2016 U.S. Median Cost of a Wedding was $14,399

The average wedding cost is typically the number shared by those that track it. Mostly because it’s easier to understand what the average is vs. the median. For those that might not know, the median is the middle number in a list of numbers. For example, if you had 100 samples taken from a survey that ask someone how much they spent on x, then you sorted those results by lowest to highest or highest to lowest. Since you have 100 samples you would divide that by 2 and look row 50 (in this case) to get the median number.

Since we use buckets of ranges to collect how much someone spends on x, we have to use a different method to calculate the median. We used a method to calculate the median from a frequency distribution. We did this for each item we collect data on, then we followed the same calculation we do with the average (median times demand summed) to get the total median wedding cost. We have provided the median cost for each item we track below.

So, what does this really mean? It means that at least 50% of all weddings in the U.S spend less than $14,400. If you have looked at our spending distribution breakdown, then you’ll also learn that 23.2% spend between $14,400 and $19,999. That’s basically 73.2% of all weddings spend less than $20,000.

Median Cost of a Wedding by Item

Market Totals 2016
Median Total Cost $14,399
Attire & Accessories 2016
Dress Accessories $104
Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories $64
Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase $167
Wedding Dress/es $890
Beauty & Spa 2016
Hair Service $61
Makeup Service $47
Manicure & Pedicure $41
Entertainment 2016
DJ $599
Live Band $724
Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble $359
Flowers & Decorations 2016
Boutonnieres, Corsages $118
Bridal Bouquet $115
Bridesmaid Bouquets $171
Event Decorations $288
Event Flower Arrangements $213
Event Table Centerpieces $195
Flower Girl Flowers $68
Flower Petals $69
Gifts & Favors 2016
Gift/s for Attendants $40
Gift/s for Parents $73
Tips (for all services) $220
Wedding Favors $155
Invitations 2016
Ceremony Programs $79
Engagement Announcements $77
Guest Book $41
Invitations & Reply Cards $99
Postage $60
Reception Menus $53
Save the Date Cards $69
Table Name and Escort/place Cards $48
Thank You Cards $53
Jewelry 2016
Engagement Ring $1,823
Wedding Bands $991
Photography & Video 2016
Digital or Photo cd/dvd $72
Engagement Session $211
Prints and/or Enlargements $99
Wedding album/s or photo book/s $177
Wedding Photographer $883
Wedding Videographer $681
Planner/Consultant 2016
A La Carte Services $417
Day of Coordinator $392
For Getting Started $412
Full Service $889
Month of Direction $390
Venue, Catering & Rentals 2016
Ceremony Officiator $112
Event Accessories $213
Event Bar Service $1,143
Event Food Service $2,070
Event Location $1,950
Event Rentals $881
Hotel Room for After Reception $236
Limo Rental $410
Other Transportation $394
Rehearsal Dinner $369
Wedding Cake/dessert $299

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