·        According to a poll of brides and grooms taken by WeddingZone.net, the most important aspect of the wedding reception is MUSIC:

    46%  - Music & Entertainment
    25%  - Food
    14%  - Location & Venue
     6%  -  Photography & Videography
     5%  -  Flowers & Decorations

·        $19 billion is spent buying presents at wedding gift registries.

·        19% of all engagements occur in December.

·        The average engagement lasts 13 months.

·        The traditional wedding costs $22,000 with 200 guests.

·        The average second wedding costs $12,000, but the couples spend nearly double what first-time couples do on their honeymoons.

 
            ·      The average ring costs $2,000.

·        The average amount spent on a bridal gown is $800.

·        74% of all engaged couples receive a diamond engagement ring. 60% of people are not involved in selecting their engagement ring, while 3% actually choose it themselves.

·        The wedding ring has traditionally been worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed that a vein in this finger ran directly to the heart. The third finger of the left hand has become the customary wedding-ring finger for all English-speaking cultures.

·        62% of weddings have a flower person, while 56% have a ring bearer.

·        80% of couples plan formal or traditional weddings.

·        In 2000, the average engaged couple was between 24 and 28 years old.

·        Only 4% of couples asked for the parents' approval for their partners’ hand in marriage.

·        20% of wedding proposals are made on one knee.

·        6% of couples proposed over the phone.

·        Average Honeymoon cost is $3,500 for 7 Nights 

            ·        Top Honeymoon Destinations: 
                            Caribbean 31%
                            Hawaii 15%
                            Mexico 15% 

AVERAGE COSTS:

Another recent national survey of more than 21,000 couples married in 2009 reveals the average amount spent on weddings in the U.S. as $28,385 ( not including the honeymoon).  Here's the breakdown of averages expenses:

Reception Venue:  $12,838
Engagement Rin:  $5,847
Reception Band:  $3,288
Photographer:  $2,444
Florist/Decor:  $2,093
Wedding Planner:  $1,728
Videographer:  $1,481
Wedding Gown:  $1,234
Rehearsal Dinner:  $1,163
Reception DJ:  $892
Transportation:  $692
Wedding Cake:  $559
Invitations:  $509
Ceremony Musicians:  $451
Favors:  $292
Catering per person:  $63

Incidentally, New York City and Long Island have the highest wedding budget of about $56,000. Arkansas, Idaho and Utah have the lowest which averages about $15,500.

Sources: