CWD WedBlog

According to The Wedding Report 2006, in Cook County alone, an estimated 34,970 weddings will take place this year at an average cost of $31,000. DuPage County adds another 5,160 weddings. Will County increases that number by an additional 2,240 weddings and Lake County adds 4,540 more. Stretching the "Chicagoland" area even further, we see another 2,860 in Kane County, 1,260 in McHenry, 2,080 in Lake County, Indiana and 970 in Kenosha County, Wisconsin?

Based on Cook County alone, 2006 wedding consumers "will spend an average...

• $2,130 on Wedding attire,


• $2,703.00 on their Wedding Ceremony,


• $1,277.00 on Wedding Favors & Gifts,


• $1,314.00 on Wedding Flowers,


• $2,012.00 on Wedding Jewelry,


• $1,066.00 on Wedding Music,


• $3,075.00 on Wedding Photography & Video,


• $15,838.00 on their Wedding Reception,


• $936.00 on Wedding Stationery, and


• $651.00 on Wedding Transportation."

The Wedding Report 2006 indicates that "77% of couples will use the Internet to help plan their wedding." That's more than 3/4 of all marrying couples! And here come the Echo Boomers, the technically savvy children of the Baby Boomer generation! And, according to Gourmet Retailer Magazine, this generation has "more money to spend than any previous generations at their age -- and this group is now approaching the 'marrying age' of 27 years old."

Echo Boomers are also changing the face of the long-practiced wedding registry. In a survey conducted by Gourmet Retailer Magazine, it was learned that 92% of couples registering for wedding gifts will register at a minimum of two stores, 58% at three or more stores, and 20% at four or more stores. And where will they register? Seventy percent will choose at "a specialty home store as a top registry location, followed by 62% who list a department store, and 53% who list a mass-market retailer. Online registry continues to play an important role in where couples choose to register -- 58% register online."

Are you an Echo Boomer? How do you compare with these trends? Where will you register for wedding gifts?