Despite Tight Budgets, Weddings Are Not Getting Cheaper
Even with inflation and tariffs pushing prices higher, weddings largely remain a nonnegotiable milestone for couples in love. The average U.S. wedding cost $34,000 in 2025, according to The Knot’s Real Weddings Study 2026, which surveyed 11,000 Americans who tied the knot last year.
If you’re planning a wedding this year, you may be wondering how to afford it all. MoneyLion took a look at wedding costs, how people pay for them and ways to save.
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Wedding Costs
Nearly 2 million U.S. couples tied the knot in 2025, contributing to $200 billion in total wedding spending, according to the study. Couples spent an average of $34,000, with a median of $24,000. However, costs can vary depending on your state, venue, guest count and whether the couple offers extras like an open bar, according to the Knot.
Here is a breakdown of the total costs of weddings, according to The Knot.
Low: 25% of couples spent $12,000 or less.
Mid-range: 50% of couples spent between $12,000 and $41,000.
High-end: 25% of couples spent over $41,000.
US Wedding Spending by Category
Here's a look at the costs of various spending categories:
Wedding dress: 91% of brides said “yes to the dress,” spending an average of $2,100, with the lowest costing $1,200, the median at $2,000 and the highest at $3,200.
Groom’s attire: 84% of grooms spent an average of $330, with the lowest costing $260, the median at $310 and the highest at $410.
Reception venue: 89% of couples spent an average of $12,900, with the lowest costing $3,500, the median at $10,400 and the highest at $24,800.
Photographer: 88% of couples spent an average of $3,000, with the lowest costing $1,500, the median at $2,800 and the highest at $4,700.
Catering: 85% of couples spent an average of $80 per person, with the lowest at $60, the median at $70 and the highest at $130.
Cake: 76% of couples spent an average of $530, with the lowest costing $300, the median at $500 and the highest at $800.
Hair and makeup: 72% of brides spent an average of $300, with the lowest costing $200, the median at $300 and the highest at $400.
DJ and music: 71% of couples spent an average of $1,800 on a DJ, with the lowest costing $800, the median at $1,600 and the highest at $2,700.
Florist: 59% of couples spent an average of $2,800, with the lowest costing $900, the median at $1,900 and the highest at $4,800.
Event rentals: 68% of couples spent an average of $2,800, with the lowest costing $1,100, the median at $1,700 and the highest at $4,800.
Ways People Can Save on Wedding Costs
One way to save is by hosting the wedding at a friend’s or family member’s home or backyard, which can dramatically reduce the cost of booking a venue.
Another option is to keep the guest list smaller. Wedding planner Claire Ady of Wed in Central Park said many couples are choosing more intimate weddings in 2026.
“They are getting a sense of occasion out of their wedding, but they are not spending their budget on 100-plus [guests] for a standard wedding that doesn’t stand out; they are instead spending more per head but perhaps with 10 to 15 close friends and family or even just with parents,” Ady said.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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