Weddings could be a growth industry for the Waitaki district, say local people working in the catering industry.
Restaurateur Sally-Ann Donnelly's businesses had hosted and catered for 17 weddings this year so far, up from 10 in the same period last year.
Ms Donnelly said a ‘‘huge'' driver of the increase was couples from outside the district.
‘‘We've had an influx of weddings.
‘‘We've had some weddings where there are no locals, which has got to be good for the town.''
Feedback from out-of-towners on what they had experienced was positive, she said.
‘‘[They're] blown away by what's here. Completely blown away.''
Oamaru was beginning to make its mark and it helped that it could deliver a package of ‘‘amazing'' scenery and Victorian buildings, and had businesses able to support everything a wedding would need, she said.
‘‘If everyone stays price-competitive, [weddings] will become an industry for Oamaru.''
Photographer Rachel Wybrow said Oamaru was on its way to becoming a destination wedding spot.
Mrs Wybrow said that since she started her business about four years ago, client numbers had doubled each year.
‘‘It's a full-time job for me and it's hard to keep up with demand. I have to send people away.''
Celebrant Helen Webster said weddings were like any other activity that generated money for the district's economy.
‘‘Anything that brings people to town - it just has that multiplying factor.''
Simon Berry, chairman of the economic development group Venture Waitaki, said there were monetary spin-offs for businesses that supported weddings, such as accommodation and hospitality.
Mr Berry said his organisation would do what it could to help the wedding industry grow in the district.
-By Shannon Gillies
