Wedding costs vary dramatically by location. Here’s what couples are spending in each state — and what drives those differences.
Quick answer: The national average wedding cost is about $35,000 in 2026. New Jersey is most expensive at $60,000+, while Mississippi is cheapest at $20,000. The median is closer to $28,000.
Average Wedding Cost by State
| State | Average Cost | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $62,000 | +$27,000 |
| Massachusetts | $55,000 | +$20,000 |
| New York | $53,000 | +$18,000 |
| California | $48,000 | +$13,000 |
| Connecticut | $46,000 | +$11,000 |
| Rhode Island | $45,000 | +$10,000 |
| Hawaii | $44,000 | +$9,000 |
| Maryland | $42,000 | +$7,000 |
| Washington | $40,000 | +$5,000 |
| Colorado | $39,000 | +$4,000 |
| Illinois | $38,000 | +$3,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,000 | +$2,000 |
| Virginia | $36,500 | +$1,500 |
| Minnesota | $36,000 | +$1,000 |
| National Average | $35,000 | — |
| Nevada | $34,000 | -$1,000 |
| Florida | $33,500 | -$1,500 |
| Oregon | $33,000 | -$2,000 |
| Arizona | $32,500 | -$2,500 |
| Texas | $32,000 | -$3,000 |
| Georgia | $31,500 | -$3,500 |
| North Carolina | $31,000 | -$4,000 |
| Michigan | $30,500 | -$4,500 |
| Tennessee | $30,000 | -$5,000 |
| Ohio | $29,500 | -$5,500 |
| Indiana | $28,500 | -$6,500 |
| Missouri | $28,000 | -$7,000 |
| Wisconsin | $27,500 | -$7,500 |
| Iowa | $27,000 | -$8,000 |
| South Carolina | $26,500 | -$8,500 |
| Kansas | $26,000 | -$9,000 |
| Kentucky | $25,500 | -$9,500 |
| Alabama | $25,000 | -$10,000 |
| Nebraska | $24,500 | -$10,500 |
| Louisiana | $24,000 | -$11,000 |
| Oklahoma | $23,500 | -$11,500 |
| New Mexico | $23,000 | -$12,000 |
| Montana | $22,500 | -$12,500 |
| Idaho | $22,000 | -$13,000 |
| South Dakota | $21,500 | -$13,500 |
| North Dakota | $21,000 | -$14,000 |
| West Virginia | $20,500 | -$14,500 |
| Arkansas | $20,500 | -$14,500 |
| Mississippi | $20,000 | -$15,000 |
Wedding Cost by Region
| Region | Average Cost | Cost per Guest |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $48,000 | $320 |
| West | $38,000 | $280 |
| Midwest | $28,000 | $200 |
| South | $26,000 | $190 |
Wedding Budget Breakdown
Where the Money Goes (National Average)
| Category | Percentage | Dollar Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Venue & catering | 45% | $15,750 |
| Photography/video | 12% | $4,200 |
| Music/entertainment | 8% | $2,800 |
| Flowers/decor | 8% | $2,800 |
| Attire/accessories | 7% | $2,450 |
| Rings | 6% | $2,100 |
| Invitations/paper | 3% | $1,050 |
| Cake/dessert | 3% | $1,050 |
| Hair/makeup | 2% | $700 |
| Transportation | 2% | $700 |
| Officiant | 1% | $350 |
| Other | 3% | $1,050 |
| Total | 100% | $35,000 |
Cost per Guest by State
| State | Cost per Guest |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $380 |
| Massachusetts | $350 |
| New York | $340 |
| California | $320 |
| National Average | $260 |
| Texas | $220 |
| Georgia | $210 |
| Ohio | $200 |
| Mississippi | $170 |
Venue Costs by State
| State | Venue + Catering (Avg.) |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $28,000 |
| Massachusetts | $25,000 |
| New York | $24,000 |
| California | $22,000 |
| National Average | $15,750 |
| Florida | $14,000 |
| Texas | $13,500 |
| Georgia | $12,500 |
| Mississippi | $8,500 |
Wedding Guest Count by State
| State | Average Guest Count |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | 165 |
| Texas | 145 |
| California | 150 |
| National Average | 135 |
| Colorado | 120 |
| Oregon | 110 |
| Hawaii | 100 |
Factors That Increase Wedding Costs
| Factor | Cost Increase |
|---|---|
| Saturday wedding | +15-25% vs. Friday/Sunday |
| Peak season (May-Oct) | +10-20% |
| Metro area venue | +30-50% vs. rural |
| Open bar vs. beer/wine | +$20-40/guest |
| Plated dinner vs. buffet | +$10-25/guest |
| Live band vs. DJ | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Premium photography | +$1,500-$3,000 |
Budget Wedding Costs
How to have a wedding for much less:
| Budget Level | Total Cost | Guest Count | Key Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro wedding | $5,000-$10,000 | 10-30 | Minimal decor, small venue |
| Budget wedding | $10,000-$20,000 | 50-80 | Off-peak, DIY elements |
| Moderate wedding | $20,000-$35,000 | 100-150 | Some compromises |
| Average wedding | $35,000-$50,000 | 130-160 | Standard expectations |
| Upscale wedding | $50,000-$100,000 | 150-200 | Premium everything |
| Luxury wedding | $100,000+ | 200+ | No budget constraints |
Ways to Reduce Wedding Costs
| Strategy | Typical Savings |
|---|---|
| Friday or Sunday wedding | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Off-season (Nov-Feb) | $2,000-$5,000 |
| Non-traditional venue | $3,000-$10,000 |
| Buffet instead of plated | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Beer/wine only | $1,500-$3,000 |
| DJ instead of band | $2,000-$4,000 |
| Digital invitations | $300-$800 |
| DIY centerpieces | $500-$1,500 |
| Brunch reception | $5,000-$15,000 |
| Courthouse + party | $10,000-$25,000 |
Who Pays for What (Traditional)
| Expense | Traditionally Paid By |
|---|---|
| Engagement party | Bride’s parents |
| Ceremony | Bride’s parents |
| Reception | Bride’s parents |
| Rehearsal dinner | Groom’s parents |
| Groom’s attire | Groom/groom’s family |
| Honeymoon | Groom/groom’s family |
| Wedding rings | Each partner buys the other’s |
| Officiant fee | Groom |
| Marriage license | Couple |
Modern Reality
| Who Pays | Percentage of Weddings |
|---|---|
| Couple pays all | 42% |
| Parents contribute | 52% |
| Parents pay all | 6% |
Average parental contribution: $12,000-$18,000
Wedding Costs by Metro Area
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Manhattan, NY | $85,000 |
| Long Island, NY | $65,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | $58,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $50,000 |
| Boston, MA | $52,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $45,000 |
| Washington, DC | $44,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $42,000 |
| Miami, FL | $40,000 |
| Denver, CO | $38,000 |
| Dallas, TX | $35,000 |
| Atlanta, GA | $33,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $32,000 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $30,000 |
Wedding Trends Affecting Costs
| Trend | Impact on Budget |
|---|---|
| Micro weddings (<30 guests) | Decreasing total cost |
| Destination weddings | Mixed (fewer guests, higher per-person) |
| Weekday weddings | Decreasing cost |
| Sustainable/eco weddings | Mixed |
| Extended celebrations | Increasing cost |
| Premium photography/video | Increasing cost |
| Food trucks/casual catering | Decreasing cost |
Financial Impact of Wedding Spending
| Spending Level | Opportunity Cost (if invested) |
|---|---|
| $20,000 wedding | $160,000 in 30 years |
| $35,000 wedding | $280,000 in 30 years |
| $50,000 wedding | $400,000 in 30 years |
| $75,000 wedding | $600,000 in 30 years |
Assumes 7% annual return
Bottom Line
- National average wedding cost is $35,000 (median: $28,000)
- New Jersey is most expensive ($62,000); Mississippi is cheapest ($20,000)
- Venue and catering cost the most (45% of budget)
- Saturday summer weddings cost 20-40% more than off-peak
- Guest count is the biggest budget driver — fewer guests = lower cost
- Modern couples pay for 42%+ of weddings themselves
- A budget wedding is possible at $10,000-$20,000 with smart choices
- Consider the opportunity cost of spending vs. saving for your future