The average wedding costs $35,000 in 2026, but actual costs range from $10,000 to $100,000+ depending on location, guest count, and choices. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Average Wedding Cost Overview
Metric
Amount
US average (2026)
$35,000
Median wedding cost
$28,000
Average guest count
130 guests
Cost per guest
$250-$300
Wedding Cost by State
State
Average Cost
vs. National Average
New York
$48,000
+37%
New Jersey
$47,000
+34%
California
$45,000
+29%
Massachusetts
$44,000
+26%
Connecticut
$42,000
+20%
Hawaii
$40,000
+14%
Illinois
$38,000
+9%
Florida
$36,000
+3%
US Average
$35,000
—
Texas
$33,000
-6%
Pennsylvania
$32,000
-9%
Georgia
$31,000
-11%
Colorado
$30,000
-14%
North Carolina
$28,000
-20%
Arizona
$27,000
-23%
Ohio
$26,000
-26%
Michigan
$25,000
-29%
Tennessee
$24,000
-31%
Arkansas
$20,000
-43%
Utah
$18,000
-49%
Metro areas cost significantly more than rural locations within each state.
Wedding Budget Breakdown
Category
% of Budget
$ Amount ($35K)
Venue + Catering
40-50%
$14,000-$17,500
Photography/Video
10-12%
$3,500-$4,200
Music/Entertainment
8-10%
$2,800-$3,500
Flowers/Decor
8-10%
$2,800-$3,500
Wedding attire
5-8%
$1,750-$2,800
Wedding planner
5-8%
$1,750-$2,800
Invitations/Paper
2-3%
$700-$1,050
Officiant
1-2%
$350-$700
Transportation
2-3%
$700-$1,050
Hair/Makeup
2-3%
$700-$1,050
Gifts/Favors
2-3%
$700-$1,050
Miscellaneous
5%
$1,750
Venue and Catering Costs
The biggest expense — typically half your budget:
Venue Type
Average Cost
Hotel ballroom
$15,000-$30,000
Banquet hall
$8,000-$15,000
Country club
$12,000-$25,000
Barn/rustic venue
$5,000-$15,000
Restaurant
$5,000-$12,000
Outdoor/park
$2,000-$8,000
Backyard
$3,000-$10,000
Catering Cost Per Person
Service Level
Per Person
Buffet
$50-$100
Plated dinner
$75-$150
Family-style
$65-$125
Food stations
$70-$130
High-end
$150-$300+
Don’t forget: alcohol can add $30-$100 per person.
Photography and Videography
Service
Average Cost
Photography only
$2,500-$5,000
Videography only
$1,500-$3,500
Photo + Video package
$4,000-$8,000
Premium photographer
$5,000-$10,000+
Flowers and Decor
Item
Average Cost
Bridal bouquet
$150-$400
Bridesmaid bouquets (each)
$75-$150
Boutonnieres (each)
$15-$35
Ceremony flowers
$500-$2,000
Reception centerpieces
$1,200-$3,000
Total florals
$2,000-$5,000
Wedding Attire
Item
Average Cost
Wedding dress
$1,500-$3,000
Alterations
$200-$600
Veil/accessories
$150-$500
Shoes
$100-$300
Suit/tuxedo
$300-$1,000
Total attire
$2,250-$5,400
Music and Entertainment
Option
Average Cost
Live band
$3,000-$10,000
DJ
$1,000-$2,500
Ceremony musicians
$300-$1,000
Photo booth
$500-$1,500
Other Common Costs
Item
Cost Range
Wedding rings
$2,000-$8,000
Marriage license
$30-$100
Officiant
$300-$800
Wedding cake
$500-$1,200
Hair and makeup
$300-$700
Wedding planner
$2,000-$5,000
Day-of coordinator
$1,000-$2,500
Invitations
$400-$1,000
Transportation
$500-$1,500
Hotel room blocks
$0-$500
Tips and gratuities
$500-$2,000
How Guest Count Affects Cost
Guests
Estimated Total Cost
50
$15,000-$20,000
100
$25,000-$35,000
150
$35,000-$50,000
200
$45,000-$65,000
250+
$55,000-$80,000+
Each additional guest adds $150-$300 in venue, catering, and favor costs.
Budget Wedding Options
Ways to reduce costs significantly:
Strategy
Potential Savings
Friday/Sunday wedding
20-30% on venue
Off-season (Nov-Mar)
15-25% overall
Brunch/lunch reception
30-40% on catering
Limit guest list
$200-$300 per guest
DIY flowers
$1,000-$3,000
Skip videographer
$1,500-$3,500
Courthouse ceremony
$5,000+ saved
Food truck catering
40-50% on food
Spotify playlist vs DJ
$1,000-$2,000
Wedding Cost Trends
Trend
Impact
Micro-weddings (under 50 guests)
Growing popularity
Destination weddings
Higher per-person, lower guest count
Weekend weddings
Multi-day events increasing
Personalized experiences
Quality over quantity
COVID rebound
Pent-up demand inflating prices
How to Pay for a Wedding
Source
Considerations
Savings
Ideal; no debt
Parents/family
Discuss expectations
Credit cards
Avoid; high interest
Personal loan
Better than CC if needed
Wedding registry contributions
Cash funds growing
Avoid wedding debt — the average couple takes 1-2 years to pay off wedding loans.
What to Prioritize
If you can’t afford “average,” prioritize what matters to you:
Priority
Typical High Spend
Great photos
Photography (lasts forever)
Amazing food
Catering (guest experience)
Atmosphere
Venue (sets the tone)
Party vibe
Music/entertainment
Consider: What will matter in 10 years?
Bottom Line
The average wedding costs $35,000, but there’s no “right” amount to spend. What matters:
Stay within budget — wedding debt isn’t romantic
Guest count drives cost — each guest adds $200-$300
Venue is half your budget — choose wisely
Location matters — same wedding costs 50% more in NYC vs. Ohio
Your wedding budget should reflect your financial situation, not industry averages or social media expectations.
WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy
