Marriage rates decline for straight couples. It’s just too expensive to throw lavish parties for themselves!

According to recent data released from the Census Bureau, there are now more unmarried households than married in the U.S. The percentage of households that were married-couple families with children under 18 decreased from 23.5 percent in 2000 to 21.6 percent in 2006.

Writer Tina Dupuy describes the phenomenon as,

“So people who want to get married can’t, and people who can get married won’t. It’s like how rich people who have everything are thin, and poor people who have nothing are fat.”

Interesting analogies.

And she believes the low marriage rate among straight people is related to the cost of extravagant events heterosexuals traditionally have organized for themselves. Clearly, the bridal industry earns several thousands dollars based on fairy tale dreams burned into the minds of teenage females. Dupuy is sure to point out it’s called “the bridal industry” not “the groom industry”.

According to a survey done by the Fairchild Bridal Group, the average American wedding costs $30,000. On the other hand, the U.S. Census Bureau reports the median American household income is only $44,389.

Tina concludes, “A law recognizing same-sex spouses won’t destroy marriage. But grandiosity will.”