[originaltext]　　Each year, more than two million weddings take place in the Uni

　　Each year, more than two million weddings take place in the United States. More than seventy billion dollars is spent on those weddings. And that does not include honeymoon travel for the newly weds. Some people have big weddings and invite everyone they know. Some have small, simple weddings and invite only their closest friends and family members. And some elope. They get married first and tell people later.
　　(16) Spending on weddings has reportedly dropped about ten percent in recent years because of the economic recession. Still, the average cost of a wedding is more than twenty thousand dollars.
　　However, people can find many ways to save money on their weddings. (17) For example, they invite fewer people. Or they buy flowers from a local farmer’s market instead of a professional flower shop. The bride may buy a used gown rather than pay thousands of dollars for a new one. Traditionally the bride’s parents pay for the wedding. But Americans now get married at an older age than they once did. So working couples might pay for some or all of the wedding themselves. Or the two families share the costs. Many parents of brides think this is a wonderful idea. Many couples plan their weddings themselves. (18) But some hire a wedding planner to organize everything for them. The planner helps the bride find a wedding dress as well as dresses for her bridesmaids. The planner helps find a place for the reception after the ceremony. And the planner organizes all the details for the celebration, from the flowers to the food to the entertainment. Finally, during the ceremony and reception, the planner makes sure that everything takes place as planned.
　　16. Why has spending on weddings dropped in recent years in the United States?
　　17. Which one of the following can help people save money on weddings?
　　18. What’s the purpose of hiring a wedding planner?