Brides Magazine

Mondo Times editors    Boulder Colorado USA

Posted at 8:14pm on Monday, June 15th, 2009

A new poll from Brides magazine and the Associated Press shows trends in the business of getting married, the magazine reported on June 15, 2009.

With the June wedding season in full bloom, Brides magazine recently partnered with The Associated Press to poll American wedding guests on whether or not the recession is impacting how much they spend to join in the festivities.

An overwhelming majority of wedding attendees are still giving gifts to brides and grooms; 90 percent of respondents who had attended a wedding recently gave a gift to the happy couple. According to the survey, the most popular price point for a wedding gift is $100 - 199 dollars, trailed by the more frugal range of $50 - 75 dollars.

Still, there seems to be a disconnect on whether or not giving gifts is obligatory. Most respondents (70%) thought that the bride and groom should not expect a gift from all their wedding guests. In contrast, nearly the same number (63%) also said they would feel obligated to send a gift, even if they weren't attending the wedding.

Generational differences play a part in whether or not a gift is deemed necessary. Older people are much more likely to say the couple should expect a gift than younger people (35% of those age 65 and older vs. 24% of those under 30). In addition, almost three quarters (72%) of seniors say they would feel obligated to send a gift even if they didn't attend the wedding, compared with just half (53%) of those under 30.

The poll also asked Americans what they liked and disliked about weddings. The ceremony was the clear favorite, with 60% saying they enjoyed watching the ceremony a lot followed by the music and dancing (56%) and the food at the reception (52%). That said, although music and dancing was a front-runner, just a third (30%) said they enjoyed traditional group dances such as the "Bunny Hop" and "Electric Slide." At the bottom of the list was the traditional receiving line (23%).

As far as reception food goes among all respondents, the luxurious option of champagne and caviar had few fans (15%). A middle of the road menu was the clear favorite, with the combination of wine and chicken breasts garnering 57 percent. Beer and pigs in a blanket came in second, with 20 percent of the vote, in great part due to the male contingency. Men were twice as likely as women to choose it as their preference.