What Does an Average Wedding Cost?

According to a survey by wedding planning site, The Knot, couples surveyed spent an average of $30,000 on their ceremony and reception in 2022.² It seems that 2022 was a record year for weddings, with 2.6 million couples reuniting with friends and family to say their vows.³

But just because this is the national average doesn’t mean that every wedding will cost that much. The national average is inherently skewed by regional outliers – the average wedding cost in New Jersey is about $51,000, while Utah averages around $16,000.⁴

In addition to location, seasonality, and guest list size, your own personal preferences and priorities can also impact the cost of a wedding a great deal.

At the end of the day, averages can be helpful. However, you’ll want to pay the most attention to your own needs and budget. After all, no one else knows what features are most meaningful to you, and which ones you may be able to forgo in favor of saving some cash. Only you and your significant other can make these decisions.

Here’s another way to avoid worry: When considering whether to use your credit card for a large wedding cost, you can find out in advance if your charge can be approved by using one of the tools for checking your spending power that some companies provide.

According to The Knot, Here’s a look at the average cost of wedding vendors for 2022:⁵

• Reception venue: $11,200
• Wedding photographer: $2,600
• Wedding planner: $1,900
• Live band: $3,900
• Reception DJ: $1,500
• Florist: $2,400
• Videographer: $2,100
• Wedding dress: $1,900
• Wedding cake: $510
• Catering: $75 per person
• Transportation: $980
• Favors: $440
• Rehearsal dinner: $2,400
• Wedding invitations: $510
• Hairstylist: $130
• Makeup artist: $120

Of course, your wedding cost breakdown may look very different, and will vary, depending on a number of factors, including how much money you and your significant other have to spend, the location and time of year, and of course, your top priorities. But this can give you a rough idea about costs. From there, you can estimate approximately where your costs should fall based on your wedding budget, and then adjust for which components you may want to splurge or scrimp on.

The average cost of the wedding reception venue alone averages $11,200. However, there are ways to save. If you’re flexible in terms of the date, holding your wedding during an off-peak month of the year can help to keep venue costs down.

Reception venue and food catering prices are sometimes quoted as an all-inclusive per-person price, though they are sometimes also broken down into various parts, such as catered food, venue and equipment rental, and bar and beverage. Catered food, the largest cost, can be variable depending on your food choices, and averages about $75 per plate.⁶ Buffets generally cost less than formal plated dinners, but not always.

Bar and beverage costs can also drive costs up. Some couples opt to personalize their weddings by adding champagne fountains, signature drinks, or top-shelf offerings. Still, there are ways to save on drinks. Some couples opt for “cash bars,” which can help to eliminate, or at least reduce this cost.

In the U.S., 88% of couples hire professional photographers, according to The Knot.⁷ Photography costs are increasing as many couples opt to expand their documented memories with “first look” sessions and next-day brunches. Wedding photography costs average about $2,600 and videography averages another $2,100.⁸

Band or DJ? It’s an ages-old wedding planning question with no right answer but significant cost implications. If you prefer the vibe of a DJ you’ll probably spend about $1,500 for the night.⁹ Popular add-ons include giveaways, dancers, and extra hours for after-parties. If you favor live music, the average cost is about $3,900.¹⁰ Band prices will typically increase with the number of musicians and performance hours.

In 2022, the average amount spent on wedding flowers was $2,400.¹¹ Florist costs are driven by a range of factors, including quantity, quality, and location. The number of table arrangements, bridesmaid bouquets, ceremony flowers, accessory arrangements – e.g. entryway, guest book, bathrooms, cocktail hour – can quickly multiply costs. Additionally, your choice of flower significantly affects prices due to seasonality, bloom size, and country of origin. Flexibility and a cooperative floral vendor are helpful in managing floral costs. Limiting the variety of blooms and choosing flowers that are in season can also help you to save.

For brides, the average price paid for a wedding gown is about $1,900 plus accessories.¹² Brides typically opt for in-person shopping, making an event of the day. However, you can save by buying online or selecting used dresses or family heirlooms. For grooms, this figure comes in a lot less, with the average groom spending $350 on a tuxedo.¹³

Wedding costs vary, depending on a range of different factors. Since the average number of wedding guests in the U.S. was 117 in 2022,¹⁴ and the average wedding cost cited above is $30,000, that works out to an average cost per guest of $256.41, or, $25,641 for 100 guests. Still, it’s important to keep in mind that these are just averages, and the cost of a wedding with 100 guests will vary considerably, depending on things like your location, the time of year, and of course, your personal preferences. Keeping the guest count low can help you to save, but only up to a certain point. That’s because some costs are fixed: like the photographer, flowers, and your attire. However, keeping the guest list lower can help you to save indirectly as well. For example, with fewer guests, you may be able to opt for a smaller venue, and perhaps fewer flowers since you’ll be working with less space.

According to The Knot, couples who invited up to 50 guests spent an average of $14,400 on their wedding. Meanwhile, 51 to 100 guests brought the average bill to approximately $24,600. Weddings with more than 100 guests totaled $38,100, on average.¹⁵

Where you get married is a major factor for wedding costs. Wedding cost averages tend to correlate with an area’s average household income. And of course, weddings cost more in larger cities.

According to Money, the most expensive and affordable states for a wedding are as follows:¹⁶

Most Expensive:

• New Jersey ($51,000)
• Massachusetts ($46,000)
• New York ($46,000)
• Rhode Island ($43,000)
• Vermont ($43,000)
• Washington, D.C. ($40,000)
• Connecticut ($39,000)
• Delaware ($39,000)
• Maryland ($39,000)
• California ($37,000)

Meanwhile, the most affordable states for a wedding are as follows:

• Utah ($16,000)
• Oklahoma ($16,000)
• Kansas ($16,000)
• Wyoming ($18,000)
• New Mexico ($18,000)
• Montana ($18,000)
• Oregon ($19,000)
• Iowa ($19,000)
• Idaho ($19,000)
• North Dakota and South Dakota ($20,000)

Weddings are a seasonal business, with highest demand – and cost – in May through October. October is the most popular wedding month in the U.S., followed closely by September. Most wedding vendors offer lower rates during off-peak months, like January or February. Saturday, the most popular day for weddings, has the highest price tag. Shifting to a Friday, Sunday, or coinciding with a popular holiday may help to reduce overall costs.