The total average wedding spending for 2011 was $25,631, a 3.4% decrease from the 2010 total of $26,542. When adjusted for inflation, the average wedding cost decreased by almost 6%. Gift/s for Attendants, Wedding Bands, Rehearsal Dinner, Engagement Announcements, and Gift/s for Parents saw the biggest decrease in spending. Planner Full Service, Photo Engagement Session, Ceremony Location, Reception Rentals, and Reception Location saw the biggest increase in spending.
The final US wedding cost numbers for 2011 are in the table below. We will be updating the site within the next month to reflect changes in all areas of the country.
| Category | Item |
2010 |
2011 |
Chg % |
| Total Average Spending | Total |
$26,542 |
$25,631 |
-3.4% |
| Attire & Accessories | Dress Accessories |
$144 |
$148 |
2.8% |
| Headpiece and/or Veil |
$119 |
$107 |
-10.1% |
|
| Tuxedo/suit/other Accessories |
$111 |
$99 |
-10.8% |
|
| Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/purchase |
$271 |
$200 |
-26.2% |
|
| Wedding Dress/es |
$1,053 |
$1,166 |
10.7% |
|
| Beauty & Spa | Hair Service |
$71 |
$66 |
-7.0% |
| Makeup Service |
$60 |
$52 |
-13.3% |
|
| Manicure & Pedicure |
$47 |
$43 |
-8.5% |
|
| Entertainment | DJ |
$748 |
$699 |
-6.6% |
| Live Band |
$1,751 |
$1,542 |
-11.9% |
|
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble |
$559 |
$538 |
-3.8% |
|
| Flowers & Decorations | Boutonnieres, Corsages |
$134 |
$123 |
-8.2% |
| Bridal Bouquet |
$139 |
$132 |
-5.0% |
|
| Bridesmaid Bouquets |
$180 |
$161 |
-10.6% |
|
| Ceremony Decorations |
$235 |
$247 |
5.1% |
|
| Ceremony Flower Arrangements |
$298 |
$277 |
-7.0% |
|
| Flower Girl Flowers |
$86 |
$79 |
-8.1% |
|
| Flower Petals |
$88 |
$84 |
-4.5% |
|
| Reception Decorations |
$287 |
$294 |
2.4% |
|
| Reception Flower Arrangements |
$348 |
$310 |
-10.9% |
|
| Reception Table Centerpieces |
$366 |
$323 |
-11.7% |
|
| Gifts & Favors | Gift/s for Attendants |
$196 |
$100 |
-49.0% |
| Gift/s for Parents |
$148 |
$103 |
-30.4% |
|
| Tips (for all services) |
$374 |
$362 |
-3.2% |
|
| Wedding Favors |
$262 |
$206 |
-21.4% |
|
| Invitations | Ceremony Programs |
$110 |
$99 |
-10.0% |
| Engagement Announcements |
$150 |
$96 |
-36.0% |
|
| Guest Book |
$59 |
$55 |
-6.8% |
|
| Invitations & Reply Cards |
$255 |
$231 |
-9.4% |
|
| Postage |
$85 |
$100 |
17.6% |
|
| Reception Menus |
$119 |
$104 |
-12.6% |
|
| Save the Date Cards |
$125 |
$105 |
-16.0% |
|
| Table Name and Escort/place Cards |
$84 |
$71 |
-15.5% |
|
| Thank You Cards |
$94 |
$84 |
-10.6% |
|
| Jewelry | Engagement Ring |
$3,465 |
$3,231 |
-6.8% |
| Wedding Bands |
$1,862 |
$1,179 |
-36.7% |
|
| Photography & Video | Digital or Photo cd/dvd |
$296 |
$335 |
13.2% |
| Engagement Session |
$335 |
$422 |
26.0% |
|
| Prints and/or Enlargements |
$224 |
$230 |
2.7% |
|
| Traditional Leather Bound Album |
$459 |
$476 |
3.7% |
|
| Wedding Photographer |
$1,777 |
$1,668 |
-6.1% |
|
| Wedding Videographer |
$1,152 |
$1,054 |
-8.5% |
|
| Planner/Consultant | A La Carte Services |
$1,123 |
$987 |
-12.1% |
| Day of Coordinator |
$845 |
$857 |
1.4% |
|
| For Getting Started |
$880 |
$844 |
-4.1% |
|
| Full Service |
$2,491 |
$3,482 |
39.8% |
|
| Month of Direction |
$1,302 |
$1,232 |
-5.4% |
|
| Transportation | Limo Rental |
$487 |
$472 |
-3.1% |
| Other Transportation |
$420 |
$469 |
11.7% |
|
| Venue, Catering & Rentals | Ceremony Accessories |
$206 |
$202 |
-1.9% |
| Ceremony Location |
$937 |
$1,179 |
25.8% |
|
| Ceremony Officiator |
$219 |
$196 |
-10.5% |
|
| Hotel Room for After Reception |
$281 |
$301 |
7.1% |
|
| Reception Accessories |
$203 |
$196 |
-3.4% |
|
| Reception Bar Service |
$2,207 |
$2,463 |
11.6% |
|
| Reception Food Service |
$4,339 |
$4,772 |
10.0% |
|
| Reception Location |
$2,672 |
$3,228 |
20.8% |
|
| Reception Rentals |
$1,385 |
$1,708 |
23.3% |
|
| Rehearsal Dinner |
$865 |
$548 |
-36.6% |
|
| Wedding Cake/dessert |
$386 |
$423 |
9.6% |
Methodology
The final 2011 cost numbers are based on 11,200 survey samples collected between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. Samples were collected through The Wedding Report’s “Wedding Panel” and the multi-channel industry group called “Wedding Industry Survey Network (WISN).” More information about the WISN can be obtained from weddingindustry.org.
Survey samples include both wedding businesses and couples (pre and post wedding). Samples from couples include multiple ethnicities, income levels, first, second, and third plus marriages, ages 18 to 90, across the entire US in large and small cities. Couples either married in 2011 or spent money on items for their 2012 marriage.
The total “Average Cost” is calculated using “Weighted Demand Average,” which is; average spent times demand equals the weighted demand average. Sum of weighted demand averages equals the average cost. Using the WDA instead of a summed average gives a better calculation, because it takes into account all items that a market may purchase.
Wedding Products and Services Tracked
Collection of data included the following WISN participants:
