10 States Where It Costs the Most To Be a Bride

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Beauty is pain, they say, and when it comes to walking down the aisle, that pain may be felt most acutely in your bank account. Typically brides shell out quite the dowry, if you will, on a dazzling white or ivory gown. They also likely splurge on getting their hair and makeup done. 

Perhaps all is fair in love, but all is not fair (as in equal) in what it costs to be a bride across the U.S. In a new study, JJ’s House analyzed prices for various bridal look costs to find how much money brides in each state pay. These are the 10 states where being a traditionally glammed up bride costs the most. 

10. West Virginia

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,400
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $140 
• Total wedding cost: $12,300
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 12.54% 

9. Oregon

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,800
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $350 
• Total wedding cost: $15,600
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 13.79%  

8. Kansas 

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,400
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $200 
• Total wedding cost: $11,600
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 13.79% 

7. Utah 

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,600
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $275 
• Total wedding cost: $13,300
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 14.15% 

6. South Dakota

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,500
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $165 
• Total wedding cost: $11,500
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 14.44% 

5. Alabama

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,800
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $400 
• Total wedding cost: $15,200
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 14.49%

4. Montana 

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,500
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $350 
• Total wedding cost: $12,400
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 14.9% 

3. Idaho

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,500
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $175 
• Total wedding cost: $11,100
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 15.14% 

2. Alaska 

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,900
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $600 
• Total wedding cost: $13,100
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 18.65% 

1. Wyoming

• Average wedding dress cost: $1,500
• Bridal hair and makeup starting cost: $440 
• Total wedding cost: $10,200
• Percentage of wedding budget that goes to bridal costs: 18.93%

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