2018 Q1 Average Cost of Wedding in the U.S. Falls .8% to $25,569
The largest spending drop was seen in the service categories while product spending remained pretty flat. Except for a couple areas in the jewelry category that saw double digit spending growth. While this was only a $20 - $30 spending increase for the items, it was still double-digit growth. The latest average wedding cost is based on 2,621 survey samples collected from January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018. Includes couples that were married and spent money on their upcoming wedding.
Consumers, in general, did not spend more in Q1. The latest data from BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) shows that personal consumption expenditures did not rise much more than 1% and in the areas that matter for the wedding industry it was less than 1% or negative spending. Consumer savings and disposable income increased by a combine 24%, which is really good, but it did not translate into spending for weddings as of yet.
All markets have been updated to reflect their 2018 Q1 spending numbers.
| Market Totals | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Market Summary | $25,764 | $25,569 | -0.8% |
| Attire & Accessories | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Dress Accessories | $224 | $221 | -1.3% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories | $104 | $105 | 1.0% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase | $209 | $211 | 1.0% |
| Wedding Dress/es | $1,220 | $1,210 | -0.8% |
| Beauty & Spa | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Hair Service | $67 | $68 | 1.5% |
| Makeup Service | $54 | $54 | 0.0% |
| Manicure & Pedicure | $45 | $45 | 0.0% |
| Entertainment | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| DJ | $736 | $741 | 0.7% |
| Entertainment lighting | $337 | $325 | -3.6% |
| Live Band | $1,700 | $1,663 | -2.2% |
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble | $618 | $603 | -2.4% |
| Flowers & Decorations | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Boutonnieres, Corsages | $148 | $151 | 2.0% |
| Bouquets | $339 | $338 | -0.3% |
| Event Decorations | $445 | $445 | 0.0% |
| Event Flowers & Arrangements | $613 | $597 | -2.6% |
| Event Table Centerpieces | $326 | $328 | 0.6% |
| Gifts & Favors | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Gift/s for Attendants | $103 | $101 | -1.9% |
| Gift/s for Parents | $122 | $121 | -0.8% |
| Tips (for all services) | $384 | $386 | 0.5% |
| Wedding Favors | $239 | $239 | 0.0% |
| Invitations | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Programs | $128 | $130 | 1.6% |
| Engagement Announcements | $109 | $112 | 2.8% |
| Guest Book | $61 | $61 | 0.0% |
| Invitations & Reply Cards | $225 | $222 | -1.3% |
| Postage | $105 | $104 | -1.0% |
| 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 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Bracelet | $174 | $206 | 18.4% |
| Earrings | $151 | $185 | 22.5% |
| Engagement Ring | $3,402 | $3,371 | -0.9% |
| Necklace | $199 | $199 | 0.0% |
| Wedding ring/band for HER | $782 | $769 | -1.7% |
| Wedding ring/band for HIM | $455 | $450 | -1.1% |
| Photography & Video | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Digital or Photo cd/dvd | $291 | $280 | -3.8% |
| Engagement Session | $395 | $390 | -1.3% |
| Photo Booth | $379 | $378 | -0.3% |
| Prints and/or Enlargements | $237 | $236 | -0.4% |
| Wedding album/s or photo book/s | $417 | $407 | -2.4% |
| Wedding Photographer | $1,606 | $1,590 | -1.0% |
| Wedding Videographer | $1,072 | $1,059 | -1.2% |
| Planner/Consultant | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| A La Carte Services | $941 | $945 | 0.4% |
| Day of Coordinator | $809 | $805 | -0.5% |
| For Getting Started | $873 | $853 | -2.3% |
| Full Service | $2,754 | $2,676 | -2.8% |
| Month of Direction | $1,058 | $1,045 | -1.2% |
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | 2017 | 2018 Q1 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Officiator | $214 | $215 | 0.5% |
| Event Accessories | $326 | $326 | 0.0% |
| Event Bar Service | $2,374 | $2,365 | -0.4% |
| Event Food Service | $4,667 | $4,583 | -1.8% |
| Event Location | $3,611 | $3,630 | 0.5% |
| Event Rentals | $1,736 | $1,734 | -0.1% |
| Hotel Room for After Reception | $315 | $315 | 0.0% |
| Limo Rental | $483 | $480 | -0.6% |
| Other Transportation | $517 | $522 | 1.0% |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $570 | $568 | -0.4% |
| Wedding Cake/dessert | $418 | $414 | -1.0% |
