Study: Weddings cost $33,931 in the United States

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

 

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