How Much Does a Wedding Cost?
Between the engagement ring, reception venue and guest list, there’s no denying that the costs of getting hitched can add up quickly. But, just how much does a wedding cost, anyway?
The average wedding in 2023 ran approximately $35,000, according to data from The Knot. However, your wedding costs can end up being more or less, depending on the type of reception and ceremony that you choose.
To help you make sense of it all, we’ve provided a wedding budget breakdown by spending category and state, as well as some tips on how to finance these expenses. Look them over to get a better sense of where you can afford to spend and save on your big day.
Average wedding cost by state
According to a survey of 4,000 newlyweds by Zola, the average wedding cost varies greatly depending on which state you live in. The most expensive states tended to be densely populated and on the East Coast, including Rhode Island ($49,207) and the District of Columbia ($47,913). Meanwhile, the least expensive ones were less populated, like South Dakota ($15,625) and Alaska ($14,444).
Couples should remember that their proximity to a major metro area is also likely to play a role in the total cost of their wedding day. A wedding in a bustling city like San Francisco, for example, is likely to cost more than one in its outlying suburbs.
With that in mind, here’s a look at what couples spent on average in 2024, on a state-by-state basis:
How much does a wedding cost?
No matter where you have it, the cost of planning a wedding can add up quickly, depending on the choices that you and your partner make.
If you’re trying to stick to a budget for your wedding, it can be helpful to get a sense of what couples will spend, on average, for each aspect of their big day. Once you have that information, you might have a better sense of how you’d like to prioritize your funds.
To that end, here’s a breakdown of the national average for each wedding expense category, according to The Knot and WeddingWire.
| Goods or services | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Reception venue | $12,800 |
| Live band | $4,500 |
| Wedding planner | $3,000 |
| Photographer | $2,900 |
| Flowers | $2,800 |
| Wedding dress | $2,000 |
| DJ | $1,700 |
| Transportation | $750 |
| Photo booth | $551 |
| Wedding cake | $540 |
| Ceremony music | $500 |
| Wedding officiant | $300 |
| Tuxedo/suit | $330 |
| Hair/makeup | $290 |
| Catering | $85 (per person) |
Data based on a study by The Knot and WeddingWire
Venue
For some couples, the venue can make up around a third of their total wedding spending, at an average cost of $12,800. Pricing will depend on a variety of factors, such as whether the ceremony also takes place at the venue and whether in-house catering is included.
Music
The average couple pays $4,500 to hire a live band to play at their wedding, which can end up being one of the most expensive costs of a wedding. A DJ, on the other hand, could be a bit cheaper at $1,700. You may also have to hire someone to play music for your ceremony, which costs an average of $500.
Wedding planner
Wedding planners can take a load off your shoulders by taking on some of the responsibility of preparing for your wedding. A wedding planner can help you put together a budget, find deals and understand your vendor contracts. However, if you hire a wedding planner, it can add quite a bit to your bill — on average, an extra $3,000.
Flowers
Flowers for a wedding are no small cost, sitting at an average $2,800. The kind of decorations and flowers used, however, will have a strong influence on this cost, as will the venue space and guest list.
For example, if you’re opting for an empty rental space to save money on the venue, you may need to also account for the cost of purchasing more floral arrangements to fill the space. That could put you well over the national average.
Catering
Covering the cost of food and drink is another major wedding expense. Couples will spend an average of $85 per person if they opt to have a catered wedding instead of getting food through the venue. Regardless, the costs will vary based on the types of food you serve and whether the dinner is plated or buffet style.
But, don’t forget the wedding cake: It adds another $540, on average.
Wedding dress and tuxedo
Attire costs are impacted by how formal couples want their event to be. When it comes to getting dressed, tuxedos and suits are generally cheaper, with an average cost of $330. Wedding dresses, on the other hand, may cost you an average of $2,000.
If you also want to have any hair and makeup professionally done, it may generally cost you another $290 per person.
How to budget for your wedding
It’s possible to tailor your wedding to your preferences and priorities, which will give you the flexibility to splurge on wedding costs that are important to you and to be frugal elsewhere. You may, for example, choose to have a destination wedding with a small guest list or rent your wedding dress or tux instead of buying.
To help make your wedding more affordable, here are a few budgeting strategies you can implement:
Shop around for a cheaper venue
From banquet halls to castles, country clubs to mansions, there are many different options for a reception venue. Choosing a free location is a no-brainer if you have that option.
You may also want to consider looking for spots outside of metropolitan areas. Businesses in cities tend to have higher costs of rent. By exploring outside urban areas and focusing more on rural options, you may be able to save when it comes to renting a venue.
Find less expensive food options
Picking alternative options for reception dining can save big money on overall costs. Bar tabs can quickly add up, and catering can be expensive. Some cheaper alternatives can be to hire a local restaurant or food truck and serve substantial dishes instead of hors d’oeuvres.
Limit the hours the photographer is there
While hiring a photographer and videographer to stay for the entire day can be a fun way to memorialize your big day, this can end up being one of your most expensive costs. Instead, think about the pictures you’ll want to frame — the big moments like cutting the cake and exchanging vows — and let the photographer leave once those are taken.
Don’t be afraid to DIY
Do-it-yourself projects like decor and wedding invitations can also help save you a chunk of money on your wedding. However, keep in mind, this can eat away at your time instead.
Don’t be afraid to ask family and friends for help, especially if they have a special skill. For example, you may ask a close photographer friend to snap shots at your wedding. Just don’t sacrifice your wedding or your relationship if you aren’t sure the person can meet your expectations.
Pare down your guest list
Your guest list can impact not only how much you spend on catering but also the size (and thus the price) of your venue.
According to Zola, the average number of guests invited to a wedding is expected to be 145 in 2024, with 75% of those guests RSVPing that they will be in attendance. That makes for a final wedding guest list of 109 people. In addition, keeping the bridal party relatively small will also help cut down on costs.
How to fund your wedding
You might have your budget established, but that doesn’t mean you know where you’re going to get the funds to pay for all your wedding expenses. Consider the following options.
Savings
If you choose to use your savings to pay for your wedding, make sure you also save more along the way and see what family members want to contribute. This way, you can be prepared for any unexpected hiccups.
While using your own money to pay for your wedding instead of taking out a personal loan or credit card can help you avoid interest and fees, it may leave you in a more financially vulnerable position.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Avoid paying interest or other fees You’ll have a clear picture of much you can afford to spend | May leave you short on cash May not be able to afford unexpected or last minute costs |
Unsecured personal loan
A wedding loan — also known as a personal loan — is an unsecured loan that generally has a fixed interest rate and payment. Often, for those with good credit, personal loans offer better interest rates than credit cards.
However, in order to qualify for a personal loan, you’ll need to have a good credit score and credit history, so if your credit could use some polishing, this may not be the right route for you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Expand your budget since you can typically borrow $1,000 to $50,000 Don’t have to put down collateral May receive a lower interest rate than credit card | You may have to pay interest and fees May take several days to receive funds Eligibility and rates depend on your credit |
Credit card
Credit cards can be a straightforward way to supplement savings when dealing with both expected and unexpected wedding costs, particularly if you can acquire cards with low or 0% intro APR. Credit cards can be especially handy should you encounter unexpected costs.
However, if you’re not careful, you could easily acquire quite a bit of debt that may be difficult to pay off down the road. This is where planning out a budget ahead of time can come in handy and help you to avoid spending more than you need.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Borrow what you need on an as-needed basis May earn rewards depending on credit card Don’t need to put down collateral | May come with higher rates than personal loans Easy to rack up debt if you’re not careful Spending limit may not be as high as personal loan |
Methodology
We highlighted data from the 2023 Real Weddings Study by The Knot, which surveyed more than 10,000 couples. We also drew information from WeddingWire and Zola.