passion 4 marriage

    * The average American engagement is 16 months.
    * During the engagement period, couples buy:
          o $4 billion in furniture
          o $3 billion in house wares
          o $400 million in tableware
    * June is the most popular month for weddings, then August, followed by September October and May
    * Every year an average of 2.4 million weddings are performed in the U.S.
    * The Wedding Industry is a 50 billion dollar a year industry
    * Average age for first-time brides is 25 years, for grooms it's 27.5
    * 175 guests are invited to an average wedding
    * One third of engaged couples retain a Wedding Consultant
    * An average honeymoon vacation is one week
    * The average household income of a newly married couple is $60,000/year
    * Couples are waiting longer to get married
    * Tuxedoes are typically purchased 5-6 months after the wedding gown
    * Median age for remarriage is 34 for women and 37 for men
    * Bridesmaids' gowns are general purchased 3-4 months in advance of the event
    * Average size of wedding party: 12
    * Most brides (30%) plan their weddings for 7 to 12 months
    * Most (about 75%) first-time brides will receive a diamond engagement ring (67% of repeat brides).
    * About 15% of weddings include ethnic customs
    * 35% of weddings occur in the summer; 29% in the spring; 23% in the fall; 13% in the winter.
    * 11% of winter weddings are Christmas weddings