Few wedding traditions are completely unique to the United States. Most came mostly from European cultures, evolving from religious or social observances. However, the extravagance of modern American wedding culture is unparalleled except perhaps by foreign royalty. Approximately five million American couples marry annually, a $50 to $72 billion industry.
 

• American women plan their wedding for years, helped by numerous publications specifically targeting brides. Shows featuring dream weddings or depicting brides going to extremes for that perfect dress, shoes or honeymoon fill the airwaves. Reality shows, such as The Bachelor, are completely based around finding love and winning the perfect wedding.
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Prestige of weddings no longer centers on who one is marrying, but on how big a spectacle the wedding will be. Some brides go to great lengths to have their wedding announcement printed in a renowned paper like the New York Times. To do so, the wedding must cause a sensation. American weddings now fall more in the category of entertainment than either a tradition or a religious rite.

Industries

• The level of ostentation American weddings reach funds the $50 billion dollar wedding industry. The average wedding involves over 43 businesses. Such entities as the Bridal Association of America, the Association for Wedding Professionals or The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists enables couples to reach new heights of extravagance each year. Industry professionals attend conferences and marketing seminars on catering, cakes, consulting, attire, floral arrangements, photography, gifts, music and honeymoon destinations, for starters.

 

Average Costs

• While many greatly exceed it, the average cost of a wedding is between $20,000 and $25,000. Industry sources estimate costs at:
  Engagement ring: $3,000 to $8,000
  Wedding rings: $1,100 to $5,000
  Announcements and invitations: $400
  Rehearsal dinner: $800
  Bride's gown and accessories: $1000 to $5000
  Bridesmaids' attire: $900
  Groom's attire: $200
  Groomsmen's attire: $600
  Flowers: $850
  Photography & Video: $2,500
  Limousines: $450
  Clergy/Chapel: $250
  Reception: $8,000
  Music: $750 - 2,500
  Honeymoon: $3,000 to $10,000
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More Extravagance

• Prominent among young career couples, the destination-wedding concept offers an indulgent option. Couples ask their friends and families to travel across country or internationally to attend their wedding. In many cases, the couple pays for guests' to travel.
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Top destinations include the Bahamas (5,000 weddings per year), Hawaii (25,000), Jamaica (5,000), the U.S. Virgin Islands (4,000) and wedding capital Las Vegas (100,000). Typically, invitations include 150 guests. Guests to Disney World's Wedding Pavilion may ride in Cinderella's coach for $2,500 or have Mickey and Minnie Mouse attend the reception for $1,000 per half hour.

 

Other Expenses

• Wedding expenditures extend beyond the bride and groom. In America guests are expected give gifts. Over 90 percent of couples register for gifts, and the average expectation is over 200 gifts. $19 billion is spent each year through wedding gift registries and most guests spend between $70 and $100 per gift.
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Mortgaging the Future

• Loans and credit cards often fund the extravagance. Studies on divorce show that arguments about debt and financial stress are cited over a third of the time.