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.