Hilton Launches Wedding Resource

Wedding Trends for 2009 Impact the Way Couples Plan Their Big Day

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. July 01, 2009

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, June 30, 2009 - The wedding season is in full swing and couples planning their big day are being impacted by new trends. To help couples navigate the stressful wedding planning process, Hilton Family of Hotels has launched "Guestiquette", a practical, information-packed online wedding resource to provide guidance on wedding guest etiquette topics and even help brides and grooms book and manage their hotel accommodations.

The site, which is already attracting hundreds of couples, seeking to have the best wedding ever, covers topics such as:

• How to Speak "Guestiquette" - Answers to common, often tricky, guest etiquette questions that challenge many couples while planning their wedding.

• "Making Guests Feel Welcome" - Simple ways to show guests you're excited they'll be present on your big day, including tips from real brides on what should go into your welcome letter and basket.

"Online wedding planning is a growing trend at Hilton," said Jeremiah Allen, director of eSales. "We've seen an increase of 211 percent in brides who plan, book and manage their wedding room block online through Hilton's group booking tool, e-Events. Tech-savvy brides and grooms are planning, booking and managing their wedding blocks online with real-time inventory across the Hilton Family of Hotels, with 24/7 booking access. After a couple books their wedding block online, they actually receive a call from the hotel representative, who offers additional assistance and support."

A burgeoning demand from brides for more online wedding group bookings and creative and helpful guest web sites; smaller weddings with fewer guests, more off-peak weddings - mornings, afternoons, Fridays and Sundays; and the month of October emerging as the new June are just a few of the trends affecting the wedding industry in 2009, according to The Wedding Report, a well known national data source.

The Wedding Report points out that the number of couples getting married is likely to remain steady overall at about 2.2 million in 2009. If the economy begins to recover, there may be a slight increase. However, if there is more economic turmoil the number of weddings will decline in 2009 as couples wait for the economy to recover. Spending will follow the same trend, except that overall spending will be down 10 percent over 2008, which is already seeing a decline of 20-30 percent. In 2009, it is estimated the average wedding cost to be between $21,000 and $25,000.

The Wedding Report adds that with the economy driving the planning process, more than ever, the name of the game for brides and grooms also will include simplified decorations, centerpieces and wedding invitations as well as online RSVPs.

About the Hilton Family Online Group Booking Tool

Currently, the Online Group Booking Tool is available at all North American Hilton Family of Hotels, including Hilton, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton, and The Waldorf Astoria Collection, and will soon be extending its online planning and booking tools to Hilton Family hotels in the U.K. Online group booking is available only at participating locations and is subject to availability at participating hotels. Other terms and conditions apply. Please visit www.hiltonfamilyeevents.com for full details.