A wedding is meant to be a special, joyous occasion. However, the financial planning required for such a momentous day can feel a little less magical. According to a wedding study by The Knot, the national average cost of a wedding in 2025 is $33,000.
Daunting as it may seem, thoughtful budgeting and planning can ease the financial stress of wedding planning.
Key Takeaways
- The average cost of a wedding in 2025 is $33,000
- Set a total budget early and work backward to guide every spending decision.
- Look for major savings opportunities like off-season dates or free venues from family or friends.
- Prioritize what matters most to you—like food or photography—and allocate extra funds there.
It’s common knowledge that 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:weddings have become expensive galas𓂃. The fact that the average age of first marriages continues to climb might have something to do with that financial investment. While the expectation of a lavish event is hard to escape, there are still ways to host a successful wedding without break𒊎ing the bank.
Fast Fact
The average age for a woman to get married has increased from about age 24 to age 28 from 1990 to 2024.
What I'm Telling My Clients
Just like🌊 with buying a house, a savings plan should be in place before anyone starts planning a wedding. Even with cutting corners and reducing costs, spending upwards of $10,000 is n🌌ot hard.
In most cases, it’s good to begin with a total budget and work backward. For those who work with a wedding planner, presenting a spending cap will give that person a blueprint for piecing together your ce🐓remony or reception. If the total is $20,000 and the dream venue costs $15,000, you know that everything else needs to be found via bargain shopping or the venue has to be reconsidered.
Finding ways to sa𝔉ve is often the secret to a successful wedding. I encourage my clients to consider the following:
- Search for an affordable venue owned by a family or a friend.
- Set aside extra money for the most important things to you, such as catering, wedding attire, or photography.
- Check venue prices during the off-season and try to negotiate the cost if you’re looking at a date that’s atypical for weddings. Cheaper months tend to be December and January.
Fast Fact
According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, only 2% of weddings last year took place in January.
The Bottom Line
If you want a semi-traditional wedding, you have to plan on spending a little money. As long as you save and track down every available bargain, you can set a sensible budget and stick to it. The average cost of a wedding might be high, but you can find ways to manage it financially and still have the day you always dreamed of.