Having the privilege of speaking with so many different wedding professionals across industry categories, I hear so many of you talk about the ups and down of the current marketplace.  Without a doubt, our market is changing!  Brides are not necessarily putting stock into your quality of work or what your packages offer, they're looking at having to squeeze as many things into their weddings as possible.
 
Five to ten years ago, brides didn't have to worry as much about lighting her reception room, custom invitations, Chiavari chairs, gift baskets in hotel rooms, rehearsal dinners that marvel the reception itself, and even wedding planners, which were once seen as a luxury item for high end weddings.  Brides have more wedding desires and ideas than ever before.
 
Then, when you throw in the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) brides and vendors that are popping up and starting new businesses every day, the wedding industry's supply and demand levels are completely out of sync!  Prices are dropping because the supply of vendors is higher than ever while the number DIY brides is up.  This might be a problem for you if you're not skilled at adapting yourself to this changing market.
 
Thanks to Meredith, one of our market owners in Dallas, who sent a blog to me that puts this into prospective for you:
 
What every mass marketer needs to learn from Groucho Marx (Seth Godin's Blog)
Perhaps the most plaintive complaint I hear from organizations goes something like this, "We worked really hard to get very good at xyz. We're well regarded, we're talented and now, all the market cares about is price. How can we get large groups of people to value our craft and buy from us again?"

Apparently, the bulk of your market no longer wants to buy your top of the line furniture, lawn care services, accounting services, tailoring services, consulting... all they want is the cheapest. The masses don't want a better PC laptop. They just want the one with the right specs at the right price. It's not because people are selfish (though they are) or shortsighted (though they are). It's because in this market, right now, they're not listening. They've been seduced into believing that all options are the same, and they're only seeing price. In terms of educating the masses to differentiate yourself, the market is broken.

Fixing this is almost always a losing battle. Just because you're good at something doesn't mean the market cares any longer.

The Marx Brothers were great at vaudeville. Live comedy in a theatre. And then the market for vaudeville was killed by the movies. Groucho didn't complain about this or argue that people should respect the hard work he and his brothers had put in. No, they went into the movies.

Then the market for movies like the Marx Brothers were making dried up. Groucho didn't start trying to fix the market. Instead, he saw a new medium and went there. His TV work was among his best (and certainly most lucrative).

It's extremely difficult to repair the market.

It's a lot easier to find a market that will respect and pay for the work you can do. Technology companies have been running this race for years. Now, all of us must.  If Wal-Mart or some cultural shift has turned what you do into a commodity, don't argue. Find a new place before the competition does. It's not easy or fair, but it's true. You bet your life.
 
Seth makes a great point in his blog.  We have two choices in this market, we can find our place in the market or we can find our place out of the market.  It's difficult to fight reality and the more we try to blame the market or the brides, the more time and energy we are wasting.  Instead, use this time to find your way back into the market.  The best thing about weddings is that they are still taking place.  Brides are still spending money.  The question is, what are you doing to EARN her money?

Francis L. Sabino, 55, of Key West, Fla., formerly of New York City; Greensboro and Raleigh, N.C; and Monroeville, died of cancer Jan. 4, 2010. He was a son of Louis F. Sabino and the late Theresa M. Sabino.

Mr. Sabino was raised in Monroeville but moved to New York City to pursue a career in costume design. His career took him to Greensboro and Raleigh, N.C., where he worked in the men's clothing industry until his illness. He spent his final days in Key West with his family. In addition to his father, surviving are two brothers, Daniel and Kenneth Sabino.

Services and interment were private. The Dean-Lopez Funeral Home in Key West handled the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice VNA of the Florida Keys, 1319 William St., Key West, FL 33040.