Gen-xers quicker to Marry than Gen Y's

GEN-XERS QUICKER TO MARRY THAN GEN YS

One in five Generation Xers getting married were proposed to within 12 months, compared to one in 11 of their Generation Y counterparts, according to a new engagement survey.

In an online survey of 310 respondents by astrology gift report website, It's In The Stars at www.itsinthestarsonline.com, 21.4% of women aged 31-43 (Generation X) dated for a year or less before they became engaged, compared to only 8.4% of those aged 18-30 (Generation Y). Of those Gen Ys who are currently engaged, two-thirds (64.5%) dated for 2 years or more before they were proposed to, compared to only 45.6% of Gen Xers.

"Part of the reason is that Gen-Ys haven't been dating as long as Gen-Xers," said Elizabeth Ball, director of It's In The Stars.

"By the time the right guy comes along, Gen X recognises him very quickly. Also, Gen Xers really want to settle down: 17.4% of them have been engaged twice compared to only 1.2% of Gen Ys."

But engaged Gen-Ys intend to have many more pre-wedding social occasions than Generation X.

The twentysomethings outnumber the thirtysomethings in organising a bridal shower (84.2% vs 65.3%), hen's and buck's night (54.9% vs 45.8%), and engagement party (53.2% vs 45.9%). Only Generation Xers outnumber their younger counterparts in organising the relatively cheaper kitchen teas (12.2% vs 5.8%) and family dinners (7.1% vs 0.5%).

"Perhaps this number of events is one reason that Generation Y ranked finances as slightly more important than Generation X (33.3% vs 27.1%) in planning their wedding. Overall, though, weddings seem to be immune from the economy, with finances voted as only fourth in importance," said Elizabeth.

When asked to rate what factors were important in determining their wedding dates, nearly six in ten (59.3%) nominated getting their favourite wedding reception venue. Next most important was particular guests being able to attend (43.5%), securing holiday leave from work (40.5%), having sufficient finances to pay for the wedding (29.2%), selecting a good astrological date (10.1%) and being pregnant (2.4%).

Over two-thirds (64.0%) will register their gift list with a department store, while almost half that will select homewares/hardware (36.4%), an online wedding registry (29.9%), online money wishing well (8.4%) or specialist wedding registry with showroom (4.5%). One in seven (14.1%) will not register for gifts at all.

"Four in ten (40.2%) will request gift certificates as part of their wedding gift list to give them freedom to choose what they want," Elizabeth said.

It's In The Stars at www.itsinthestarsonline.com has produced hundreds of beautifully presented LoveStars and BabyStars reports for anniversaries, birthdays, christenings, engagements, new babies, Valentines Day and weddings since 2005.