What the average wedding costs in the 25 biggest cities across the US
- The Knot, a digital marketplace for engaged couples, released a Real Weddings Study that breaks down the trends of US nuptials.
- One of the 2018 report's categories is the cost of weddings in the 25 largest metro areas of the United States.
- The cost per event ranged from $22,352 to $76,938. New York weddings were the most expensive, with couples spending over $30,000 on a venue.
- Venues were the most expensive part of the wedding for each city, but the fee for live music also played a significant role in the overall cost.
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The wedding website The Knot conducts an annual "Real Wedding" survey that looks at the trends of American nuptials.
The study includes a breakdown of weddings in the biggest metro areas of the US, based on cost.
The price per wedding ranges from just over to $20,000 to almost $77,000 in these cities, according to the 2018 study.
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Portland, Oregon: $22,352
Weddings in Portland were the most affordable of the list.
The Knot found that venues in the city are cheaper as compared to other big metropolitan areas. On average, a venue costs $9,497 in Portland, according to The Knot.
Seattle, Washington: $23,511
Washington weddings were also on the more affordable end, according to The Knot, with couples saving money in the decor and cake categories.
The biggest spend aside from the venue was a reception band. The Knot study said couples spent an average of $2,524 on a band in Seattle.
Phoenix, Arizona: $25,705
On average, The Knot said couples spend $13,512 to reserve a venue in Phoenix, which is about half the overall cost of a wedding there.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: $27,263
Minneapolis wedding costs aren't that high when you break them down, according to the study, but couples are having to spend more because they have large events.
On average, couples host 165 people at their weddings in Minneapolis, according to The Knot's study.
Sacramento, California: $28,021
Much like Seattle, couples in Sacramento shell out a lot of cash for a reception band.
The average cost for reception band was $3,563 in Sacramento for 2018, according to The Knot's study.
Orlando, Florida: $28,127
The city that's home to the most magical place on earth falls in the middle price range of the list.
Couples in Orlando spend more on flowers as compared to other states. The Knot's study estimates they set aside $2,234 on average for floral arrangements.
Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina: $28,639
The cost of a band spikes in North Carolina, with couples spending $4,135 on average for live music, according to The Knot.
The study estimates that DJ costs are much less at $1,146 in the area.
Denver, Colorado: $29,804
Couples in Denver spend more money on photography as compared to other big metro areas. The Knot's study estimates the average cost of photography was $2,558 for the area in 2018.
But considering the scenic backgrounds available in the state, the price makes sense.
St. Louis, Missouri: $30,064
The cost per guest is fairly high in St. Louis, with couples spending $277 on each person who attends their wedding, according to The Knot.
Cleveland, Ohio: $30,171
One of the biggest costs for Cleveland couples is the bride's wedding ensemble.
The Knot reports brides from the city spend $1,896 on their look for the day.
Dallas, Texas: $31,100
It seems that food is important to couples in Dallas, as they spend a lot more on cake as compared to other big city dwellers.
According to The Knot, the 2018 average cake cost in the area was $709, while those in similar cities spent closer to $400.
Atlanta, Georgia: $32,944
Venue prices have spiked in Atlanta as the city continues to boom.
The average cost per venue was $14,108 in 2018, according to The Knot.
Tampa, Florida: $33,010
Although the overall price is high, Tampa weddings are smaller in size compared to other cities on the list, according to The Knot's data.
The average number of attendees for 2018 was 106.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: $33,736
Wedding venues in Pittsburgh cost over $15,000 on average, according to The Knot.
Detroit, Michigan: $35,307
Videographer fees tend to be high in Detroit. The Knot said couples paid around $2,076 for videography in 2018.
Houston, Texas: $35,333
Like in Dallas, flowers play a significant role in the overall cost of a Houston wedding.
Couples paid $3,133 on average just for flowers in 2018, according to The Knot.
Baltimore, Maryland: $39,166
The Knot study found Baltimore couples paid an average of $5,566 to have a live band at their weddings in 2018.
Los Angeles, California: $42,637
Wedding venues cost almost as much as yearly college tuition in Los Angeles, according to the study.
The average total pricetag for LA in 2018 was $42,637, according to The Knot.
Washington, DC: $39,801
Bands are pretty pricey in DC, with The Knot reporting couples paid $4,411 on average.
San Francisco, California: $41,340
The cost of the bride's attire contributes a large chunk to San Francisco's wedding budgets.
Most brides spend over $2,000 on their attire in the area, according to The Knot's study.
Miami, Florida: $42,595
The most affordable aspect of a wedding in Miami is the groom's attire, which The Knot estimated is around $343 on average.
Boston, Massachusetts: $44,556
A wedding band in Boston costs almost $6,000, according to The Knot's study.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $46,639
The Knot found that the average cost of a wedding reception in Philadelphia was $23,579 in 2018 — a large chunk of the total wedding cost.
Chicago, Illinois: $48,309
The average cost for Chicago includes the surrounding suburbs.
If the study had only looked at weddings that take place within the city limits, the cost would actually be $60,294 on average, according to The Knot.
New York, New York: $76,938
The Knot study said that New York weddings were by far the most expensive, and it was lower than it could have been because it included the cost of weddings in the surrounding boroughs.
The cost of Manhattan weddings is almost $100,000 per event.
New Yorkers spend more than couples who live in other big cities in every category, including $33,368 on a venue.
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