How Much Does the Average Wedding Cost?

To begin building your wedding budget, consider what type of event you and your partner want to hold: a DIY backyard bash, a hip outdoor affair with food trucks, an all-out formal extravaganza? There are so many choices, and each one has a price tag.

Learning what other couples spent on their weddings might help you start budgeting for yours. While many factors may influence the cost of your big day, the following insights into typical wedding expenses may guide your decision-making and help you plan your perfect celebration.

What is the average cost of a wedding?

According to a study by wedding planning company The Knot, the average wedding cost was $35,000 in 2023.¹ That figure includes the ceremony and the reception, but not the engagement rings, honeymoon or bachelor/bachelorette parties.

If $35,000 seems to fall outside of your price range, don’t panic. You may spend far less than average and still enjoy a beautiful, memorable day. In fact, according to a USA Today survey of recent newlyweds, over half of Americans spent under $10,000 on their weddings between 2021 and 2024—well below the national average.²

A thoughtful budget is key, no matter how much you’re willing to spend on that special day.

How has the average cost of weddings changed over time?

Wedding costs tend to go up and down as the economy changes. Future wedding costs may be difficult to predict, but it never hurts to start saving and budgeting early.

In 2019, the average wedding cost about $28,000. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the average cost down to $19,000, as people opted for small weddings or even virtual ceremonies to minimize the spread of illness.

But in 2021, as more in-person weddings resumed, the cost returned to $28,000 before increasing to $30,000 in 2022 and, finally, $35,000 in 2023.³

Does the average wedding cost vary by state?

Your location may have a significant impact on your wedding costs. Couples in more affordable regions of the country like the rural South and Midwest tend to spend less on their weddings than those in the Northeast, especially near expensive major cities.

According to a survey by The Knot, the most expensive states to get married in 2023 were New Jersey ($51,000 on average), Massachusetts ($46,000 on average) and New York ($46,000 on average). On the other end of the spectrum, couples getting married in Utah, Oklahoma and Kansas spent the least (all $16,000 on average).⁴

What factors go into the average cost of a wedding?

From flowers to photos to food, a lot of elements shape a wedding—and a wedding budget. Researching common wedding expenses may help you determine which features you need to bring your wedding vision to life and which ones you can skip.

The Knot proposes that spouses-to-be use the following budget breakdown in the planning process. These figures are based on average vendor costs across the country.⁵

You might notice that these budget items add up to more than 100%. That’s because few weddings include all these features, especially at their full prices. To make your wedding day more affordable, you might consider cutting elements that don’t resonate with you. By eliminating costs in one budget area, you may be able to spend more on what matters most to you.⁵

• Venue: 37%
• Food: 28%
• Music (live band and DJ): 17%
• Photographer: 8%
• Wedding/event planner: 6%
• Florist: 8%
• Videographer: 7%
• Wedding attire (for both partners): 7%
• Alcohol: 8%
• Wedding rings: 8%
• Lighting and decorations: 5%
• Transportation (like a shuttle for guests or a limo for the wedding party): 3%
• Hair and makeup (for the couple and potentially the wedding party): 3%
• Cake: 2%
• Stationery (including invitations, save-the-dates, thank-you cards, menus, and more): 2%
• Favors: 1%
• Officiant: 1%
• Other: 15%5

How to get married for less than the average wedding cost

Cutting down your wedding costs doesn’t have to mean compromising on your vision. On the contrary, you may be able to save money by making thoughtful choices that highlight you and your future spouse’s story and personalities.

Choose your wedding venue carefully

For many couples, a wedding venue takes up the most significant portion of the overall budget—not without good reason. After all, your wedding’s location typically shapes the experience for you and your guests. However, you may be able to choose a venue that shines without spending a fortune. Opting for an intimate backyard ceremony or a fun celebration in a brewery instead of a lavish country club or hotel could save you a significant amount, for example.⁶

Celebrate in the off-season

The most popular “wedding season” typically lasts from May to October. Dates in higher demand tend to be more expensive. To save money, consider a wedding in early spring—or even wintertime.

Off-season weddings can be stunning. Imagine a romantic winter wonderland in January or saying “I do” alongside the first flowers of spring in late March. Having your wedding during a quieter season may also be easier on your guests, as travel costs are lower and people likely have fewer weddings to attend.

Focus only on the most important elements

Your wedding is your special day—it doesn’t have to feature elements that don’t add value to you and your partner. Don’t feel pressured to include all the latest wedding trends or add details you don’t enjoy just to please your guests. For example, if you don’t drink, you could save money by choosing not to have alcohol at the reception. Likewise, if you and your partner are music experts, you may want to curate a playlist and rent high-quality speakers instead of hiring a DJ or a band. You may put the money you save toward wedding elements that are more important to you, like your venue or flowers. Or you could save money to invest in a purchase for the life you’re building with your spouse, like a home or car.

Get creative

Instead of removing some aspects of the wedding altogether, you may want to brainstorm creative, money-saving approaches to them. If you’re crafty, for example, you may be able to make your own decorations or favors. Or maybe you have a skilled cosmetologist in the family who could help with the wedding party’s hair or makeup on the big day. Personal elements like these may save you money and make the day feel more special.

Covering your wedding costs

Even after budgeting and saving, it’s not always easy to tackle wedding costs. Covering many expenses over a short timeframe may overwhelm you—or your wallet. Fortunately, you have options to make the costs more manageable.

Personal Loans

A personal loan could cover a major wedding expense, like the venue, or splurge on something special, like live music for your first dance. Loans with fixed interest rates and monthly payments, like a wedding loan from OneMain, may make it easier to plan and budget for you and your spouse’s future together.

Credit cards

It’s often useful to have a credit card on hand throughout the wedding planning process for unexpected expenses like last-minute alterations. While a credit card may have higher interest rates or less predictable monthly payments than personal loans, they offer a lot of flexibility.

Gifts from family and friends

Some couples receive help from their families to cover wedding expenses, though that isn’t always the norm. Whether your families offer to pitch in or not, you may include the option to give cash part of your wedding registry. Loved ones often want to help grow your new family’s bright future.

A wedding to remember, on any budget

While planning and budgeting may be stressful, try not to let it distract you from enjoying your special day. No matter how much you spend, your wedding is an opportunity to celebrate the next chapter in your life with all the people you love most.

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Source

1. https://www.theknot.com/content/average-wedding-cost
   
2. https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/personal-loans/average-wedding-cost
   
3. https://www.theknot.com/content/average-wedding-cost
   
4. https://money.com/average-wedding-costs-map-by-state/
   
5. https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-budget-ways-to-save-money
   
6. https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-of-wedding-venue
   

This article was updated since its original posting in 2022. Andrea Hoyt and Kim Gallagher contributed to this post.