal combined,' she said.

Harrington said her dresses range from $350 to $1,200 on average.

As for the groom's attire, Jennifer Hebert, customer service manager of Prince Albert Tuxedo in Cedar Rapids, said between now and May she anticipates nearly 700 tuxedo rentals ranging anywhere from $69.95 to $185.95 in price.

Hebert said the challenge of the season is getting couples into the store in an age of online shopping. Once they are in, she and her staff aim to help undecided couples choose among a variety of colors and brands.

'Between my two stores, we got almost 30 years of tuxedo experience,' she said.

The Food

While a wedding dress may be the key symbol of wedding, a wedding cake is a close second.

Juli Hardin, owner of Jules Bakery in Marion, said weddings make up 35 percent to 40 percent of her business.

'Wedding season is my favorite time of year because I love making wedding cakes. I just love that,' Hardin said.

She said she's been planning since January for the summer wedding season, in which she may do up to five weddings a weekend.

She charges per serving size, but the average cake cost roughly $550.

Jeff Mumm, owner of Dostal Catering in Cedar Rapids, said catering weddings makes up 80 percent of his business. During the summer months his staffing grows from 15 employees to 50 employees.

So far he has booked 110 weddings for the year. But Mumm said he won't go above five weddings per weekend.

'My philosophy to our customers is I guarantee the quality of service and food we serve, so if I feel I cannot meet those standards I'll turn down the business. It's not about making money, its about offering that good service,' he said.

Mumm said customers can build their own package from the foods offered on the company's menu. Depending on the food selected, prices can range from $9.99 a person to $22 a person.

Printed Products

Two printed products bookend weddings — invitations to signify the event, and photos to preserve its memory. Both probably cost more than one at first would think.

Custom invitations from Zephyr Weddings in Coralville typically range from $500 to $3,000, depending on the invitation style and number of guests. Zephyr Weddings also makes custom seating charts, programs, and table placement cards.

Celeste Hutchinson, a graphic designer at Zephyr Weddings, said busy season starts in January, and to prepare for it the company updates its brochures, website, sample binders, and consultation folders with the most up-to-date styles and information.

Hutchinson said since they opened in 2007, business has increased by 10 percent every year.

'Already the numbers are showing that 2015 will be our biggest year ever,' she said.

Emily Crall, a wedding photographer based in Iowa City, said she plans to shoot 20 weddings this year. But the wedding season for her doesn't start in earnest until early May.

Right now, she said, 'It is a little bit the calm before the storm.'

Crall charges $3,800 for her one package, which includes an engagement session, wedding day coverage and a personal website for the couple where more than 400 photos will be published for them to select to print.

Printing costs anywhere from $2 to $25 per picture depending on size.

The Venue

For all the details that go into a wedding, it all culminates on the wedding day at a specified location, and Celebration Farm in Iowa City is just one of those potential venues.

Elizabeth Meyer, director of sales and marketing, said in recent weeks they have added 10 employees for this season, bringing them up to 35 total.

Celebration Farm has three facilities from which to choose — a double round barn, timber frame barn, and an outdoor amphitheater.

When it comes to preparing the venue for the big day, Meyer said they do 'pretty much anything we can' to help with the couples' visions for that day.

But nothing brings life and character to a venue quite like flowers.

Maja Hunt, manager of Every Bloomin' Thing in Iowa City, said wedding season plays an important role in keeping them busy throughout the summer months.

Couples typically spend $2,000 to $5,000 on flowers — but if they only buy personal flowers prices drop down to $300 to $500, she said.

'If we didn't have two weddings a weekend through the summer, we'd be standing around doing a lot of nothing,' she said.