Average Wedding Costs: What Getting Hitched Really Costs in 2024 (2024)

If you’re planning to tie the knot, then power up your favorite budgeting app—because wedding costs have gone up.

Couples reported paying about $30,000 on average to get hitched last year, according to surveys of engaged and recently-wed couples. Costs rose from the previous year and are largely expected to rise again in 2024—all thanks to stubbornly high inflation. Most wedding vendors report increased operational costs and say they are increasing prices as a result.

“It’s leading to rising costs across the board,” says Jessica Bishop, author of “The Budget-Savvy Wedding Planner” and founder of wedding planning website The Budget Savvy Bride. “Supply chain disruptions have also led to higher costs in specific areas—including catering, flowers and wedding attire.”

A survey of 7,000 couples getting married in 2024 by wedding registry platform Zola indicates that more couples are budgeting between $30,000 and $50,000 for weddings compared with last year.

Seem high? With a median national household income of $75,000, it might be. Neither widely cited wedding cost survey—one from The Knot and this one from Zola—track income data for respondents, so results could skew toward higher-income couples and couples who plan elaborate weddings online.

It’s possible to spend a lot less (or a lot more). Some weddings will cost more than $100,000 (about 4% of those surveyed plan to spend this much), while other events could come together for less than $5,000 (about 3% of weddings this year). Nearly a third of couples also say they expect to use credit cards to help pay for it all.

Your exact costs depend on location, how many guests you invite and the overall scope of your event. Are you heading down the aisle soon? Here’s what you can expect to pay—and tips to save money where you can.

How much does an average wedding cost?

The average total cost of a wedding last year was $35,000, according to a survey of 9,300 The Knot and WeddingWire members who got married last year. And that was just nationwide. In some places, tying the knot is much more expensive. In New York City, you can expect to pay $63,000 to walk down the aisle, while in Chicago, it’s $56,000. In Orlando, however, couples pay a relatively modest $28,000 on average.

The largest share of wedding spend goes toward securing the venue and catering, according to The Knot, and then toward the photographer and flowers. If you opt for a live band, that will cost you, too.

“All combined, venue rental, catering, bar and rentals of chairs, tables and linens typically take up a little more than half of the overall wedding budget,” says Ellie Durbin, a wedding planner based in Memphis, Tenn.

Here’s a look at the national average costs of these and other common wedding services, according to The Knot:

Some substantial expenses incurred outside of the main event—such as the engagement ring, honeymoon and rehearsal dinner—aren’t included in The Knot’s total wedding average. If you’re wondering about the honeymoon, The Knot shows that most couples pay just over $5,000 for their post-wedding getaway. (Though if you’re savvy, you may be able to pay for it with credit card points.) Meanwhile, rehearsal dinners cost $2,750 on average.

How much does the average wedding venue cost?

The venue typically takes up the highest share of a wedding budget, averaging around $13,000. That’s more than a third of the total cost of most weddings. Still, planners say the cost is usually worth it.

“Your venue, photographer and planner are the holy trinity of wedding splurges,” says Jamie Wolfer, a popular wedding YouTuber and owner of wedding planning firm Wolfer & Co. “These are the backbone of your day. A stunning venue sets the scene, a fabulous photographer captures the memories you’ll drool over for years, and a planner is the fairy godparent you didn’t know you needed.”

How much does the average wedding catering cost?

The second-biggest cost for most couples is catering, with the average wedding notching a food and drink bill of about $10,000. The typical food and drink cost is $85 per guest (this doesn’t include the cake, though).

The food and bar are among the things guests will notice most, though, Durbin notes—along with your entertainment. “So if a couple is looking to treat their guests, I would start there,” Durbin says. “No one will remember the tablecloths, but guests will definitely talk about things like long lines at the bar or so-so co*cktail hour apps.”

How much does wedding entertainment cost?

Wedding entertainment will cost more if you opt for a live wedding band over a DJ. For a live wedding band, you’ll pay about $4,333 for the night’s entertainment, The Knot’s data says. A DJ, on the other hand, will cost just $1,700.

Why the difference? For one, bands typically have several members (and sometimes stage crews), meaning more people need to get paid. They also must cover the cost of equipment, travel, booking agents and more. A DJ is typically a much smaller-scale production. (They may even be a one-person show, needing only a laptop and themselves.)

How much does the average wedding photographer cost?

To capture your big day, you’ll need a photographer, videographer or both. The average wedding photographer will run you $2,900, while a videographer will run $2,100. (Though Zola’s survey shows you could pay up to $6,500 for each service alone, in some cases.)

Bishop says these costs are usually ones “worth splurging on,” though, as they provide the “main tangible takeaways and preserve your precious memories.” In short: They’ll let you relive your big—and possibly expensive—event for many years to come.

Couples tend to agree. Zola’s survey data shows that 55% of couples are willing to splurge on their photographer. (Open bar, venue and catering came in next.)

How much does the average wedding ring cost?

Engagement rings are another big-ticket item for most couples. The typical ring clocks in at about $5,500, and wedding bands, which you’ll typically exchange at the altar, usually cost an additional $500 and $1,000.

The price of these can vary widely depending on where you’re located, the size of any gems and the metal setting you choose. Platinum, for example, costs significantly more than gold, and naturally occurring diamonds are pricier than lab-grown diamonds (those actually cost about 50 to 70% less.) You will also want to consider paying for ring insurance.

Who pays for the wedding?

Fortunately, many couples aren’t footing the wedding bill wholly on their own. Knot data shows that in 2022, 51% of typical wedding costs were covered by the parents of the bride or groom, while 49% came from the couple themselves.

“The tradition of the bride’s family paying for the wedding is still around, but not everyone is following suit,” Wolfer says. “These days, it’s much more of a mixed bag.”

Just over a quarter of heterosexual couples pay for their wedding completely out of pocket, according to Zola. For LGBTQ+ couples, it’s 38%. Only 6% of LGBTQ+ couples see their wedding costs fully covered by parents or family members.

If you do get help from a family member in covering your wedding costs, make sure you’re all clear about expectations. When Wolfer got married, for instance, she and her husband opted to pay for the bulk of the costs on their own. This gave them more freedom to plan the event they wanted, she says.

“We did accept equal contributions from our families for certain parts of the event, but we were crystal clear that their generosity wasn’t going to influence the guest list or the location,” Wolfer says. “It’s all about setting those boundaries.”

How to reduce your wedding costs

Having a detailed wedding budget can help you manage the high costs of getting hitched, but there are many strategies for reducing your expenses, too.

For one, you can DIY some elements of your event. Doing your invitations yourself is one option, Bishop says. Find a template you like on Etsy, customize it with your wedding details, and then print, stuff and mail the invites on your own (or with the help of your wedding party).

Making small, budget-friendly swaps is another money-saving trick. Offer beer and wine instead of a full open bar or swap fresh-floral centerpieces for candles, small potted plants or even in-season fruits.

Wolfer also recommends a longer engagement if you’re worried about costs. “This gives you more time to save and hunt down deals,” she says.

Last but not least, planners say, reduce your guest count. “This is usually the most impactful way to make a wedding more affordable,” Durbin says. Not only does reducing your guest list help with catering costs ($85 per person on average) and add up quickly, but it can cut down on costs in virtually every area of your event as well. “The size of your guest list directly impacts nearly every other expense from your venue size, catering costs and wedding cake to the number of tables, chairs and invitations you’ll need to order,” Bishop says. “The fewer guests you invite, the farther your budget can stretch.”

Average wedding guest costs

Couples aren’t the only ones spending on weddings. Guests pay, too—and those costs are also rising.

The typical guest paid $580 to attend a wedding in 2023, a jump of $120 compared with just two years earlier, according to a survey from The Knot. For out-of-town guests and destination weddings, the cost was $680 (for those who could drive there) and $1,600 (for those who needed to fly).

Common costs faced by wedding guests included gas, air travel, hotel accommodations, child care, clothing and gifts. The average guest spends $150 on the wedding gift, though wedding party members and close friends of the couple tend to spend slightly more.

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