Marriage changes mirror society
Couples delaying marriage, living together first
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As we hear
from our readers and our advertisers, we see confirmation that our region
is following some important national trends.
First, Americans are waiting longer
to get married. From 1950 to the early 1970s, the median age of first marriage was 23 for men, and
gradually rose from 20 to 21 for women. But Census figures show those averages are now around 27
for men and over 25 for women.
As of 2003, 86 percent of men and 75 percent of women ages 20 through 24
had never been married. In their parents’ time, 1970, those figures were 55 percent for men and 36
percent for women.
In an unscientific snapshot, we looked at the couples who have registered
with Cape Fear Wedding. The average Cape Fear bride-to-be is just under 26 when she registers.
As of spring 2011, 75 percent were in their 20s, 18 percent in their 30s, 4 percent in their
40s and 50s and 3 percent in their teens.
For the men in our registry, the average age is 28, with 65 percent in their
20s, 28 percent in their 30s, 6 percent in their 40s, 1 percent in their teens and 1 percent in their
50s and 60s.
The most common age is 24 for brides and 26 for grooms.
The second trend is the number
of couples who are living together before they tie the knot. Of the couples who listed both bride’s
and groom’s address, 87 percent already share a home. In late 2006, a North Carolina judge overturned
the 200-year-old law that formerly outlawed such “cohabitation.”
Almost half -- 49 percent -- already own their homes. This has obvious
implications about what kinds of wedding gifts are suitable for couples who have already established
a household.
Regardless of how you fit into these trends, we hope you find this guide
useful as you plan your wedding.
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