Are there statistics on weddings versus elopements?

Here is my thoughts on it...I had a big wedding, HATED IT!! I hated my dress, I hate purple and pink, I hated the flowers, I hated that their were 300 people staring at me but it was what was expected and my now husband of 15 years was to afraid to tell his mom we were not going to get married in a Catholic Church(not even catholic anymore). My mom so many times said, "Its not just about you ya know" I think elopements are awesome because...it is all about the bride and groom and them making a commitment to each other for the rest of their lives. I think it is romantic and your there to please one another only not your mothers, sisters, grandmothers etc. I also think you can combine a wedding and honeymoon together. We spent so much of our own money giving others the wedding they wanted us to have we had no money left for a honeymoon. I am happily married but still I regret not having the wedding I dreamed of as a child/teen and it was on a beach with just bride groom minister and photographer in a dress that was not a big frilly puffy wedding gown.

I don't have any stats for you, but I wish I could do the elopement thing. I really think all the pomp and circumstance is a big waste of money, yet it seems expected that I go through with the shabang! It's not easy being a bride.