The average cost of a wedding increased 22.9% in 2010, from $19,581 (2009) to $24,066 (2010). This is great news for a struggling wedding industry. 50 products and services saw an increase in spending with wedding planning services out performing all other categories, up 23% to 77%. Accessories, Beauty, Health and Spa took the biggest hit in spending down between -10% and -65%. We believe that renewed consumer confidence and an increase in the number of guest from 128 (2009) to 141 (2010) contributed to the increase in spending and demand for products and services. The average cost includes all items except the Engagement Ring. The average wedding cost is the weighted average demand.
Wedding Spending
| Category | Item |
2009 |
2010 |
% Chg |
| Market Totals | Average Wedding Cost |
$19,581 |
$24,066 |
22.9% |
| Category | Item |
2009 |
2010 |
% Chg |
| Attire & Accessories | Bride Accessories |
$152 |
$144 |
-5.0% |
| Groom Accessories |
$157 |
$111 |
-29.1% |
|
| Suit (purchased) |
$204 |
$296 |
44.9% |
|
| Suit (rented) |
$147 |
$144 |
-2.1% |
|
| Tuxedo (purchased) |
$509 |
$510 |
0.3% |
|
| Tuxedo (rented) |
$122 |
$135 |
11.0% |
|
| Veil |
$103 |
$119 |
15.7% |
|
| Wedding Dress |
$1,031 |
$1,053 |
2.2% |
|
| Wedding Dress Preservation |
$192 |
$249 |
29.8% |
|
| Beauty, Health & Spa | Diet, Weight Loss, Gym |
$450 |
$306 |
-31.9% |
| Facial |
$68 |
$68 |
0.1% |
|
| Hair Removal |
$158 |
$152 |
-3.5% |
|
| Hair Service |
$81 |
$71 |
-12.0% |
|
| Makeup Service |
$64 |
$60 |
-6.4% |
|
| Manicure & Pedicure |
$52 |
$47 |
-10.0% |
|
| Massage |
$76 |
$74 |
-2.8% |
|
| Teeth Whitening |
$214 |
$174 |
-18.8% |
|
| Entertainment | Dance Lessons |
$383 |
$455 |
18.9% |
| DJ |
$745 |
$748 |
0.4% |
|
| Live Band |
$1,711 |
$1,751 |
2.3% |
|
| Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble |
$668 |
$559 |
-16.3% |
|
| Flowers & Decorations | Boutonnieres, Corsages |
$105 |
$134 |
27.4% |
| Bridal Bouquet |
$131 |
$139 |
6.2% |
|
| Bridesmaid Bouquets |
$124 |
$180 |
44.8% |
|
| Ceremony Decorations |
$254 |
$235 |
-7.3% |
|
| Ceremony Flower Arrangements |
$247 |
$298 |
20.5% |
|
| Flower Girl Flowers |
$77 |
$86 |
11.2% |
|
| Flower Petals |
$82 |
$88 |
7.6% |
|
| Reception Decorations |
$306 |
$287 |
-6.1% |
|
| Reception Flower Arrangements |
$361 |
$348 |
-3.6% |
|
| Reception Table Centerpieces |
$325 |
$366 |
12.5% |
|
| Gifts & Favors | Gift/s for Attendants |
$188 |
$196 |
4.5% |
| Gift/s for Parents |
$150 |
$148 |
-1.5% |
|
| Gift/s for the Bride |
$165 |
$202 |
22.7% |
|
| Gift/s for the Groom |
$180 |
$188 |
4.7% |
|
| Wedding Favors |
$257 |
$262 |
1.8% |
|
| Invitations | Ceremony Programs |
$92 |
$110 |
19.8% |
| Guest Book |
$57 |
$59 |
3.9% |
|
| Invitations & Reply Cards |
$234 |
$255 |
9.2% |
|
| Reception Menus |
$86 |
$119 |
38.4% |
|
| Save the Date Cards |
$105 |
$125 |
18.7% |
|
| Table or Place Cards |
$66 |
$84 |
27.2% |
|
| Thank You Cards |
$77 |
$94 |
22.0% |
|
| Jewelry | Earrings |
$118 |
$131 |
11.0% |
| Engagement Ring |
$3,186 |
$3,465 |
8.7% |
|
| Necklace |
$141 |
$141 |
-0.1% |
|
| Other Jewelry |
$794 |
$281 |
-64.6% |
|
| Wedding Band – Bride |
$1,073 |
$1,108 |
3.3% |
|
| Wedding Band – Groom |
$752 |
$754 |
0.2% |
|
| Photography & Video | Wedding Photographer |
$1,740 |
$1,777 |
2.1% |
| Wedding Videographer |
$1,269 |
$1,152 |
-9.2% |
|
| Planner/Consultant | A La Carte Services |
$636 |
$1,123 |
76.6% |
| Day of Coordinator |
$695 |
$845 |
21.6% |
|
| For Getting Started |
$612 |
$880 |
43.8% |
|
| Full Service |
$2,024 |
$2,491 |
23.1% |
|
| Month of Direction |
$1,008 |
$1,302 |
29.2% |
|
| Transportation | Limo Rental |
$514 |
$487 |
-5.2% |
| Other Travel |
$386 |
$420 |
8.7% |
|
| Travel for Guests |
$710 |
$715 |
0.7% |
|
| Venue & Catering | Ceremony Accessories |
$412 |
$206 |
-50.1% |
| Ceremony Location |
$914 |
$937 |
2.5% |
|
| Ceremony Officiator |
$204 |
$219 |
7.5% |
|
| Hotel Room for After Reception |
$255 |
$281 |
10.1% |
|
| Reception Accessories |
$448 |
$203 |
-54.7% |
|
| Reception Bar Service |
$2,055 |
$2,207 |
7.4% |
|
| Reception Food Service |
$3,499 |
$4,339 |
24.0% |
|
| Reception Location |
$2,483 |
$2,672 |
7.6% |
|
| Reception Rentals |
$1,371 |
$1,385 |
1.0% |
|
| Rehearsal Dinner |
$727 |
$865 |
19.0% |
|
| Tips |
$369 |
$374 |
1.4% |
|
| Wedding Cake |
$352 |
$386 |
9.7% |
Methodology
5,977 survey samples were collected between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010. Samples were collected through 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 brides, grooms (pre and post wedding) and wedding professionals. Samples from brides and grooms 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 2010 or spent money for a product or service in 2010 for their 2011 wedding. Samples from vendors were collected as part of the State of the Industry study. Total wedding cost based on weighted average demand of items included in the wedding.
Collection of data included the following WISN participants:
mywedding.com
Perfect Wedding Guide
Cost of Wedding
OneWed
Green Bride Guide
Project Wedding
Real Simple
eleGALA
My Trio Rings
BrideClick.net