Religious Ceremonies

May 22, 2013 at 5:00am

Fewer than half of weddings take place in a house of worship.

Will your ceremony take place in a house of worship? Why or why not?

SOURCE: BRIDES Magazine New American Wedding Survey

Friends First

May 21, 2013 at 5:00am

47

Percentage of couples who say they were friends before getting into a relationship and eventually marrying.

Were you and your fiance friends first? For how long?

Source: Headwater Holidays Study of 2,000 married couples

Her 2 Cents

May 20, 2013 at 5:00am

28 -

Number of engagement rings viewed before purchasing one, when the bride was involved in the process.

How many engagement rings did you look at before deciding on ‘the one’?

Source: CTW Features

Planning Secrets

May 19, 2013 at 5:00am

Despite the benefits of sharing secrets, just over a third (37%) of brides have considered sharing resources, and only 10% have actually shared resources.

Would you share your great wedding planning finds with other area brides? Why or why not?

SOURCE: David’s Bridal “What’s on Brides’ Minds”…

Time to love

May 18, 2013 at 5:00am

15 months -

Average length of an engagement.

How long will your engagement be? What do you think is an appropriate engagement length?

Source: The Wedding Report

Aim to travel during shoulder seasons (May to November) for better deals and avoid traveling over or near holidays because the price substantially increases. And if possible, go with all-inclusive deals to know the entire amount you’ll be spending before you depart.

Have you found any great…

[Keep It Simple] Budget

May 16, 2013 at 5:00am

Follow these estimates to get a budget started:

• RECEPTION – 50%
• MUSIC – 10%
• FLOWERS – 10%
• WEDDING ATTIRE – 10%
• PHOTO/VIDEO – 10%
• STATIONERY – 5%
• MISCELLANEOUS – 5%

The figures are estimates; adjust as necessary to fit your wedding’s style.

How will you…

It’s all in the Date

May 15, 2013 at 5:00am

12 -

Percentage of brides would consider planning their wedding on a special date such as 10-11-12 or 12-12-12.

When choosing your wedding date, did you have a specific date in mind? If so, which date and why?

SOURCE: David’s Bridal “What’s on Brides’ Minds” Survey

Money Talks

May 14, 2013 at 5:00am

77

Percentage of married couples that rate their communication about finances with as excellent or good.

How would you rate you and your fiance’s communication about finances?

Source: CTW Features

Wedding Traditions: Kiss

May 13, 2013 at 5:00am

The first kiss a bride and groom share at the close of the ceremony has carried special significance through the centuries. Many cultures believed that the couple exchanged spirits with their breath and part of their souls were exchanged as well.

Do you know any other reasons behind the tradition…

In Help We Trust

May 12, 2013 at 5:00am

The person brides trust most in helping plan their weddings:

Their significant other (56%)
followed by their mother (52%)
and their best friend (50%)

Who is your planning right hand man(or woman)?

SOURCE: David’s Bridal “What’s on Brides’ Minds” Survey

Brides on a Budget

May 11, 2013 at 5:00am

62 -

Percent of brides who are slashing their budgets, of which more than 37 percent say they’re cutting more than half of their original budget.

What steps are you taking to keep your wedding budget under control?

Copyright CTW Features

Wedding ring blues

May 10, 2013 at 11:13am

In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness.

Would you consider a ‘stone of a different color’ for your engagement/wedding rings?

Copyright CTW Features

Wedding Day Beauty Spending

May 09, 2013 at 4:59am

$120

Average amount brides spend on beauty/skin care products for their wedding day.

Will you change up your beauty routine for the big day, or stick with what works best?

Source: The Knot.com Beauty Study

True Believers

May 08, 2013 at 5:00am

86 -

Percentage of young adults, age 18 to 29, that expect their marriages to last a lifetime.

Do you think today’s couples are capable of staying married for their entire lives?

Clark University Poll of Emerging Adults

The Number

May 06, 2013 at 5:00am

$26,989

Average cost of a wedding in the U.S.

Does the cost of your wedding come close to the national average?

Source: Brides Magazine’s American Wedding Study

Cost-Conscious

May 05, 2013 at 5:00am

38 -

Percentage of couples that spend less than $10,000 on their wedding.

How much did you—or will you—spend on your wedding?

SOURCE: The Wedding Report

Wedding Nation

May 04, 2013 at 5:00am

138+ million

The number of weddings in the U.S. since 1945.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau/CDC/The Wedding Report

Bouquet Toss

May 03, 2013 at 5:00am

75

Percentage of brides who will toss their bouquet.

Will you follow tradition and toss your bouquet? Why or why not?

SOURCE: BRIDES Magazine New American Wedding Survey

State of the Union

May 02, 2013 at 5:00am

51 -

Percentage of adults 18 and older who are married, down from 72 percent in 1960

Why do you think the percentage has decreased?

SOURCE: Pew Research Center

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