January 2005

Fun Facts

The South Atlantic region of the United States accounts for the most marriages—more than 424,000—and includes the District of Columbia and the following states: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

The average age of a bride is 27; the average age for a groom is 29. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

Couples get engaged year-round, but 19 percent of engagements take place in December, making it the most popular month to pop the question. Only four percent of engagements occur in March, the least favorite month to get engaged. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

In 2002, the average engagement was 16 months, compared to 11 months in 1990. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

Forty-three percent of couples say they spent more on the wedding than they planned. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

The average cost of a wedding was $22,360 in 2002, compared to $15,208 in 1990. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

Who pays for a wedding? Most weddings—54 percent—are paid for by the bride’s parents or by the bride and groom. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

The engagement ring is the biggest wedding expense, coming in at an average cost of $3,576. The least amount of money is spent on the groom’s rented formal wear, which averages $110. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.

The average number of wedding guests is 168. Source: Fairchild Bridal Infobank.