American weddings - is the cost coming down?

What do you suppose was the cost of the average American wedding in 2007? How does $28,732 grab you? According to the Wedding Report, a research firm that compiles these statistics, a drop is actually forecast for 2008. This does, after all, seem to be a recession so Americans are tightening our notoriously extended belts. It appears that we will actually spend $28 less this year! How will we survive?

$28,732. What could most young couples do with that much money? It's the down payment on a house. It's an invested cushion for financial security. Are average Americans really spending that much money for gowns and food and flowers? When did we become convinced that we're all aristocracy?