Average Cost of a U.S. Wedding

As average salaries have continually decreased over the past few years, the average cost of a wedding has continued to rise!  In 2007, weddings will cost an average of $28,800.  By 2012, that number will jump to $31,010.  While researching the price of a U.S. wedding, I found many variations across the country, but the trend to spend more on weddings was the same.  We'll see how much longer this trend persists, as more brides become inclined to do-it-themselves with the help of magazines, media, and websites.  We're now able to find instructions on how to make a centerpiece or bouquet, print invitations from home or order online, purchase a gently worn wedding gown, and replace a DJ with an iPod.    Nonetheless, here are some stats on the "average wedding" throughout America:

    Average cost of a US wedding: $28,800 (est. for 2007)   
    Average number of guests: 167
    Destination weddings: 11%
    Percentage of weddings paid for by brides' parents: 57%   

    Details:

    Engagement ring: $5570
    Photography/videography: $2570
    Band:  $3197
    DJ: $804   
    Rehearsal dinner: $1153
    Flowers:  $2048
    Wedding gown:  $1564
    Chapel or Site Fee: $435
    Officiant: $263
    Wedding Cake: $543
    Wedding Planner: $3262 (but only 17% of brides will use one)
    Hair and Makeup: $190
    Attendants Gifts: $605
    Bar/Bartender: $2938
    Honeymoon: $3825

The average age of brides and grooms has grown higher in the last decade, with today's newlyweds aged 27-29 years old.  This age group claims a yearly salary of $51,900 (that seems high?). 

About.com featured an article on Planning an Affordable Wedding.  They say to choose the most important, lasting costs and make the most of them.  Photography ranks highest among what lasts, so do your research on professional photographers, and spend a little more in this category.  When considering the $27,000 average wedding, they raise this idea:  One could cut back and spend only $13,000, putting the saved $14,000 in a savings account that yields 10% per year.  Forty years later, you'd be looking at $634,000 in the bank!  Would you trade a more expensive wedding for $634K in the long-run?

Overall, I recommend you have the wedding that you can afford, whether that be on your dime or someone else's.  Use common sense; don't go wildly into debt!  Make it special by adding unique touches that are personal to you as a couple.  That way, no matter how much you do (or don't) spend, you will still have tons of great memories that reflect your style and personality.  If necessary, choose 2-3 really important components that you want to spend money on.  Splurge on those things, and save on the things that don't matter as much to you.  Have fun with it, make it personal, and celebrate!    

Comments

[Tricia]

I want to know about this 10% savings acct too!

[Joe]

What type of savings account returns you 10% annually?????????? Please tell me where i can find such an investment

[karlene]

Very interesting. Reading this information is like reading InStyle and seeing a "must have" pair of jeans for $495 and wondering, who in the world "must have" a pair of jeans that expensive. I would love to do these weddings. I am a florist in the midwest, a "mainstreet" florist and I have a typical budget of $300-$500 for flowers (and we are talking about 5 or 6 bridesmaids, etc. etc. In fact, I have a wedding this weekend for a delightful, funky and artistic bride who said, she doesn't care what I do for her, it should be oranges and purples as long as it stays under her budget of $250. I believe, in the last 3 years, I have had only one wedding that is over $2000. funny, huh?

[Missy in DC]

This number is extremely underestimated. If you include an actual reception site rental cost and reception dinner cost, the amount greatly increases. Also, you should show some breakdown between big cities and average town USA. There also lies a huge difference. I've been looking for reception venues for 200 around the DC area, and it's impossible to get the site and food for less than around $30,000!!!, much less everything else...flowers, gown, photos, etc.

[Garrett and Joy]

I've been seeing that number in a lot of reports lately. Very interesting to see it broken down though. It's good sound advice that you give...not going overboard. While I'm always excited to photograph lavish weddings, I'm even more excited to photograph a couple who is truly and genuinely in love and realizes that their marriage really begins after the wedding, lavish or not.

How fun to see J Sandifer's post above. He is a photographer friend of ours from Maine. All around great guy!

[Anonymous]

They didn't include one of the biggest costs- reception/food! Otherwise, great blog :)

[J Sandfier]

Great blog! I really like your analogy of spending on what lasts...your photos :)