What is the average cost of a wedding?

The average wedding isn’t cheap, the estimated total stands at $22,500, according to data from a survey of 7,600 couples by wedding-planning site The Knot.

Wedding costs vary based on a variety of factors. Here’s what the average US wedding cost pre-pandemic in 2019.

Average cost of a wedding by year

The average cost of a wedding has changed a lot in recent years. While couples spent an average of $28,000 in 2019, the average spending plummeted in 2020.

The pandemic decreased the average cost of weddings in 2020 to $19,000, with a limited number of guests, and an overall change in how weddings took place, though wedding costs have been dropping in recent years.

Here’s what couples have spent in recent years on their weddings, according to The Knot.

Average cost of wedding services and items

Wedding costs don’t typically come in one lump-sum payment. Here’s how the numbers broke down for weddings in 2019, across several common spending categories.

While some of these costs are essential, others aren’t. You’ll need an officiant to get married, but you may not need to hire a wedding planner for $1,500, nor spend a full $2,000 on flowers.

While these things compose the average cost, not every couple needs every item on the list. If you’re looking to save some on your wedding costs, opting for more affordable wedding venues and doing some of the planning yourself could be a good way to cut costs.

Start by making a wedding budget

According to the BBB, about half of couples spend more on their wedding than they originally budgeted. Like any other large expense, a wedding requires some careful planning and saving, and making a budget should come well before you send out the invites.

Before you start planning, start by having a conversation about money with your partner, and make sure you’re on the same page about not only this goal, but also your goals together afterwards. Making a spreadsheet together of your expenses, savings, and spending can be a great way to take a deep dive into your finances as a couple, explains one financial planner.

Once you’ve taken a look at your finances and goals, you can get a better sense of an amount you’re able to spend on a wedding, and where your priorities lie on spending both now and later.

Getting Started

If you are planning corporate events in Calgary, you will need to work with a professional catering company. This company must provide reliable and efficient services at an affordable price. You can contact us for more information.