{"id":218,"date":"2022-03-04T23:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T23:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spruce-dev.chemistry.digital\/?p=218"},"modified":"2024-06-28T18:56:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T18:56:10","slug":"how-much-does-a-wedding-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/spending\/how-much-does-a-wedding-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"How much does a wedding cost?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you recently engaged and hear a faint ringing in your head? Is that church bells chiming or a cash register? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the case, the average wedding isn’t cheap. In fact, in 2021 the average wedding costs $22,500.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you get engaged, you might find yourself in a mad dash to figure out what wedding costs to prioritize and determine a budget for your special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the idea of wedding costs is starting to make you and your fianc\u00e9 sweat, don\u2019t worry \u2014 you\u2019ve got this! With some good sense and a good plan, you\u2019ll be able to determine how much your wedding is going to cost by prioritizing your needs and creating a sensible wedding budget. Plus, the team at Spruce is here to help you with budgeting tips for your wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n

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To get a general idea of how much people spend on their wedding, we\u2019ll outline the average cost for things like a ring, catering, cake, a dress, and a wedding planner below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need help saving for your wedding?<\/strong> Spruce mobile banking can help you take steps saving toward your big day. With Spruce\u2019s saving goal feature<\/a>, you can choose to put away money automatically for your goal. You can also use our savings calculator<\/a> to figure out how long it may take to reach your goal of saving for your wedding!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try the mobile banking app with personalized budgeting tools. Check out Spruce today. <\/h3>
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Get started<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Spruce fintech platform is built by H&R Block, which is not a bank. Bank products by Pathward\u00ae, N.A., Member FDIC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much money should you spend on a wedding ring or engagement ring?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first major expense of your wedding journey is a ring. When determining how much money you should spend on a wedding ring (or engagement ring), your personal finances and preferences should be a big part of this decision. Like many wedding-related expenses, you need to strike a balance between making it special and staying within your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One rule of thumb you\u2019ve probably heard is that you should spend the equivalent of three months of your salary on a ring. While many engaged couples have followed that rule, it can be an unnecessary financial burden \u2014 especially considering that this \u201crule\u201d was created around a marketing campaign, not financial advice.2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, you can spend anywhere from less than a hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the type of ring you get. For example, you could swap a diamond for cubic zirconia or a more affordable lab-grown diamond and save thousands of dollars. Or, as is increasingly popular among couples, opt for a minimalist metal wedding band.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average wedding cost breakdown<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every couple \u2014 and every wedding \u2014 is different, so any average wedding cost breakdown is only intended to give you a sense of what others spend. Ultimately, your wedding costs will depend on you and your soon-to-be spouse\u2019s priorities. Once you determine which aspects of your wedding are the most important, you can budget<\/a> accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter your wedding plans, it\u2019s helpful to know the average couple spends on these major wedding costs to determine what is a reasonable amount to allocate to these items in your wedding budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average price for wedding catering:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Serving a memorable meal is a priority for most weddings. In addition, many couples want to offer wine, beer, and mixed drinks to their guests. While the average price for wedding catering is around $70 per head, wedding catering prices can fluctuate based on the number of guests, venue, and the type of celebration.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average wedding cake cost:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
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The wedding cake is a big part of the American wedding tradition. While the average wedding cake cost is around $350,3<\/sup> there are many more affordable options depending on how elaborate you want your wedding cake to be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average wedding dress cost:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The price tag for your bridal gown can also vary based on the brand, fabric, embellishments, and the like. However, on average, wedding dress costs were around $1,600 in 2020.1<\/sup>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be mindful of the fact that alterations and custom modifications can increase the price of the dress. Beyond this, your veil, shoes, purse, and other accessories can add up, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average price of a wedding planner:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A wedding planner can be the smallest or largest cost of your wedding budget. Speaking in terms of the average price of a wedding planner, couples spent $1,500 in 2020.1<\/sup>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind, the final cost depends on how involved you want them to be in the process and if you need them for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n