The business of saying, “I do.”

Today (Nov. 12) The Knot Wedding Network released a “comprehensive bridal registry study” that polled more than 12,000 brides-to-be and newlyweds to gain insight into “pocketbook and process” and “hearts and minds” of the wedding business.

Highlights from the study include:
• Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Macy’s lead the pack in bridal registries.

• Couples set up their registry 6 months before their wedding date, on average.

• 2 out of 3 grooms are involved in the registry process.

• 6 out of 10 couples say there was at least one other person who helped them with their registry choices; Mom was the most influential.

• 40% of couples say their guest list impacted where they chose to register.
What’s in the Registry

• To-be-weds register for 142 items, with price points ranging from $11 to $442.

• Kitchen and bed & bath items are the most popular registry categories.

• Nearly 40% of registry items are products a couple really wants but doesn’t necessarily need.

• Half of engaged couples claim there were items they wanted to add to their registry but didn’t because of price.

• 69% of a couple’s wedding gifts come from their registry.

• According to newlyweds, 11% of guests, on average, do not give a gift.

Other wedding business information — some reports require payment — is available here.

For perspective, Longevity.com reports that a total of $72 billion is spent on weddings annually in the U.S. About 2.4 million couples get married each year, or an average of 44,230 weddings per weekend. About $19 billion is spent buying presents at wedding gift registries.