The average cost of a U.S. wedding rose 1.6% to $33,931 in 2018 from a year earlier, according to wedding site The Knot.
Average number of guests: 136
Average Marrying Age: Women, 29.1; Men, 30.5
Most Popular Month to Get Engaged: December (16%)
Average Engagement Length: 13.6 months
Most Popular Month to Get Married: September (18%)
Top 5 Popular Wedding Colors: Ivory/Champagne (33%), Dark Blue & Burgundy/Wine (tie at 29%), Gold (27%) and Light Pink (23%)
Percentage of Destination Weddings: 23%
Top 25 Most Expensive Places to Get Married in 2018
1. NY – Manhattan $96,910 (up from $76,944 in 2017)
2. NY – Long Island $66,409 (up from $61,113)
3. IL – Chicago $60,294 (up from $52,322)
4. Rhode Island $59,201 (up from $52,777)
5. MA – Cape Cod $58,425 (up from $55,083)
6. NJ – North/Central $58,107
7. NY – Westchester/Hudson Valley $57,678
8. NY – NYC Outer Boroughs $56,967
9. NJ – South $47,148
10. Philadelphia/Delaware $46,640
11. CA – Santa Barbara/Ventura $45,991
12. MA – Boston $44,557
13. Connecticut $42,853
14. CA – Los Angeles $42,638
15. Southern Florida $42,596
16. CA – San Francisco/Bay Area $41,341
17. New Orleans $40,753
18. Washington DC/Northern VA/Suburban MD $39,801
19. CA – Palm Springs/Desert Communities $39,504
20. Baltimore $39,167
21. CA – Orange County/Inland Empire $37,760
22. Hawaii $37,338
23. IL – Chicago Suburbs $36,25
24. South Carolina $35,942
25. Houston/East Texas $35,334
Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Get Married
1. Idaho $16,366
2. West Virginia $17,997
3. Wyoming $19,395
4. South Dakota $19,515
5. Alaska $19,887
6. Arkansas $20,223
7. Utah $20,391
8. West Texas $20,541
9. Lansing, Michigan $20,861
10. Oklahoma $20,935
2018 Average Wedding Budget Breakdown
Figures based on respondents who hired a professional vendor for the service.
| Category | 2018 National Average Spend | 2018 High-Spender Spend (Wedding Spend $60K+) |
| Overall Wedding (with ring, excluding honeymoon) | $33,931 | $104,109 |
| Venue (reception hall) | $15,439
25% Spent $20,000+ |
$42,354 |
| Photographer | $2,679
34% Spent $3,000+ |
$5,123 |
| Wedding/Event Planner | $2,002
17% Spent $2,500+ |
$3,671 |
| Reception Band | $4,247
29% Spent $5,000+ |
$7,089 |
| Reception DJ | $1,292
27% Spent $1,500+ |
$2,373 |
| Florist/Décor | $2,411
34% Spent $2,500+ |
$5,936 |
| Videographer | $2,021
26% Spent $2,500+ |
$3,289 |
| Wedding Dress | $1,631
15% spent $2,000+ |
$2,991 |
| Wedding Dress Accessories | $250
25% spent $300+ |
$520 |
| Groom’s Attire & Accessories | $283
21% spent $300+ |
$430 |
| Bridesmaids Dresses (each) | $142
36% spent $150+ |
$197 |
| Groomsmen Attire (each) | $187
22% Spent $200+ |
$230 |
| Wedding Cake | $528
17% spent $750+ |
$993 |
| Ceremony Site | $2,382
36% spent $3,000+ |
$3,006 |
| Ceremony Musicians | $797
22% Spent $1,000+ |
$1,168 |
| Invitations | $386
28% Spent $400+ |
$1,038 |
| Transportation | $856
25% Spent $1,000+ |
$1,405 |
| Favors | $245
21% Spent $300+ |
$443 |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $1,297
23% Spent $1,500+ |
$3,305 |
| Engagement Ring | $5,680
28% Spent $6,000+ |
$13,619 |
| Catering (price per person) | $70
21% Spent $100+ |
$157 |
| Officiant | $286
27% Spent $300+ |
$491 |
| Wedding Spend per Guest | $258
24% Spent $300+ |
$576 |
| Photo Booth | $325
44% Spent $400+ |
$419 |
| Morning-After Brunch | $565
18% Spent $750+ |
$1,515 |
| Makeup Artist (bride) | $102
23% Spent $126+ |
$137 |
| Makeup – Bridal Party (each) | $82
16% Spent $100+ |
$99 |
| Hairstylist (bride) | $123
25% Spent $176+ |
$165 |
| Hairstylist – Bridal Party (each) | $79
16% Spent $100+ |
$105 |
| Wedding Bands (brides) | $1,078
11% Spent $2,000+ |
$1,983 |
| Wedding Bands (grooms) | $584
28% Spent $600+ |
$1,017 |
Source: The Knot 2018 Real Weddings Study