However diverse this group, these brides did have two key things in common: a wedding date in 2011 and strong opinions on the $4 billion bridal fashion industry.

What follows are five key trends highlighted by this survey, along with insights into what they mean for your business.

1. Smart phones dominate. Members of the millennial generation (those aged 13 to 31, a.k.a your prom girls and brides) are twice as likely to have smart phones as the rest of the population – and they’re not afraid to use them.

“It’s literally an extension of their arm and a constant factor in their behavior,” says Kristyn Clement, senior director of insights for the Knot Market Intelligence. “And that kind of uber smart phone user is just going to increase.”

From accessing dress galleries and taking gown photos in the dressing room to scanning QR codes and actually buying stuff via mobile phone, millennials are seemingly doing everything via smartphone.

As such, the booming popularity of this mobile platform makes it crucial for retailers to figure out how to leverage this quickly evolving technology to help their business.

“You need to be where she is and she is on her mobile phone,” Clement says. “Because if you aren’t there, she’ll find someone who is.”

Bottom line: Make sure your Web site is mobile ready, pronto!

2. Gown spending remains important. Sustained economic stress hasn’t stopped brides from buying their dream dress.

“The bridal gown is one of the few things we’ve seen not fall in spending (during the recession),” Clement says. “Most other items have fallen at least nominally on average.”

The price isn’t soaring – rather, at $1,055 without alterations it’s remained relatively flat for a number of years.

Still, while budget-conscious brides have no problem cutting back in other areas – choosing a cheaper photography package, for example, or using an iPod and speakers instead of hiring a deejay – they remain dedicated to buying the gown they want.

“The fact we haven’t seen a drop in spending speaks to the gown’s importance,” Clement says.

Bottom line: While no business is recession-proof, you can take comfort in knowing that selling bridal gowns comes pretty darn close!

3. Brides are spending less time shopping. Every stage of the dress-search timeline is about one month less than it was a few years ago.

On average, brides begin researching their dresses 10.2 months before the wedding, visiting stores 8.7 months before and purchasing the dress 7.5 months before.

“We can’t say for sure why this is happening but part of it might be the fact it’s not just local retailers anymore (where brides are shopping),” Clement says. “They’re still very much the core of the gown-shopping experience, but you’ve had other players enter the picture, like David’s Bridal and manufacturer stores, catering to the budget bride that automatically tend to have shorter timelines.”

Bottom line: Now more than ever, it’s crucial to educate customers on the dress-shopping time frame.

4: Dress shopping is an event. Almost 9-in-10 brides say that family and friends are important in helping them select their dress.

The most common accompaniments: The bride’s mother (75%), girlfriend (48%), sister (36%), mother-in-law (18%), other family member (18%), sister-in-law (11%), grandmother (8%), father (6%) and fiancé (3%).

“This number has always been high but we have seen it increase,” Clement says. “Anecdotally we have heard a lot more about event focus and parties coming in for the gown-shopping experience.”

Perhaps this is because the Great Recession taught people to place a higher value on relationships. Or maybe it’s because millennials are so used to sharing everything with their peers via social media that including them in the gown-shopping experience is a natural extension of that trend.

Bottom line: The fact brides are looking for an experience is a major advantage for you. Break out the bubbly, play soothing music, offer in-store chair massages – anything to make customers feel pampered and happy.

5. Purchasing habits still favor independent retailers. A whooping 93% of brides buy their wedding gown from a brick-and-mortar store. Local bridal stores win 58% of this business, while chain bridal stores take home 33%.

Only seven percent of brides purchase their wedding gown online (not surprisingly, a majority – 60% – do so due to price/value).

“This number is up a couple percentage points, but it’s still small in absolute terms,” Clement says.

Bridesmaids’ numbers are slightly less favorable. While 73% buy dresses exclusively in a brick-and-mortar store, of that group, 47% opt for a national chain bridal store and 39% visit a local bridal boutique. Thirteen percent purchase their bridesmaids dresses online.

“It’s a convenience thing,” Clement says. “Bridesmaids can be scattered all over and that’s an easy way for them to all access the same dress. Budget is also a factor: Brides are conscious of what their bridesmaids can spend.”

As for a statistic that shows buying off the rack is most popular (49% vs 44% for custom/special order)? Don’t panic, Clement advises.

Keep in mind this number includes includes purchases from David’s Bridal and manufacturer stores, where off the rack is typically the only option. Much more telling is the statistic that reveals two out of three brides who purchase their gown at a local bridal salon go the custom/special order route.

Bottom line: Dress-shopping options abound but “we’re not seeing anything to suggest the iconic experience of shopping at an independent retailer changed that much,” Clement says. “You’re always going to have brides who want that experience.”

Style AN 144, a signature look from Coco Anais.

Anais Collezioni, the affordable couture bridal line established by bridal visionaries Kris and Montree in collaboration with their mother, internationally renowned St. Pucchi designer Rani Totman, is officially changing its name to Coco Anais.

Together, the creative team will continue to lead the design and strategic development of the company, staying true to it’s core values of integrity, customer service, and innovation.

“Anais Collezioni was created to celebrate the individuality of brides. Whether they desire a vintage affair, a lavish ballroom, a simple wedding by the sea, a contemporary chic setting, or simply to drive away on a motorbike, the collection features versatile gowns that are fashioned to mirror their own distinct style”, explains Rani.

Kris adds “Since the launch of our collection, brides, peers in the industry, media and bridal retailers have embraced Anais Collezioni, with our designs now widely available across the U.S. As we look towards introducing the brand globally this year, we have opted to change our name to Coco Anais to distinguish and strengthen our unique identity”.

“We are honored by the tremendous support we have received, and will continue to strive to provide a luxury wedding experience for the value conscious bride”, says Montree.

The change in name to Coco Anais will be effective immediately, with all advertising, PR and marketing initiatives over the course of the next 6 months identifying the brand as “Coco Anais, formerly Anais Collezioni” to underscore the transition in name.

Current customers are encouraged to update their contacts, websites, social media networks, marketing materials, online bookmarks and site links to reflect this change. Industry peers, and media partners including publications, blogs, online media and search engines are also encouraged to update content to reflect the change in name.

To view the current 2012 collection, please visit www.cocoanais.com

Gowns wholesale for $395 – $995. For bridal retailer inquiries, please contact Coco Anais at 214.227.2563, or info@cocoanais.com

Each office will maintain regional support to their customer base with the added benefits of a unified global brand.  The goal is to combine the strengths of each office to define a consistent company lifestyle that will reflect in the customer service, marketing, product development, and overall goals.

Enzoani, Inc. is determined to become a driving force in the industry while building a recognized fashion and lifestyle brand around the world.  Innovative ideas will be produced by the Enzoani Global Marketing Team in order to effectively enhance Enzoani brand exposure and customer satisfaction.  Enzoani Inc. is currently working to further expand by opening additional offices worldwide and will soon announce the highly anticipated launch of the Enzoani UK office.

Each account executive in each region will now exclusively offer the complete Enzoani Inc. product line:

Enzoani
Blue by Enzoani
Modeca by Enzoani
Love by Enzoani
Love16 by Enzoani

2013 will also be the launch of a new competitively priced bridal collection, which will further expand and enhance the existing Enzoani Inc. product line.  The collection will launch June 8th at the 2012 Enzoani Fashion Event in Newport Beach, CA – USA.

For additional information about Enzoani Inc. and the products that are offered call 1-866-ENZOANI.

Essense of Australia concentrates on the back of this gown, which deserves just as much attention to detail as the front!  A unique back is the perfect surprise element for any gown.  Whether completely open or with lace detail a gorgeous back can’t be beat! www.essensedesigns.com

Examples:  387, D1264, 5618

Chantilly, from Sottero Midgley, offers chic sophistication is on display in this feminine A-line with corded lace bodice, deep V-neckline and high back collar paired with a slim pick up skirt of Soft Shimmer Satin. Featuring Swarovski crystals with button/loop over zipper closure. www.sotteroandmidgley.com

Coco Anais style AN 148: Alencon lace and taffeta strapless sweetheart gown with drop waist sheer corset bodice and trumpet lace skirt, a Spring 2012 addition to the St. Pucchi division.

To view the current 2012 collection visit www.cocoanais.com

From Eden Bridals, style BL011 has been accented asymmetrically at the low hip with luxe chiffon flowers. The full A-line skirt features layers of organza and tulle flowing through the back to the chapel-length train. Available in white or ivory. www.edenbridals.com.

This season Mia Solano features convertible dresses that give the bride the traditional formal look for the ceremony and then transforms to a party dress for the reception. Shown here style M1204L.

The launch includes a new 2012 catalog featuring all of the collection plus some of the “best of” carryovers from previous seasons.

For more information or to view the new collection, visit www.MiaSolano.com

Aariana style 9101 is an elegant ball gown of Satin Organza with tufted skirt and chapel train has exposed tulle underskirt highlighted with cascading flowers. Removable spaghetti straps are included. Available with a zipper or lace-up back. www.jordanfashions.com