How Much an Average US Wedding Costs in 2024 vs. 2020
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Summertime officially means that it is wedding season. There is so much to celebrate in a ceremony and party all focused on the love between two people. However, as anyone who has ever been to the altar can tell you, it can cost a lot of money to get married. Between the venue rental, the catering costs, the staff, the flowers and onward — all those expenses add up.
Weddings Looked Different in 2020
In 2024, the price tag for a wedding might look a little different than one in 2020. Four years ago, many people had to cancel their weddings due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and if they did opt for one, it was usually much smaller, done at home, with friends and family watching on Zoom.
“Even without the COVID effect, wedding costs have still definitely gone up considerably since 2020,” said Anji Martin, a wedding and engagement photographer, as well as co-owner of Potok’s World Photography. “A lot of that was driven by the post-pandemic surge in demand for weddings that occurred in 2021 and 2022. Just about as soon as bigger celebrations were allowed again, people rushed out to book dates.”
Since the world has reopened after the COVID-19 lockdown, weddings are indeed back in full swing, including pricewise.
“In fact, demand was so high in 2021 that many couples had to wait until 2022 to get their preferred venues,” Martin added. “Naturally, prices went way up in response. And though demand cooled off to ‘normal’ levels in 2023, wedding costs have stayed at those initial post-pandemic levels.”
“The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. has significantly increased since 2020. In 2020, it was approximately $19,000, but now it has surged to around $35,000,” said Rasa Urbonaite, the CMO of Breezit, a wedding and event organization based in California.
“This escalation can be attributed to factors such as inflation, higher vendor expenses and a growing demand for unique experiences, including destination weddings,” Urbonaite explained. “Prices for venues and catering have risen, while some expenses, like decorations, have stabilized or even decreased as couples increasingly favor eco-friendly and sustainable options.”
The Cost of an Average Wedding: 2020 vs. 2024
“Over the past four years, the cost of weddings has seen significant changes due to various economic factors, including inflation and changes in consumer preferences,” said Peter Gill, a destination wedding planner at Your Bali Wedding, offering a breakdown of the key expenses and how they have shifted.
Venue
- 2020: Approximately $10,000
- 2024: Around $12,000 to $15,000, primarily due to increased demand and higher operational costs
Catering
- 2020: About $70 per person
- 2024: Average $100 to $120 per person, reflecting increased food prices and higher labor costs
Photography and Videography
- 2020: Around $2,500
- 2024: About $3,500 to $4,500 due to advancements in technology and increased demand for high-quality services
Flowers and Decorations
- 2020: Average $2,000
- 2024: From $3,000 to $4,000, influenced by supply chain disruptions and a greater emphasis on elaborate floral designs
Wedding Attire
- 2020: A wedding dress averaged $1,600, and a suit was about $300.
- 2024: Dresses now average $2,000 to $2,500, while suits are around $500, reflecting inflation and changing fashion trends.
Wedding Trends Are Always Changing
There are a lot of new trends taking place in 2024 when it comes to weddings, ones which aim to shake up the hoity-toity nature of the event, but also to save money in the process, so the happy couple does not start their new life together in debt.
“Current trends in weddings include eco-friendly and intimate ceremonies, as well as the integration of technology for guest interaction,” said Urbonaite. “In contrast, elaborate and formal weddings are becoming less common, as couples prefer more relaxed and meaningful celebrations. These shifting trends reflect evolving societal values and the preferences of couples as they plan their special day.”
Micro Weddings
Gill, too, has noticed trends shifting, with micro weddings being the most notable, in an effort to switch it up and make weddings more affordable.
Smaller, more intimate gatherings with fewer than 50 guests are in right now, according to Gill.
“The COVID-19 pandemic initially spurred this trend, which has continued due to its cost-effectiveness and personal feel,” he said.
Wedding Trends That Are In for 2024
Along with micro weddings, these trends are more popular this year.
Eco-Friendly Weddings
Gill described these weddings as ones that are focusing on sustainability, such as using recycled materials and eco-friendly venues.
“Growing environmental awareness among couples has driven this trend,” Gill noted.
Aurelija Gintaliene, the COO and co-founder of Breezit, agreed. “… One trend that is kicking off is sustainability. Couples are looking to reduce waste, use organically sourced food and even opt for biodegradable décor, all for the sake of preserving the environment.”
Destination Weddings
“Couples are choosing unique locations for their ceremonies, often combining the wedding and honeymoon,” said Gill. “The desire for unique and memorable experiences has made this trend popular.”
Gintaliene added that couples are choosing “more focused themes and more intimate settings. It is now a common occurrence to see a wedding taking place in a vineyard, a museum or even a forest. These unique trends will require the entire wedding décor, attire and food to follow these themes — all of which are costly.”
Wedding Trends That Are Out for 2024
On the other hand, couples are leaning away from these two trends.
Large, Extravagant Weddings
Big weddings with hundreds of guests are a thing of the past. Gill believes the reason behind this shift is due to couples wanting “more personalized and intimate celebrations,” which has made these huge weddings much less popular — as well as far cheaper.
Traditional Wedding Cakes
Classic, multi-tiered wedding cakes tend to not be as present as they once were, even four years ago. Gill has noticed that many couples are opting for dessert tables or alternative sweets like cupcakes or donuts.
“The primary factors influencing these changes include inflation, supply chain disruptions and shifting consumer preferences,” Gill concluded. “The pandemic accelerated many trends, such as micro weddings and outdoor ceremonies, which continue to be popular.”
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