Average wedding cost? A real look at the numbers and what that means
Inside this article
The thrill and excitement of planning a wedding can be overwhelming. Indeed, when you announce your engagement, family and friends come out of the woodwork with advice, tips, and of course anecdotes. Without a doubt you’ll receive recommendations on who to hire for this or that and you will definitely hear some horror stories. However torrential the flood of input may be, the phrases that will stick in your mind are “cost”, “expensive”, and very likely “budget”. Some of the numbers can be scary, but with planning and research you can avoid breaking the bank to say “I do”.
So how much does a wedding cost in 2024? Let’s take a look and break those costs down. Keep in mind these numbers are averages of averages! We did a lot of research for this article and found varying but consistent numbers and thus present here our interpretation of what you can expect to face in terms of cost for your big day.
How much do weddings cost in 2024?
Average wedding expenses for weddings in 2024 are about $35,000. This is a slight increase in 2023 when the average was $30,000. But before you panic, understand that averages take into account the very highest and very lowest figures reported to have been spent on a wedding. You will be spending some money for your wedding. But how much you spend and how well you spend it can and will be up to you.
Averages and trends aside, budgeting for a wedding is a balance between dreams and reality. Your wants and needs will be weighed against each other. Compromises will be necessary unless you’ve got a blank check. Average wedding costs vary based on so many different factors, you may need a chart to begin your planning.
Which wedding expenses cost the most?
sometimes combined if the venue provides the catering. Sometimes this is mandatory for booking a venue, but your venue may offer it as an option while allowing you to bring in your own catering service. Catering aside, the venue for your wedding should be the first item on your list. Once you’ve selected (and booked!) a venue, you can move on to other costs.
The music and photographs are the next big ticket items for the average wedding budget. A band or DJ will, on average, cost anywhere from $2,000 to $7,500 and the cost of wedding photography ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 or more. A videographer can cost as much as a photographer but there are ways to reduce your budget in this department. And yes, that’s a pretense for hiring a photographer who also provides video. Like Heather & Rob Wedding Photography.
In 2023 the average cost of a wedding dress was $1,300 to $2,700. Some larger retailers have dresses starting at $500 while boutiques and custom designer dresses can top out between $3,000 and $6,000. Additionally, you can find amazing dresses at consignment shops or online through private sellers.
Finally, though by no means the end of the story, the least expensive costs you’ll want to consider in your wedding budget are the cake, the ceremony music, an officiant, and the hair and makeup. Of course somewhere in there you’ll want to consider, if applicable, the cost of a tux or suit though at $180 to $500 and options to rent versus buy this is a minor expense in the overall formula that makes up your wedding budget.
Average wedding cost per service
You’re ready to start taking a hard look at venues, vendors, and dresses. You want to keep things within your wedding budget. Here’s a simple breakdown on your costs.
While the sky might not be the limit when it comes to your ability to splurge, the important thing to keep in mind as you plan is that this is your day and should be a reflection of who you are as a couple. It will be your first day as a married couple so make it yours!
Based on an average of $30,000 and a guest list of 100 people, here’s a list of costs by category. These numbers are based on 2023 costs and adjusted accordingly for 2024.
- Wedding venue: $6,750-$15,000
- Catering: $7,000-$9,000
- Band or DJ: $2,000-$7,500
- Photographer: $3,000–$7,000
- Videographer: $3,000–$6,000
- Flowers: $1,500–$7,000
- Transportation: $500–$1,800
- Cake: $200–$1,000
- Ceremony music: $300–$900
- Hair and makeup: $450–$700
- Wedding planner: $1,000–$5,000
What does the average wedding cost by number of guests?
How many people you invite to your wedding has a huge impact on your wedding budget in 2024. The number of guests can dictate the venue size and type as well as the catering.
The average wedding guest list in 2024 is 150 people. Moreover, 70% to 75% of guests RSVP yes. Your planning will need to take into account how many people will be at your wedding as that number will impact the cost of some of your services. Accordingly, more people means more food and drinks.
The number of guests will determine the number of tables and chairs, the number of place settings and centerpieces. Be sure to discuss the impact of your guest list on the cost of your catering and decor with your vendors.
While most vendors won’t cut you a break if your guest count is lower than what was contracted for but you can be sure there will be additional costs if your numbers increase.
Some services, like photography or the reception music, won’t be impacted by the number of guests because they’re going to be based primarily on time and the depth of service provided. Nonetheless here’s a very broad idea of costs based on the number of guests at your wedding:
- 500+ guests: $50,000
- 200-300 guests: $43,000
- 150–200 guests: $40,000
- 100–150 guests: $34,000
- 75–100 guests: $25,000
- 50–75 guests: $20,000
- 30-50 guests: $18,000
- 10-30 guests: $15,000
- Fewer than 10 guests: $10,000
Most importantly, location is a huge factor. A big-city wedding will cost more than a rural wedding usually. That gorgeous vineyard tucked away in the mountains may cost as much as a city center hotel. Or it may be much cheaper but take hours to get to for your guests and vendors. There are a lot of things to consider.
How couples are paying for their weddings
Your wedding can be amazing whether your budget has four digits or five. There are a lot of ways to fund your wedding day and based on 2023 and early 2024 surveys, couples are paying for their weddings using several resources.
- 30% will use credit cards
- 40% have saved for years to prepare
- 10% are asking for cash donations via their registry to cover wedding costs
- 20% will have financial assistance from parents and/or family
Ways to save money on your wedding
Saving money doesn’t always mean “going cheap”. There are sensible ways to cut your costs without sacrificing your dreams for your wedding day. From how many people you invite to second hand attire to “recyled” decorations, you can save significant amounts of money.
Even the time of year and day of the week can bring significant savings and help you cut down your guest list! A Friday wedding in November will be cheaper than a Saturday in mid-May. A wedding close to a big travel holiday may result in few people being able to attend. Whether they admit it or not, there are plenty of couples who really really hope that they’ll have some “no” replies to their invites.
Discounts. Look for vendors that offer discounts for teachers, nurses and healthcare workers, first-responders, and military if you work in any of these industries. Some vendors will even extend these discounts to you if one of your parents do (or did) fall into any of these categories.
Additionally, venues may not be the only ones offering discounts based on the time of year you plan on getting married. Winter especially is a time to get big discounts as it’s usually a slower time of year for most vendors. Some vendors may offer discounts for following them on social media or run monthly specials that you can take advantage of by booking early or even by booking last minute!
Yes, that last paragraph was a hint. We offer a variety of discounts. The most popular by far is our 10% off for teachers and school system employees, nurses and healthcare workers, first-responders, and military personnel (active or retired) and yes we will give you a discount if your mom or dad fits these criteria.
Things you shouldn’t compromise on
To conclude, despite the sometimes overwhelming costs and although we’ve just told you some ways to save money and trim your wedding budget there are some things you shouldn’t compromise on.
One thing in particular.
Obviously the photography that captures your day should be one of your top priorities. Granted some couples are “camera shy” but even if photos of yourselves aren’t your favorite thing you should remember that wedding photographs are about the day.
The right wedding photographer will capture photos that tell the whole story and long after the music stops those images will be the enduring legacy of this monumental day. Life continues and careers and family blur the once vivid memories. To that end your wedding photos will always remind you of the fun you had and the sentimental moments that were caught because you hired an experienced and skilled photographer.
You can certainly find a new photographer who is wiling to charge pennies on the dollar of what a seasoned pro charges and we’re certainly not disparaging anyone starting out in wedding photography. But as seasoned pros with nearly 30 years of experience photographing weddings, do you think we’re going to tell you to hire a $500 student or that person trying to build their portfolio? We would much prefer you hire us.
But generally speaking, if your budget allows it don’t go cheap on the photography. Everyone’s read an article or heard a story about poor quality photos or lost files. There’s a cautionary tale for every category of vendor when it comes to weddings but more often than the biggest regret people have is not hiring a better photographer.
We can offer you several reasons to hire us over an inexperienced photographer:
- We have been doing this a long time and know how to handle the pressure and people your wedding day brings
- We have several backup cameras. They’re mechanical devices and things happen. Won’t you feel better knowing we can just grab another one and keep shooting?
- We’re insured. This is for our protection as well as yours!
- We never re-use SD cards. The media cards we shoot your wedding on get your names put on them and go into storage. Your original photos will always be preserved.
- We backup EVERYTHING. This goes without saying; any photographer should be backing up your photos but we had to mention it.
- We love doing this and it shows. Read our reviews; our couples say we were easy and fun to work with and made their day less stressful.
We can go on and on about how gorgeous our photos are but we’re biased of course. You can decide for yourself by viewing our wedding portfolio and see for yourself.
And if you’re not ready to decide, consider following us on Facebook to see our sneak peeks as we post them!
