The average wedding cost in America is $33,391 - but here's where Americans spend way more than that

Advertisement
The average wedding cost in America is $33,391 - but here's where Americans spend way more than that

wedding, couple

Shutterstock

The average wedding cost may be higher than you think.

Advertisement
  • The average wedding cost in the US is $33,391.
  • But the average cost of a wedding varies widely depending on where you live.
  • Couples in New York City spend the most at $76,944, while couples in New Mexico spend the least at $17,584.

Americans spend, on average, $33,391 on their weddings, according to The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study. And that's not even including the amount they spend on an engagement ring.

The cost of a wedding depends on a wide variety of factors, including the amount of guests, the ceremony site, the time of year, the decor, and of course, the city that you decide to host the wedding in.

While there's a current trend in hosting fewer guests, the average cost per guest is increasing, due to couples wanting to create a unique and memorable experience for all those involved, The Knot found.

The tradition of the bride's family paying for the wedding isn't rapidly changing. "On average, the bride's parents contribute 45% (56% for high spenders) of the overall wedding budget; the bride and groom contribute 41% (28% for high spenders); and the groom's parents contribute 13% (15% for high spenders)," says the study.

Advertisement

In some places across the US, the average wedding cost is much lower than the national average. In New Mexico, for example, the average wedding cost is almost half the national average at $17,584. But some places spend much more.

The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study looked into which cities and regions across Americans are shelling out the most cash for their big day. Below, see the top 25 places where the average wedding cost is higher than the national average.

{{}}

25. Illinois – Chicago Suburbs: $34,675

25. Illinois – Chicago Suburbs: $34,675

24. California – San Diego: $34,722

24. California – San Diego: $34,722
Advertisement

23. Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh/Southwest: $34,928

23. Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh/Southwest: $34,928

22. Michigan – Detroit: $35,843

22. Michigan – Detroit: $35,843
Advertisement

21. Maryland – Baltimore: $36,305

21. Maryland – Baltimore: $36,305

20. California – Orange County/Inland Empire: $37,050

20. California – Orange County/Inland Empire: $37,050
Advertisement

19. California – Santa Barbara/Ventura: $38,025

19. California – Santa Barbara/Ventura: $38,025

18. Hawaii: $38,984

18. Hawaii: $38,984
Advertisement

17. California – San Francisco/Greater Bay Area: $39,329

17. California – San Francisco/Greater Bay Area: $39,329

16. DC — Washington DC/Northern Virginia/Suburban Maryland: $39,465

16. DC — Washington DC/Northern Virginia/Suburban Maryland: $39,465
Advertisement

15. New Jersey – South: $40,231

15. New Jersey – South: $40,231

14. Florida – South: $40,634

14. Florida – South: $40,634
Advertisement

13. Massachusetts – Boston: $40,667

13. Massachusetts – Boston: $40,667

12. Louisiana – New Orleans: $41,167

12. Louisiana – New Orleans: $41,167
Advertisement

11. California – Los Angeles: $44,142

11. California – Los Angeles: $44,142

10. Pennsylvania — Philadelphia/Delaware: $46,211

10. Pennsylvania — Philadelphia/Delaware: $46,211
Advertisement

9. New York City – Boroughs outside of Manhattan: $46,808

9. New York City – Boroughs outside of Manhattan: $46,808

8. Connecticut: $47,435

8. Connecticut: $47,435
Advertisement

7. Illinois – Chicago: $52,332

7. Illinois – Chicago: $52,332

6. Rhode Island: $52,777

6. Rhode Island: $52,777
Advertisement

5. Massachusetts – Cape Cod: $55,083

5. Massachusetts – Cape Cod: $55,083

4. New York – Westchester/Hudson Valley: $55,357

4. New York – Westchester/Hudson Valley: $55,357
Advertisement

3. New York – Long Island: $61,113

3. New York – Long Island: $61,113

2. New Jersey – North/Central: $62,074

2. New Jersey – North/Central: $62,074
Advertisement

1. New York – Manhattan: $76,944

1. New York – Manhattan: $76,944