Average Cost of a Wedding: How Much Are Couples Spending?

Weddings are exciting and fun occasions, but they're also expensive. In 2023, the cost of a wedding in the United States averaged $30,119, just 3% higher than the previous year. Based on available wedding data, the most expensive items couples paid for were the venue, catering services, engagement ring and wedding planner.

MoneyGeek analyzed statistics from The Wedding Report to provide an overview of average costs for wedding services in the U.S. However, weddings are personal affairs, and costs can vary greatly depending on what services the couple decides to include and how many people are attending.

In 2023, the average wedding spend nationwide exceeded $30,000, while the median was around $18,525. More than two million weddings were held that year, but the volume still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic numbers. However, total spending across the country for this special day has progressively increased, reaching nearly $62 million in 2023.

Source: The Wedding Report

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of weddings decreased by 17% due to the pandemic but has since rebounded, going up 19% the following year. The number of weddings increased by 4% in 2022 and decreased by less than 1% for the calendar year 2023.

Though subject to change, estimates project that the wedding industry will see $69 billion in spending by 2026. The average wedding cost is expected to reach $34,500 that year.

When it comes to wedding costs, the more guests you have, the more you'll need to spend. Weddings with fewer than 25 guests typically cost an average of $12,258, while those with more than 300 guests see an average cost of $112,163 — a nearly $100,000 difference. Nationally, the average wedding has 134 guests, translating to a cost of roughly $29,000.

Source: The Wedding Report

The cost of a wedding varies dramatically depending on the location. In Massachusetts, the most expensive state, the average cost reaches almost $40,000, followed by Hawaii ($39,528) and California ($38,816). Though not a state, the District of Columbia has the highest average wedding costs at nearly $45,000. Overall, the median costs in these states don’t exceed $25,500.

At the other end of the spectrum, the most affordable states for weddings are West Virginia ($16,862), Mississippi ($17,269) and Arkansas ($17,482). The median costs in each of these states are below $11,000.

Source: The Wedding Report

Select Show more below to see averages and medians for every state.

Of the top 10 states with the highest proportion of destination weddings, couples spent the least, on average, in West Virginia ($16,862), where 81% of weddings were destination weddings. Arkansas and Alabama follow, both with an average wedding spend below $20,000. In Arkansas, 73% of weddings were destination weddings, while in Alabama, 70% were. Vermont, the state with the highest percentage of destination weddings, has the second-highest average spend of the group at $26,230.

If you're planning to tie the knot, you should first understand the financial implications of having a wedding. So much goes on behind the scenes leading up to the big day, and even after the wedding day, you and your partner will have to manage your finances as a married couple.

MoneyGeek evaluated the various contributors to wedding expenses by category and item or service. The most expensive items, on average, are the venue location ($5,761), catering ($5,391), engagement ring ($4,025), wedding planner ($3,277) and bar service ($2,785). Additionally, catering for both food and alcohol costs couples an average of $61 per guest.

See the average (and median) costs by category and item below. Click the + to view all items within the category.

Source: The Wedding Report

On average, couples who utilize wedding services spend over $20,000 on the venue, wedding planner or coordinator, catering and/or bar services. The ceremony officiant and beauty costs are the least expensive categories, averaging less than $300 for those who elect to use these services.

Note: all average costs are the average amount spent by a couple that elected to include the items or services in their wedding; these averages do not include couples who spent $0 on the items or services.

Source: The Wedding Report

There are many costs associated with weddings, both for the ceremony and the preparation. The MoneyGeek FAQ section may provide answers that help ease any wedding anxiety.

MoneyGeek included insights from industry leaders and subject matter experts to provide a broader perspective on the average cost of weddings. Their insights and advice can provide vital information beyond the numbers.

A wedding can be costly, and there are several factors to consider that ensure you and your partner remain financially healthy. MoneyGeek shares several online resources to provide more information on how couples can better manage their finances.

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