2017 Q2 Average Cost of Wedding in the U.S. Remains Flat at $25,960
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The average amount U.S. couples are spending on their wedding as of 2017 Q2 was flat, down only by $1 to $25,960 from $25,961 in 2017 Q2. The average number of guests was 125, unchanged from 2017 Q1. The latest average wedding cost is based on 2,412 survey samples collected from April 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017. Includes couples that were married and spent money on their upcoming wedding.
While average spending for most items remained flat, couples continue to spend less on services; such as, photography, video, and planning. Only Entertainment, Invitations, and event location saw some increase in spending. This means that couples will continue to be price sensitive to products and services that feel relatively the same from business to business.
Here’s what you can do; one, look for real opportunities to make yourself different with options that no other competitor can match. Two, streamline and automate your processes. Think, how can I make this process more functional, not emotional.
We’ll continue to monitor changes throughout this year and keep you informed of any major shifts we see. We have updated 2017 spending numbers for all markets to reflect the 2017 Q2 survey results.
Market Totals 2017 Q1 2017 Q2
Market Summary 25,961 $25,960
Attire & Accessories
Dress/Accessories $224 $223
Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories $103 $103
Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase $208 $209
Wedding Dress/es $1,220 $1,218
Beauty & Hair Service $67 $67
Makeup Service $54 $54
Manicure & Pedicure $45 $45
Entertainment
DJ $735 $736
Live Band$1,698$1,7030.3%
Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble $619 $619
Flowers & Decorations
Bouquets $340 $339
Boutonnieres, Corsages $147 $147
Event Decorations $446 $445
Event Flowers & Arrangements $617 $613
Event Table Centerpieces $326 $326
Gifts & Favors
Gift/s for Attendants
Gift/s for Parents $122 $121
Tips (for all services) $384 $385
Wedding Favors $239 $239
Invitations
Ceremony Programs $127 $128
Engagement Announcements $108$1090.9%
Guest Book $61 $61
Invitations & Reply Cards $226 $225
Postage $105 $105
Reception Menus $125 $125
Save the Date Cards $112 $112
Escort/place Cards $85 $85
Thank You Cards $90 $90
Jewelry
Engagement Ring $3,406 $3,399
Wedding ring/band for HER $785 $782
Wedding ring/band for HIM $456 $455
Photography & Video
Digital or Photo cd/dvd $293 $290
Engagement Session $397 $394
Prints and/or Enlargements $238 $236
Wedding album/s $420 $417
Wedding Photographer $1,610 $1,606
Wedding Videographer$1,072$1,0740.2%
Planner/Consultant2017 Q12017 Q2Chg %
A La Carte Services$943$937-0.6%
Day of Coordinator$811$807-0.5%
For Getting Started$874$869-0.6%
Full Service$2,767$2,750-0.6%
Month of Direction$1,063$1,058-0.5%
Venue, Catering & Rentals2017 Q12017 Q2Chg %
Ceremony Officiator$214$213-0.5%
Event Accessories$327$326-0.3%
Event Bar Service$2,377$2,373-0.2%
Event Food Service$4,674$4,671-0.1%
Event Location$3,611$3,6130.1%
Event Rentals$1,737$1,736-0.1%
Hotel Room for After Reception$315$3150.0%
Limo Rental$483$482-0.2%
Other Transportation$518$515-0.6%
Rehearsal Dinner$572$570-0.3%
Wedding Cake/dessert$419$418-0.2%