2017 Final Average Cost of Wedding in the U.S. Falls 3.6% to $25,764
The average amount U.S. couples spent on their wedding in 2017 fell 3.6% to $25,764 from $26,720 in 2016. The average number of guests was 125, unchanged from 2016. The latest average wedding cost is based on a total of 10,521 survey samples collected from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.
This includes couples that were married in 2017 and couples that spent money on their upcoming wedding. The results include couples from all areas of the US. Because we calculate spending using weighted average demand, the spending decrease was primarily based on a combination of lower demand and lower spending for various wedding items.
But the economy is doing better, why aren’t couples spending more? We plan to go into more detail on this with a separate article, but in a nut shell, the wedding market is a lagging indicator of the economy and couples typically rely on cash on hand (disposable income) and savings to pay for wedding costs. Disposable income is all over the place with pressure from other areas of life taking more and savings rates are also lower.
All markets have been updated with the latest 2017 spending results.
Note About Average Spending
Products; The average amount shown is based on spending of couples getting married, not prices. This includes purchases of both new and pre-owned items.
Services; The average amount shown is based on spending of couples getting married, not vendor prices. This includes purchases of services from professionals, someone that simply provides the service, or a hired family member or friend.
| Market Totals | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Market Summary | $26,720 | $25,764 | -3.6% |
| Attire & Accessories | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Dress Accessories | $224 | $224 | -0.1% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories | $103 | $104 | 1.3% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase | $208 | $209 | 0.5% |
| Wedding Dress/es | $1,221 | $1,220 | 0.0% |
| Beauty & Spa | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Hair Service | $67 | $67 | 0.1% |
| Makeup Service | $54 | $54 | 0.4% |
| Manicure & Pedicure | $45 | $45 | 1.1% |
| Entertainment | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| DJ | $735 | $736 | 0.1% |
| Entertainment lighting | $343 | $337 | -1.7% |
| Live Band | $1,695 | $1,700 | 0.3% |
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble | $618 | $618 | -0.1% |
| Flowers & Decorations | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Bouquets | $340 | $339 | -0.3% |
| Boutonnieres, Corsages | $147 | $148 | 0.7% |
| Event Decorations | $446 | $445 | -0.2% |
| Event Flowers & Arrangements | $619 | $613 | -1.0% |
| Event Table Centerpieces | $326 | $326 | 0.0% |
| Gifts & Favors | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Gift/s for Attendants | $104 | $103 | -0.9% |
| Gift/s for Parents | $122 | $122 | 0.0% |
| Tips (for all services) | $384 | $384 | -0.1% |
| Wedding Favors | $239 | $239 | 0.0% |
| Invitations | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Programs | $127 | $128 | 0.6% |
| Engagement Announcements | $108 | $109 | 0.5% |
| Guest Book | $61 | $61 | 0.7% |
| Invitations & Reply Cards | $226 | $225 | -0.6% |
| Postage | $105 | $105 | -0.1% |
| Reception Menus | $125 | $125 | -0.1% |
| Save the Date Cards | $112 | $112 | -0.4% |
| Table Name and Escort/place Cards | $85 | $85 | 0.4% |
| Thank You Cards | $90 | $90 | -0.2% |
| Jewelry | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Bracelet | $187 | $174 | -7.0% |
| Earrings | $160 | $151 | -5.6% |
| Engagement Ring | $3,407 | $3,402 | -0.1% |
| Necklace | $214 | $199 | -7.0% |
| Wedding ring/band for HER | $786 | $782 | -0.5% |
| Wedding ring/band for HIM | $456 | $455 | -0.2% |
| Photography & Video | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Digital or Photo cd/dvd | $294 | $291 | -1.1% |
| Engagement Session | $398 | $395 | -0.7% |
| Photo Booth | $386 | $379 | -1.8% |
| Prints and/or Enlargements | $238 | $237 | -0.5% |
| Wedding album/s or photo book/s | $421 | $417 | -0.9% |
| Wedding Photographer | $1,611 | $1,606 | -0.3% |
| Wedding Videographer | $1,072 | $1,072 | 0.0% |
| Planner/Consultant | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| A La Carte Services | $943 | $941 | -0.2% |
| Day of Coordinator | $812 | $809 | -0.4% |
| For Getting Started | $875 | $873 | -0.2% |
| Full Service | $2,773 | $2,754 | -0.7% |
| Month of Direction | $1,062 | $1,058 | -0.4% |
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | 2016 | 2017 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Officiator | $214 | $214 | 0.2% |
| Event Accessories | $327 | $326 | -0.4% |
| Event Bar Service | $2,378 | $2,374 | -0.2% |
| Event Food Service | $4,674 | $4,667 | -0.1% |
| Event Location | $3,610 | $3,611 | 0.0% |
| Event Rentals | $1,737 | $1,736 | 0.0% |
| Hotel Room for After Reception | $315 | $315 | -0.1% |
| Limo Rental | $483 | $483 | 0.1% |
| Other Transportation | $518 | $517 | -0.2% |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $572 | $570 | -0.3% |
| Wedding Cake/dessert | $419 | $418 | -0.2% |
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