2018 Q3 Average Cost of Wedding in the U.S. Still Flat at $25,449
Spending for weddings in Q3 2018 was pretty much flat with a slight increase of $10 from $25,439 in Q2 2018 to $25,449 for Q3 2018. Couples spent slightly more in service categories like Entertainment, Photography, and Planning. While in the product category jewelry saw the biggest increase in spending.
Consumers in general are spending more and personal consumption expenses are down slightly from earlier this year. Data from BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) shows the personal savings rate dropped another -6%, but disposable income was only up slightly by 3% from the previous quarter. In addition, retail sales data from Census Bureau were up only .9% over Q2 2018. And the Survey of Consumers from the University of Michigan, points to a decline in both month to month and year over year changes for Consumer Sentiment and Current Economic Conditions.
All markets have been updated to reflect their Q3 2018 spending numbers.
| Market Totals | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Market Summary | $25,439 | $25,449 | 0.0% |
| Attire & Accessories | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Dress Accessories | $219 | $219 | 0.0% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories | $105 | $105 | 0.0% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase | $213 | $213 | 0.0% |
| Wedding Dress/es | $1,204 | $1,204 | 0.0% |
| Beauty & Spa | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Hair Service | $69 | $69 | 0.0% |
| Makeup Service | $55 | $55 | 0.0% |
| Manicure & Pedicure | $45 | $45 | 0.0% |
| Entertainment | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| DJ | $743 | $743 | 0.0% |
| Entertainment lighting | $322 | $322 | 0.0% |
| Live Band | $1,648 | $1,649 | 0.1% |
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble | $593 | $594 | 0.2% |
| Flowers & Decorations | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Boutonnieres, Corsages | $153 | $153 | 0.0% |
| Bouquets | $336 | $336 | 0.0% |
| Event Decorations | $444 | $444 | 0.0% |
| Event Flowers & Arrangements | $582 | $583 | 0.2% |
| Event Table Centerpieces | $328 | $328 | 0.0% |
| Gifts & Favors | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Gift/s for Attendants | $99 | $99 | 0.0% |
| Gift/s for Parents | $120 | $120 | 0.0% |
| Tips (for all services) | $386 | $386 | 0.0% |
| Wedding Favors | $240 | $240 | 0.0% |
| Invitations | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Programs | $132 | $132 | 0.0% |
| Engagement Announcements | $114 | $114 | 0.0% |
| Guest Book | $62 | $62 | 0.0% |
| Invitations & Reply Cards | $220 | $220 | 0.0% |
| Postage | $103 | $103 | 0.0% |
| Reception Menus | $126 | $126 | 0.0% |
| Save the Date Cards | $113 | $113 | 0.0% |
| Table Name and Escort/place Cards | $86 | $86 | 0.0% |
| Thank You Cards | $90 | $90 | 0.0% |
| Jewelry | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Bracelet | $206 | $206 | 0.0% |
| Earrings | $185 | $185 | 0.0% |
| Engagement Ring | $3,350 | $3,352 | 0.1% |
| Necklace | $200 | $200 | 0.0% |
| Wedding ring/band for HER | $760 | $761 | 0.1% |
| Wedding ring/band for HIM | $448 | $448 | 0.0% |
| Photography & Video | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Digital or Photo cd/dvd | $271 | $272 | 0.4% |
| Engagement Session | $383 | $384 | 0.3% |
| Photo Booth | $377 | $377 | 0.0% |
| Prints and/or Enlargements | $235 | $235 | 0.0% |
| Wedding album/s or photo book/s | $399 | $400 | 0.3% |
| Wedding Photographer | $1,576 | $1,577 | 0.1% |
| Wedding Videographer | $1,052 | $1,053 | 0.1% |
| Planner/Consultant | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| A La Carte Services | $946 | $946 | 0.0% |
| Day of Coordinator | $804 | $804 | 0.0% |
| For Getting Started | $839 | $840 | 0.1% |
| Full Service | $2,630 | $2,635 | 0.2% |
| Month of Direction | $1,025 | $1,027 | 0.2% |
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | 2018 Q2 | 2018 Q3 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Officiator | $215 | $215 | 0.0% |
| Event Accessories | $324 | $324 | 0.0% |
| Event Bar Service | $2,366 | $2,366 | 0.0% |
| Event Food Service | $4,531 | $4,535 | 0.1% |
| Event Location | $3,642 | $3,641 | 0.0% |
| Event Rentals | $1,734 | $1,733 | -0.1% |
| Hotel Room for After Reception | $314 | $314 | 0.0% |
| Limo Rental | $483 | $483 | 0.0% |
| Other Transportation | $527 | $527 | 0.0% |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $564 | $564 | 0.0% |
| Wedding Cake/dessert | $411 | $411 | 0.0% |
