The multicultural population in the UK now stands at over 7.5 million, particularly in London areas such as Tower Hamlets and Newham which are booming in popularity. It therefore comes as no surprise that this area of growth is proving big business for a number of niche market operators; particularly those offering services in the wedding industry.
The number of multicultural weddings taking place in the UK is on the rise, alongside the money being spent on these ceremonies. The Asian wedding market is worth £12 billion a year, which is more than twice as much as the traditional UK’s £5.5 billion, and this is a figure that is growing by 25 per cent each year. As we become ever more multifaceted as a nation, the wedding industry is one market that has recognised the economic opportunity within this growing trend.
Abi Laditan from Brides of Culture, a multicultural bridal exhibition which is taking place on 13th September 2014 in London’s Canary Wharf, explains: “I got engaged to my now husband, who like me is of Nigerian heritage in October of 2008. As a genuine lover of weddings and planning events, I happily took my time to organise my big day. In the planning of this ‘extravaganza’, I realised the lack of resources for other brides-to-be from similar cultures.
“Brides of Culture aspires to be the largest multicultural focused Bridal Exhibition in the UK, providing information on services, products and vendors for members of the ethnic minority community on all aspects of planning a wedding. There are currently many resources available to those planning a wedding in the UK, but very few for those planning one with a cultural twist, and this is where we are proving to be invaluable to support issues that are common in ethnic minority weddings, but may not be so common in western ones.
“Living in the UK gives you the perfect opportunity to mix two, or sometimes more, very different cultures in what is likely to be the most important day of their lives. Our aim is to help merge the combination of cultures successfully, and act as an avenue for likeminded people and those of similar backgrounds to discuss and share thoughts, and most importantly, educate those who are unfamiliar, with ideas and experiences throughout the wedding journey, from becoming engaged to even after the wedding day.”
Founded in 2009, Brides of Culture (BoC) aspires to be the largest multicultural focused Bridal Exhibition in the UK. BoC is also an interactive e-channel providing information on services, products and vendors for members of the ethnic minority community on all aspects of planning a wedding.
According to the last census (2001), with a total of 1,148,738, the largest ethnic minorities in Britain are those categorised as Black or Black British, with the next largest being Indians (1,053,411). Overall, ethnic minority groups represent just under 6 per cent of the population of Great Britain, with over 235,000 weddings occurring each year.
BoC is available for any bride-to-be who lives and is planning to get married in the UK, providing them with any help we can to make their day a special one. There are currently many resources available to those planning a wedding in the UK, but very few for those planning one with a cultural twist. This is the area where BoC is invaluable in providing solutions to regular issues and problems that are common in ethnic minority weddings, but may not be so common in western ones.
Being a person of an ethnic background, having grown up or are currently living in the UK gives the perfect opportunity to mix two or sometimes more, very different cultures in what is likely to be the most important day of their lives. BoC is here to help merge the combination of cultures successfully and act as an avenue for like minded people and those of similar backgrounds to discuss and share thoughts, and most importantly, educate those who are unfamiliar, with ideas and experiences throughout the wedding journey, from becoming engaged to even after the wedding day.