Ever dreamt of a fairy-tale wedding but balk at the monetary commitment required? According to The Knot's wedding study, the national average cost of a wedding in 2025 is projected at a staggering $33,000, suggesting that even the most magical occasion can come with significant financial planning anxieties. However, with prudent budgeting and strategic planning, this worry can be subdued significantly.
The ongoing inflation of wedding costs can be attributed to various factors, such as the escalating average age for first-time marriages. The average age of brides has risen from 24 to 28 from 1990 to 2024, indicting that couples are more likely to have accumulated a considerable sum for their big day. Nevertheless, even if you're planning to spend less than $10,000, a financial plan is inevitable, just as you would for purchasing a house.
For the majority, starting with a total budget and figuring out the details afterward proves effective. For instance, if you're hiring a wedding planner, providing them with a maximum budget gives them a structure to design your celebration. So, if your total budget is $20,000 and the venue of your dreams costs $15,000, you're left with the challenge, albeit a feasible one, of finding deals and cutting costs for everything else, or reconsidering the venue.
Strategic saving strategies often pave the way to an exceptional wedding without draining your pockets. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, only 2% of couples got hitched in January, thus considering off-peak times can help lower costs. Sensible saving and diligent bargain hunting can help set a workable budget, meaning that though the average wedding cost might be intimidating, with the right planning, you can still manage to have your dream wedding without doing irreparable damage to your savings.