50 years - what has changed?

I just received "Dialogue" the bi-monthly magazine issued by the Association of Bridal Consultants (in which I am a member of). Inside, there is an article comparing weddings from 50 years ago with today. Here are some of the statistics:

1958 Wedding

2008 Wedding (Mike Sidney Photography)

NUMBER OF WEDDINGS:
1958 - 1.5 million
2008 - 2.4 million

ANNUAL BRIDE'S INCOME:
1958 - $1,572
2008 - $30,719

GOWN COST:
1958 - $135
2008 - $1,317

BRIDE'S LIFE EXPECTANCY:
1958 - 65
2008 - 78

BRIDE'S AGE:
1958 - 20
2008 - 26

ANNUAL GROOM'S INCOME:
1958 - $2,396
2008 - $34,167

TUXEDO RENTAL:
1958 - $5.50
2008 - $69.95

GROOM'S LIFE EXPECTANCY:
1958 - 57
2008 - 70

GROOM'S AGE:
1958 - 22
2008 - 28

POSTAGE:
1958 - $0.03
2008 - $0.42

SLICE OF CAKE:
1958 - $0.35
2008 - $4.52

GALLON OF GAS:
1958 - $0.30
2008 - $3.80

HONEYMOON COST:
1958 - $237
2008 - $3.680

PROJECTED DIVORCE RATE:
1958 - 33%
2008 - 50%

PROJECTED NUMBER OF CHILDREN:
1958 - 3.6
2008 - 2.1

In addition to the statistics, there were some other interesting notes:

• In 1958, Winston and Clementine CHurchill celebrated their 50th anniversary; in 2008, it was Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
• The most popular 1958 honeymoon destination was Niagara Falls; 50 years later, it is Hawai`i
• IN 1958, the couple was likely to get away in a Chevy Impala convertible, costing $2,700; this year, it is a Toyota Camry, costing $18,570
• The most trendy gift in 1958 was a $12.95 Corning Ware casserole; the 2008 gift of choice is a $399 Nintendo Wii game console
• FIfty years ago, the hottest music was the Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and Danny and the Juniors' "At the Hop". This year, it's Alicia Key's' "No One" and Madonna/Justin Timberlake's "4 Minutes"
  

Pretty interesting, huh?