Average 2025 US Wedding Cost, Comprehensive Analysis and Budget Guide
A wedding is a significant milestone in life and one of the grandest celebrations for many. According to the latest Party City wedding cost study, the average wedding cost for US couples in 2024 reached $33,000, a 6.5% increase from the previous year.
This report is based on a survey of 5,000 newlywed couples across the US, analyzing current wedding market trends and cost distribution. Whether you are just starting to plan your wedding or are already in the midst of preparations, understanding these data can help you make wiser budget decisions.
Average Cost Distribution of US Weddings in 2024
Data Source: Party City 2024 Wedding Cost Survey, Sample Size 5,000 Couples
What is the Average Cost of a Wedding?
According to data from Zola, a wedding planning and registry website, the average wedding cost nationwide in 2024 was $33,000. However, the amount a couple pays for their wedding can vary greatly depending on the location of the event. States with higher average incomes, such as New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, typically also have higher wedding costs.
For example, Cassie Dresti, owner of Los Gatos DJ Company in Los Gatos, California, which produces events, found that local couples spend almost twice the national average. "I'm in the Bay Area, where there are many tech companies," Dresti said. "Weddings here usually cost around $50,000."
Average Wedding Costs by State
| State | Average Cost | State | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,321 | Montana | $18,958 |
| Alaska | $14,444 | Nebraska | $21,200 |
| Arizona | $26,096 | Nevada | $17,337 |
| Arkansas | $18,438 | New Hampshire | $35,474 |
| California | $36,068 | New Jersey | $45,486 |
| Colorado | $31,025 | New Mexico | $32,500 |
| Connecticut | $31,350 | New York | $45,422 |
| Delaware | $32,381 | North Carolina | $30,928 |
| Florida | $31,020 | North Dakota | $25,000 |
| Georgia | $30,127 | Ohio | $26,489 |
| Hawaii | $36,351 | Oklahoma | $21,094 |
| Idaho | $22,895 | Oregon | $25,474 |
| Illinois | $38,364 | Pennsylvania | $31,892 |
| Indiana | $23,737 | Rhode Island | $49,207 |
| Iowa | $17,770 | South Carolina | $35,846 |
| Kansas | $21,574 | South Dakota | $15,625 |
| Kentucky | $22,378 | Tennessee | $28,625 |
| Louisiana | $34,375 | Texas | $29,432 |
| Maine | $40,086 | Utah | $23,750 |
| Maryland | $37,121 | Vermont | $46,167 |
| Massachusetts | $41,579 | Virginia | $32,815 |
| Michigan | $28,983 | Washington | $47,917 |
| Minnesota | $25,926 | Washington State | $24,923 |
| Mississippi | $24,808 | West Virginia | $19,688 |
| Missouri | $24,731 | Wisconsin | $27,172 |
| Wyoming | $42,000 |
Wedding Cost Breakdown
Couples who hope to tighten their wedding budget without sacrificing what is important to them should consider starting with the typical cost breakdown of a wedding. Understanding which vendors are most likely to drain your budget can help you make smarter wedding choices.
Venue
The reception venue is usually the largest wedding expense. Zola found that couples who got married in 2023 spent nearly a quarter of their budget on the venue. For a total budget of $33,000, that's about $8,000. However, venue prices can vary greatly depending on the location.
Dresti explained that most venues in the Bay Area are very expensive. "Usually, couples spend around $25,000 on the venue," she said.
Catering
The second-largest wedding expense is often food and beverages. Zola found that couples typically spend about 18% of their wedding budget on catering. For the average wedding in 2024, that's about $6,000.
If your catering service also provides event rentals—think: tables, chairs, linens, silverware, glassware, etc.—because your venue does not offer these services, the cost of the catering service can be higher.
Photography/Videography
Having photos and videos that you can cherish forever may be very important to you. Zola indicates that couples tend to spend 12% of their total wedding budget (about $4,000 for the expected average wedding cost in 2024) on this item.
Capturing every moment of the special occasion may be worth the investment in the long run, but if your wedding costs start to become unmanageable, consider hiring a photographer for a few hours instead of the entire day, or skipping some of the extra services that a standard package might offer, such as prints or albums.
Entertainment
According to Zola, your reception entertainment may include a DJ or band, and for an average wedding, you can expect to spend about 9% of your budget, or about $3,000.
From there, the options for keeping the party going (think: photo booths, live painters, or interactive food and beverage servers) are endless, and so are the costs of these additional expenses.
Flowers
According to Zola, bouquets, centerpieces, and other floral decorations account for about 8% of the wedding budget. For a $33,000 wedding, that's $2,640.
Couples can control their floral costs by choosing in-season and locally grown flowers. The rarer the flower and the farther it has to travel to the wedding, the higher the cost.
Wedding Attire
Zola found that this expense typically accounts for 7% of the wedding budget, or about $2,310, which includes not only the dress and suits but also the shoes and accessories for each wedding participant.
However, if this is where you choose to borrow something, you can save a significant amount of money.
Wedding Planner
Zola data shows that, on average, couples who hire a wedding planner spend about 6% of their budget on an event coordinator. That's about $2,000 for an average $33,000 wedding.
While skipping a wedding planner might seem like an easy way to cut costs, Dresti suggests at least researching how a planner can be helpful. "Planning a wedding is like a second job," she said. "A coordinator who comes in the week before or even the day of the wedding can ensure that you can enjoy your wedding without having to manage the show yourself."
Hidden Costs in the Budget
Compared to the big-ticket items you'll be spending money on for your wedding day, invitations, cakes, officiants, and other smaller expenses may seem negligible—most of which are expected to account for 1% to 3% of your budget, or between $330 and $990—but they are important to consider in your early planning.
Wedding professionals also advise adding a buffer to your total budget for any additional expenses you might incur, such as extra flowers for decoration or gratuities for vendors. Setting aside about 10% more than you think you'll need should cover it.
Ways to Save on Wedding Costs
Here are some other potential cost-cutting factors to consider:
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Keep your guest list compact. The more people you invite, the more your personal wedding costs will increase.
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Ask friends to use their talents instead of wedding gifts. Perhaps they can create save-the-dates, bake a cake, take photos, or officiate the ceremony.
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Look for up-and-coming vendors—even students— who may offer their services for a fraction of what experienced professionals charge.
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Consider putting the money you've saved for your wedding into a high-interest account. Instead of an account with almost no interest. (Psst... Fidelity's Cash Management Account offers competitive rates). Depending on the amount you deposit, the length of time you deposit it, and the interest rate you earn, your money could earn hundreds of dollars in interest instead of just a few cents.
