(2/21/2006)

Bridal Spending Has Increased 100% Over Last 15 Years

American Wedding Study 2006' Reveals Average Wedding Now Tops $27,000

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey entitled "American Wedding Study 2006," conducted by The Conde Nast Bridal Group, reveals that the average amount spent on weddings has increased to $27,852, up nearly 100% since 1990 when the average cost was $15, 208. Over the last 15 years there has been a 400% increase in the number of destination weddings; the number of weddings per year has increased by 200,000 since 2000.

The Conde Nast Bridal Group, publishers of Brides, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride, conducted the survey through the Global Strategy Group with 1,619 brides. The study, which was released today, found that in 2006, 2.3 million Americans will get married. There will be: 44,230 weddings every weekend, 23 million bridesmaids and groomsmen, and almost 380 million wedding guests.

In 2006, only 30% of all brides' parents will pay for the entire wedding as was once customary, a remarkable 8% drop since 1999. Instead, 32% of brides and grooms will pay for their wedding themselves, and 15% of couples will foot the bill with the help of both sets of parents. In sync with increasing costs, up to 36% of couples end up spending more than they had planned on their big day.

"This authoritative survey shows that the wedding industry is not only vital but is in fact thriving," says Daniel Lagani, vice president and publisher of The Conde Nast Bridal Group. "Couples are entering this 'Wedding Lifecycle' from the engagement to the reception right up to the honeymoon in ever growing numbers flush with happiness and optimism," Lagani says.

The growing popularity of the destination wedding has changed the face of the American wedding. About 16% of all couples have a destination wedding -- a 400% increase in the last 10 years. Couples who have destination weddings spend an average of $25,806 with 63 guests attending and have an average household income of $93,000.

The average altar-bound woman is now 27 years old, her fiance is 29, they have an estimated household income of $74,000, will be engaged for a period of 14 months, and their wedding will have 165 guests. The winter holidays still dominate as the time of year to get engaged, particularly December. In fact, December has as many engagements (15%) as November and January combined (each 6%). Since 2002 nearly every wedding expense has increased by over 20%. This includes the bride's and groom's attire (up 30%), engagement rings (up 25%) and a 60% increase in the cost of the wedding bands.

Despite cost increases and a significant delay in taking the plunge, expect "The Echo Boom," children of the Baby Boomers who make up 71 million men and women to emerge. "They are the next big generation to move into the 'engagement zone,' as the oldest in the group will reach the marriage age of 27 in 2006," Lagani says. This generation believes in upholding long-held wedding traditions with 99% of brides saying they were proposed to (only 1% did the proposing,) 81% planning to take their husband's name after marriage, and only 3% expect to sign a prenuptial agreement.

Here are the top growth categories in wedding details that have accelerated the most since 1999: