According to Zola, the average U.S. wedding cost in 2025 is around $36,000, up from $33,000 in 2024. However, SoFi and other studies report the median cost is closer to $10,000-$17,000 that means half of couples spend less than average cost.
The average reflects all spending, including luxury events with $100K+ price tags, while the median represents the middle point that offers a more realistic picture of what most couples are actually spending on their big day.
In this guide, we’ll break down the real difference between median and average wedding costs and show you how to use that insight to plan a realistic, stress-free budget.
The average wedding cost is the total amount couples spend on weddings, divided by the number of weddings surveyed in a year. In 2025, the average U.S. wedding will cost around $36,000, according to sources like Zola and The Knot.
But here’s the catch: this number includes all kinds of weddings from small backyard ceremonies to lavish $100,000+ events. That’s why the average can be misleading, especially if you're planning a smaller or more budget-friendly wedding.
How it’s calculated:
Researchers collect data from thousands of couples, add up their total wedding costs, and divide that by the number of weddings.
For example:
Average Cost= Total Spent by All Couples ÷ Total Number of Weddings
So, if a few couples have extremely expensive weddings, it pulls the average way up, even though most couples don’t spend that much.
The median wedding cost is the middle amount that couples spend. It means half of all couples spend more, and half spend less. In 2025, studies show that the median cost of a U.S. wedding is between $10,000 and $17,000.
This is very different from the average cost (about $36,000), which is pulled higher by big-budget weddings in cities like New York or Los Angeles. The median is not affected by extreme spending, so it gives a better idea of what a typical couple actually spends.
Example:
If five couples spend:
$5,000 → $10,000 → $15,000 → $20,000 → $100,000
In this case, the average is much higher because of one luxury wedding, but the median shows the real middle.
So, if you're budgeting your own wedding, the median cost is usually the better number to trust. It reflects what most couples can realistically afford.
To help you get a clearer picture, here’s a breakdown of average vs. estimated median wedding costs by state. Use this as a realistic starting point to budget smarter based on where you live or where you’re planning to tie the knot.
State / DC |
Average Cost (2025) |
Estimated Median Cost |
New Jersey |
$57,706 |
$15,000 – $20,000 |
New York |
$47,800 – $53,873 |
$15,000 – $20,000 |
Washington, D.C. |
$42,480 – $70,625 |
$15,000 – $20,000 |
Rhode Island |
$49207 |
$15,000 – $20,000 |
Massachusetts |
$45,000 |
$15,000 – $20,000 |
California |
$39,170 |
$12,000 – $18,000 |
Connecticut |
$40,300 |
$12,000 – $18,000 |
Delaware |
$38,880 |
$12,000 – $18,000 |
Illinois |
$38,100 |
$12,000 – $18,000 |
Maryland |
$39,460 |
$12,000 – $18,000 |
Florida |
$32,560 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Texas |
$30,000 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Colorado |
$31,130 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Pennsylvania |
$35,310 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Virginia |
$33,760 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Georgia |
$28,800 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Arizona |
$26,830 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Ohio |
$28,300 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Michigan |
$28,330 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Washington |
$26,380 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
North Carolina |
$29,060 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Alabama |
$27,000 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Missouri |
$25,040 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Wisconsin |
$28,730 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Kentucky |
$21,680 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Arkansas |
$18,700 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Nebraska |
$20,870 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Nevada |
$19,890 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Utah |
$17,380 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Idaho |
$17,380 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Mississippi |
$21,280 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
Wyoming |
$16,750 |
$10,000 – $17,000 |
While every couple spends differently, most of the budget usually goes toward the venue, food, and photography. Other big costs include flowers, entertainment, and clothes.
Knowing these major expenses ahead of time can help you plan your budget more wisely. Let’s take a closer look at which wedding costs add up the most.
Expense Category |
Average Cost (USD) |
Percentage of Total Budget |
Venue (including rentals) |
$10,000 – $15,000 |
30–40% |
Catering (food & beverages) |
$8,000 – $12,000 |
20–30% |
Photography & Videography |
$3,000 – $6,000 |
10–15% |
Floral Design & Decor |
$2,500 – $6,000 |
8–12% |
Attire (Dress, Suit, Accessories) |
$1,500 – $4,000 |
5–8% |
Entertainment (DJ or Band) |
$1,000 – $3,500 |
5–10% |
Planner/Coordinator |
$1,500 – $4,000 |
5–7% |
Stationery (Invites, Programs) |
$300 – $1,000 |
1–2% |
Favors & Gifts |
$200 – $800 |
<2% |
Transportation |
$300 – $1,000 |
1–2% |
Your venue is the single most expensive part of your celebration. Based on recent numbers, couples used almost 30% of their entire wedding fund just on the venue, roughly $8,000 out of a $33,000 budget.
For example, venues in the Bay Area are known to be pricey. Many couples in that region spend around $25,000 just for the location alone. If you're looking to reduce this expense, consider getting married during off-peak months (outside the May to October season) or on a less common day like a Sunday or weekday, which tend to cost less than the popular Saturday evenings.
Food and beverages are typically the second-biggest expense. On average, couples allocate about 20% of their total wedding budget which works out to around $6,000 for catering.
This cost can go up if your caterer also provides items like tables, chairs, linens, cutlery, and glassware because your venue doesn’t include them. In some situations, you’ll need to rent these from a separate company, which can require setting aside even more of your budget.
Capturing your special moments is usually important, and many couples devote about 12% of their budget, or close to $4,000, to photography and videography.
If you’re watching your spending closely, you might consider hiring a photographer for only a portion of the day or choosing a simpler package without extras like albums or prints.
Entertainment is another key part of the wedding experience. Expect to spend around 9% of your overall budget, or roughly $3,000, for a band or DJ. Some couples go beyond this with add-ons like photo booths, live artists, or interactive drink stations.
Floral arrangements such as bouquets, ceremony décor, and centerpieces tend to take up around 8% of the total budget about $2,640 on a $33,000 spend.
You can save money by choosing locally grown blooms or high-quality silk flowers instead of rare or imported varieties.
Outfits including dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories usually take up about 7% of the total cost, or $2,310. Renting or borrowing your outfit is a great way to save, especially if you're open to pre-loved fashion or secondhand pieces.
Hiring a planner or coordinator takes up about 6% of the average budget, which is approximately $2,000. While skipping a planner may seem like an easy way to cut costs, it’s worth considering at least a partial planning service.
It’s easy to overlook smaller items like invitations, the wedding cake, and the officiant’s fee, but they matter too. These usually add up to about 1% to 3% of the total budget, which equals between $330 and $990.
The "average wedding cost" often shows a much higher number than what most couples actually spend. Here's why:
The average wedding cost is useful when you want to see overall spending trends or how much the wedding industry makes. It includes all weddings such as big, small, and very expensive ones so it helps vendors and planners understand the full market.
But if you're a couple planning your own wedding, the median cost is a better number to use. It shows what most couples actually spend, without being affected by a few super expensive weddings.
The median gives you a more realistic idea of what a typical wedding might cost, especially if you're trying to stick to a budget or plan something more simple and personal.
We’ve covered the key differences between median and average wedding costs and why that difference matters when you’re planning your big day.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by big numbers, remember: you don’t need a six-figure budget to have a beautiful wedding.
Use the median as your guide, plan around your priorities, and make choices that fit your style.
Yes, even small weddings can be pricey depending on the venue, vendors, and style. But with fewer guests, it’s easier to manage costs and using the median cost as a guide can help you stay on track.
The median wedding cost is especially helpful for budget-conscious couples, those planning smaller or DIY weddings, and anyone getting married outside of major cities. If you're not going all-out with luxury vendors or hosting hundreds of guests, the average wedding cost can feel unrealistic. Instead, the median gives you a more down-to-earth costing idea that makes it a smarter guide for setting a wedding budget.
Yes, average costs can be helpful for understanding overall industry trends, especially for vendors or planners. But for couples planning their own wedding, averages often reflect the high end not the norm.
Yes! Many couples create stunning weddings on a $10,000–$17,000 budget by prioritizing what matters most, using rentals, going DIY, or trimming the guest list. The key is smart planning, not how much you spend.