Traditional/Formal.
Traditional, formal, religious weddings are the most common type of wedding in the United States. Many couples opt to marry in the church of their faith, as it is common for couples to share the same religion. Whether the couple is Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, or any other religion, it is common practice to get married in the church of that faith. However, many couples today do not share the same faith. These inter-faith couples can also have a traditional wedding ceremony. Religious officials have become increasingly cooperative with marrying couples that are not of the same faith.
It is common for traditional or formal weddings to follow certain norms. These common practices include designer dresses, groomsmen wearing tuxedos, elaborate invitations, beautiful flowers, limousine service, and fine dining and live music at a reception that follows the ceremony.
Destination.
Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Destination weddings, or "wedding aways" and "weddingmoons", allow the couple to completely design their wedding ceremony to fit the location. From beach weddings to weddings in Las Vegas or New York City, many Americans are choosing to marry at a location far from home. The options for destinations are limitless.
Examples of creative locations for wedding include nature parks, aquariums, baseball stadiums, golf courses, zoos, and theme parks. Receptions can also be held at creative, nontraditional locations such as on a boat, in a mansion or castle, historical monument, winery, or museum.
Destination weddings have several advantages. From getting to spend an extended time with family, to an easy transition to a honeymoon, destination weddings are very appealing. Additionally, while destination weddings can be very expensive, they are on average less expensive than weddings at home.
Military.
A couple whose bride and/or groom is enlisted in the Armed Forces may have a military wedding in which the bride and/or groom wears their uniform. A military wedding is considered a formal wedding and guests should dress formally. Oftentimes, the guests will also be in the armed forces and will wear their uniforms as well.
The ushers who are in the armed forces traditionally form an "arch of steel" with their swords or sabers. However, only active duty servicemen participate, as they can only carry their sword or saber if they are active duty. The arch is usually formed at the conclusion of the ceremony, and the head usher signals the formation by yelling "center face." After the bride and groom pass through the arch, the ushers return to their bridesmaids to exit with them. Civilian ushers may or may not stand at the arch, a decision usually made by the bride and groom.
Elopement.
To marry by elopement means that the wedding ceremony is done in secret, usually with just witnesses. Even though eloping seems simple, the marriage's secrecy can complicate family relationships.
Couples in the United States choose to elope for many varying reasons. 46% of couples eloping do so because of parental opposition to the marriage, 20% of couples elope to avoid attention, 12% because of financial reasons, 8% due to an unexpected pregnancy, and 14% for other reasons.
Cost of Living in United States.
Prices in United States.
(http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=United+States)
| Restaurants | mean | Range |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 10.00 $ | 8.00 15.00 |
| Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 45.00 $ | 30.00 60.00 |
| Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar | 6.00 $ | 5.50 7.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 3.00 $ | 2.50 4.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.50 $ | 3.50 5.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 3.50 $ | 3.00 4.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.50 $ | 1.25 2.00 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.25 $ | 1.00 1.50 |
| Markets | mean | |
| Milk (regular), 1 liter | 0.99 $ | 0.79 1.19 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.20 $ | 1.86 3.00 |
| Rice (1kg) | 2.09 $ | 2.09 3.31 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.00 $ | 1.70 2.79 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 8.91 $ | 6.61 13.21 |
| Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) | 6.61 $ | 5.05 9.37 |
| Apples (1kg) | 3.31 $ | 2.50 4.41 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.31 $ | 2.20 4.41 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.00 $ | 2.80 4.41 |
| Potato (1kg) | 2.20 $ | 1.50 3.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.50 $ | 1.00 2.00 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 1.75 $ | 1.25 2.00 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 12.00 $ | 9.75 15.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 2.00 $ | 1.50 3.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.00 $ | 2.03 4.10 |
| Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | 6.00 $ | 5.00 7.00 |
| Transportation | mean | |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.00 $ | 1.50 2.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 64.00 $ | 45.00 86.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 2.95 $ | 2.50 3.79 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.40 $ | 1.23 1.86 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 27.00 $ | 21.60 34.80 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 0.98 $ | 0.91 1.04 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 20,000.00 $ | 18,000.00 24,000.00 |
| Utilities (Monthly) | mean | |
| Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 175.97 $ | 125.00 250.00 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | 0.15 $ | 0.10 0.25 |
| Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 45.00 $ | 35.00 50.00 |
| Sports And Leisure | mean | |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 40.00 $ | 30.00 50.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 20.00 $ | 15.00 25.00 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 10.00 $ | 8.00 12.00 |
| Clothing And Shoes | mean | |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 40.00 $ | 30.00 50.00 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M,...) | 39.00 $ | 30.00 50.00 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Shoes | 75.00 $ | 60.00 90.00 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes | 80.00 $ | 60.00 100.00 |
| Rent Per Month | mean | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 900.00 $ | 650.00 1,350.00 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 700.00 $ | 550.00 950.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 1,500.00 $ | 1,100.00 2,400.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1,200.00 $ | 900.00 1,600.00 |
| Buy Apartment Price | mean | |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,614.59 $ | 1,076.39 2,690.98 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 1,119.45 $ | 807.29 1,829.86 |
| Salaries And Financing | mean | |
| Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) | 3,157.00 $ | 2,500.00 3,800.00 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentanges (%), Yearly | 4.50 | 4.00 5.00 |
(Last update: January, 2013)
| Milk (regular), 1 liter | 0.99 $ | 0.79 1.19 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.20 $ | 1.86 3.00 |
| Rice (1kg) | 2.09 $ | 2.09 3.31 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.00 $ | 1.70 2.79 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 8.91 $ | 6.61 13.21 |
| Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) | 6.61 $ | 5.05 9.37 |
| Apples (1kg) | 3.31 $ | 2.50 4.41 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.31 $ | 2.20 4.41 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.00 $ | 2.80 4.41 |
| Potato (1kg) | 2.20 $ | 1.50 3.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 1.50 $ | 1.00 2.00 |
(Last update: January, 2013)
