2017 Q2 Average Cost of Wedding in the U.S. Remains Flat at $25,960
The average amount U.S. couples are spending on their wedding as of 2017 Q2 was flat, down only by $1 to $25,960 from $25,961 in 2017 Q2. The average number of guests was 125, unchanged from 2017 Q1. The latest average wedding cost is based on 2,412 survey samples collected from April 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017. Includes couples that were married and spent money on their upcoming wedding.
While average spending for most items remained flat, couples continue to spend less on services; such as, photography, video, and planning. Only Entertainment, Invitations, and event location saw some increase in spending. This means that couples will continue to be price sensitive to products and services that feel relatively the same from business to business.
Here’s what you can do; one, look for real opportunities to make yourself different with options that no other competitor can match. Two, streamline and automate your processes. Think, how can I make this process more functional, not emotional.
We’ll continue to monitor changes throughout this year and keep you informed of any major shifts we see. We have updated 2017 spending numbers for all markets to reflect the 2017 Q2 survey results.
| Market Totals | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Market Summary | $25,961 | $25,960 | 0.0% |
| Attire & Accessories | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Dress Accessories | $224 | $223 | -0.4% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories | $103 | $103 | 0.0% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase | $208 | $209 | 0.5% |
| Wedding Dress/es | $1,220 | $1,218 | -0.2% |
| Beauty & Spa | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Hair Service | $67 | $67 | 0.0% |
| Makeup Service | $54 | $54 | 0.0% |
| Manicure & Pedicure | $45 | $45 | 0.0% |
| Entertainment | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| DJ | $735 | $736 | 0.1% |
| Live Band | $1,698 | $1,703 | 0.3% |
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble | $619 | $619 | 0.0% |
| Flowers & Decorations | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Bouquets | $340 | $339 | -0.3% |
| Boutonnieres, Corsages | $147 | $147 | 0.0% |
| Event Decorations | $446 | $445 | -0.2% |
| Event Flowers & Arrangements | $617 | $613 | -0.6% |
| Event Table Centerpieces | $326 | $326 | 0.0% |
| Gifts & Favors | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Gift/s for Attendants | $104 | $103 | -1.0% |
| Gift/s for Parents | $122 | $121 | -0.8% |
| Tips (for all services) | $384 | $385 | 0.3% |
| Wedding Favors | $239 | $239 | 0.0% |
| Invitations | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Programs | $127 | $128 | 0.8% |
| Engagement Announcements | $108 | $109 | 0.9% |
| Guest Book | $61 | $61 | 0.0% |
| Invitations & Reply Cards | $226 | $225 | -0.4% |
| Postage | $105 | $105 | 0.0% |
| Reception Menus | $125 | $125 | 0.0% |
| Save the Date Cards | $112 | $112 | 0.0% |
| Table Name and Escort/place Cards | $85 | $85 | 0.0% |
| Thank You Cards | $90 | $90 | 0.0% |
| Jewelry | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Engagement Ring | $3,406 | $3,399 | -0.2% |
| Wedding ring/band for HER | $785 | $782 | -0.4% |
| Wedding ring/band for HIM | $456 | $455 | -0.2% |
| Photography & Video | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Digital or Photo cd/dvd | $293 | $290 | -1.0% |
| Engagement Session | $397 | $394 | -0.8% |
| Prints and/or Enlargements | $238 | $236 | -0.8% |
| Wedding album/s or photo book/s | $420 | $417 | -0.7% |
| Wedding Photographer | $1,610 | $1,606 | -0.2% |
| Wedding Videographer | $1,072 | $1,074 | 0.2% |
| Planner/Consultant | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| A La Carte Services | $943 | $937 | -0.6% |
| Day of Coordinator | $811 | $807 | -0.5% |
| For Getting Started | $874 | $869 | -0.6% |
| Full Service | $2,767 | $2,750 | -0.6% |
| Month of Direction | $1,063 | $1,058 | -0.5% |
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | 2017 Q1 | 2017 Q2 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Officiator | $214 | $213 | -0.5% |
| Event Accessories | $327 | $326 | -0.3% |
| Event Bar Service | $2,377 | $2,373 | -0.2% |
| Event Food Service | $4,674 | $4,671 | -0.1% |
| Event Location | $3,611 | $3,613 | 0.1% |
| Event Rentals | $1,737 | $1,736 | -0.1% |
| Hotel Room for After Reception | $315 | $315 | 0.0% |
| Limo Rental | $483 | $482 | -0.2% |
| Other Transportation | $518 | $515 | -0.6% |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $572 | $570 | -0.3% |
| Wedding Cake/dessert | $419 | $418 | -0.2% |
