2019 Average Cost of Wedding in the U.S. Flat at $24,675
Spending for weddings in 2019 was flat at $24,675 a slight change from 2018 at $24,723. Couples are just not spending more despite a perceived great economy. I still believe that lifestyle creep and general life expenses are changing the priority of how couples spend for their wedding. Total consumer debt is almost $14 Trillion, higher than any other time in history. Student loan and Auto loan debt are the highest ever and while household median income has increased to about $64k, the cost of living continues to increase putting pressure on couples willingness to spend on their wedding. They are prioritizing the things that are important and cutting back everything else.
The latest average wedding cost is based on 4,785 survey samples collected from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. Includes couples that were married and spent money on their upcoming wedding. The average number of guests was 125 and the average travel distance from home to get married was 50 miles. The average number of bridesmaids was 4 and the average number of groomsmen was 4.
NOTE: Products; The final numbers are based on spending of couples getting married, not prices. This includes purchases of both new and pre-owned items. Services; The final numbers are 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 | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Market Summary | $24,723 | $24,675 | -0.2% |
| Attire & Accessories | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Dress Accessories | $223 | $222 | -0.4% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories | $104 | $104 | 0.0% |
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase | $210 | $211 | 0.5% |
| Wedding Dress/es | $1,217 | $1,217 | 0.0% |
| Beauty & Spa | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Hair Service | $68 | $68 | 0.0% |
| Makeup Service | $55 | $56 | 1.8% |
| Manicure & Pedicure | $45 | $45 | 0.0% |
| Entertainment | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| DJ | $737 | $739 | 0.3% |
| Entertainment lighting | $334 | $333 | -0.3% |
| Live Band | $1,693 | $1,724 | 1.8% |
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble | $612 | $624 | 2.0% |
| Flowers & Decorations | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Boutonnieres, Corsages | $150 | $152 | 1.3% |
| Bouquets | $338 | $337 | -0.3% |
| Event Decorations | $444 | $443 | -0.2% |
| Event Flowers & Arrangements | $604 | $598 | -1.0% |
| Event Table Centerpieces | $326 | $326 | 0.0% |
| Gifts & Favors | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Gift/s for Attendants | $102 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Gift/s for Parents | $122 | $122 | 0.0% |
| Tips (for all services) | $385 | $384 | -0.3% |
| Wedding Favors | $240 | $241 | 0.4% |
| Invitations | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Programs | $128 | $129 | 0.8% |
| Engagement Announcements | $110 | $111 | 0.9% |
| Guest Book | $61 | $61 | 0.0% |
| Invitations & Reply Cards | $223 | $222 | -0.4% |
| Postage | $105 | $105 | 0.0% |
| Reception Menus | $125 | $126 | 0.8% |
| 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 | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Bracelet | $174 | $175 | 0.6% |
| Earrings | $151 | $152 | 0.7% |
| Engagement Ring | $3,388 | $3,380 | -0.2% |
| Necklace | $199 | $201 | 1.0% |
| Wedding ring/band for HER | $775 | $769 | -0.8% |
| Wedding ring/band for HIM | $454 | $454 | 0.0% |
| Photography & Video | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Digital or Photo cd/dvd | $285 | $282 | -1.1% |
| Engagement Session | $390 | $388 | -0.5% |
| Photo Booth | $377 | $379 | 0.5% |
| Prints and/or Enlargements | $236 | $234 | -0.8% |
| Wedding album/s or photo book/s | $410 | $405 | -1.2% |
| Wedding Photographer | $1,597 | $1,589 | -0.5% |
| Wedding Videographer | $1,066 | $1,073 | 0.7% |
| Planner/Consultant | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| A La Carte Services | $942 | $939 | -0.3% |
| Day of Coordinator | $808 | $806 | -0.2% |
| For Getting Started | $869 | $864 | -0.6% |
| Full Service | $2,722 | $2,704 | -0.7% |
| Month of Direction | $1,036 | $1,032 | -0.4% |
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | 2018 | 2019 | Chg % |
| Ceremony Officiator | $213 | $212 | -0.5% |
| Event Accessories | $325 | $323 | -0.6% |
| Event Bar Service | $2,368 | $2,365 | -0.1% |
| Event Food Service | $4,632 | $4,618 | -0.3% |
| Event Location | $3,618 | $3,638 | 0.6% |
| Event Rentals | $1,737 | $1,749 | 0.7% |
| Hotel Room for After Reception | $314 | $314 | 0.0% |
| Limo Rental | $485 | $486 | 0.2% |
| Other Transportation | $518 | $520 | 0.4% |
| Rehearsal Dinner | $566 | $563 | -0.5% |
| Wedding Cake/dessert | $416 | $413 | -0.7% |
