Home > Average cost of a wedding increases 21.9% from $19,581 to $23,867

Wedding Cost Q1-2 2010

In the first half of 2010 the average cost of a wedding increased 21.9% from $19,581 (2009) to $23,867. 45 product and services saw gains in spending while 26 saw declines. Planner/Consultant A La Carte Services (up 84.2% at $1,171), Gift/s for the Bride (up 53.1% at $253), and Planner/Consultant For Getting Started (up 50.4% at $920) saw the biggest gain in spending. Other Jewelry (down 61.7% at $304), Reception Accessories (down 55.3% at $200), and Ceremony Accessories (down 49.7% at $207) saw the biggest decline in spending.

The biggest difference was the increase in demand for products and services. 53 products and services saw gains in demand, 4 saw no change, while 13 saw declines. Other Travel/Transportation (up 178.6%), Musician/s, Soloist, or Ensemble (up 66.7%), and Other Jewelry (up 65.2%) saw the biggest gain in demand. Facial (down 15.2%), Manicure & Pedicure (down 8.4%), and Teeth Whitening (down 8.1%) saw the biggest decline in demand.

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Methodology

7/12/2010 – 3,429 survey samples were collected between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 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 vendors.  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 2010 and early 2011 wedding. Samples from vendors were collected as part of the State of the Industry study. No incentive was offered for participation. Total wedding cost based on weighted average demand of items included in the wedding.

Collection of data for this study included the following WISN participants:

mywedding.com
OneWed
Perfect Wedding Guide
Green Bride Guide
Cost of Wedding
WE tv Networks Wedding Report
Real Simple
eleGALA