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.
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 |