1958 vs 2008

The AARP Bulletin for this month has a comparison of weddings, 50 years ago and today. So the article, "Something Old Something New", according to the author, Betsy Towner, had the following bits of information.


The Years: 1958 & 2008 (respectively)

The Big Picture:

Golden Anniversaries - Clementine & Winston Churchill / Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman

Annual Weddings: 1.5 million / 2.4 million

The Groom
Age: 22 / 28
Life Expectancy: 57 / 70
Tux Rental: $5.50 / $69.95

Annual Income: $2,396 / $34,167

Most Common Name: Robert / Michael

The Bride
Age: 20 / 26
Life Expectancy: 65 / 78
Gown: Princess lace, handmade by Belgian nuns $135 / Strapless and sexy $1,317
Annual Income: $1,572 / $30,719
Most Common Name: Mary / Jennifer
The Stereotype: Blushing Bride / Bridezilla

The Reception -

First Dance: "All I Have to Do is Dream" Everly Brothers / "No One" Alicia Keys

Party Song: "At the Hop" Danny and the Juniors / "4 Minutes" Madonna with Justin Timberlake

Trendy Gift: CorningWare Casserole $12.95 / Nintendo Wii $399
The Expense -Postage for Invitations: 3 - 4 cents / 42 cents
Marriage License (in North Dakota): $1 / $65
Piece of Cake per Guest: 35 cents / $4.52
The Escape -Honeymoon Destination: Niagara Falls / Hawaii
Likely Getaway Car: Chevy Impala convertible $2,700 / Toyota Camry $18,570
Honeymoon Cost: $237 / $3,680
Gallon of Gas: 30 cents / $3.80
The Future -Divorce Rate: 33% / 50%
Number of Children: 3.6 / 2.1