Are you one of the 61 million Americans attending at least one wedding this year (besides your own)? New research from American Express reveals that wedding guests expect to pay $339 in general and $377 if they’re in the bridal party (down from $490 and $539 in 2011, respectively). This includes not just the gift, but also travel arrangements, clothing, pre-wedding celebrations and childcare.

"Saying 'I do,' isn’t just an investment for those getting married, guests have to consider their costs as well," said Claire Bennett, the EVP of Loyalty & Membership Benefits at American Express. "From the suit to the suite to the sitter, the expenses for attending a wedding add up and we’re seeing consumers cutting back a bit this year to manage the cost." 

In addition to the national average, the survey of 1,500 participants determined how guests decide what amount to give as a wedding gift. Almost half of respondents said that their relationship to the couple was the most important factor: On average, they spent $166 on relatives, $105 for close friends and $56 for coworkers.

Marriage not only strengthens the bond between two people, but promises a lifelong commitment–only growing more cherished with each passing anniversary. Well, here's a wedding ring that depict that journey!

This precious ring, created by Torafu Architects, is dressed in a silver coat, which protects the prize inside–an 18-carat gold ring. 

Guest blogger: Rosanna Casper, co-founder of Idojour.com, a new wedding website where brides, grooms, family and friends can purchase a stylish and affordable mix of beautifully curated pieces. Designed to make wedding planning all the more inspiring and enjoyable, Idojour offers accessories and apparel for your wedding weekend, complemented by both inspirational and practical content. Rosanna oversees content, among many other things, and makes sure that everything comes together beautifully on the site.

Here, Rosanna shares the top trends she's seeing right now.

Each week, we feature wedding music recommendations from Scratch Weddings, the nation's leader with the best wedding DJs at affordable prices. This week's post comes from DJ Buck City, an international DJ phenom who has opened for artists like Kid Cudi, Redman, Citizen Cope and the Whigs. He brings a broad range of musical expertise to every wedding that he spins. "It's important to understand the couple's musical taste, key songs, dance style, and background. This will give me a better understanding of what I need to do to make everyone happy.” 

Photo Credit: Becky Brown Photography

Indie music is characterized by its incorporation of new sounds, cutting edge style, and independence from commercial music (Indie = Independent). You may listen to some Indie music already and not even know it. Groups such as Foster The People and Arcade Fire have earned top spots on the Billboard charts, and have even earned Grammy nominations, making this genre really stand out and shine.