What the average American wedding costs

Rihanna’s dazzling performance at a lavish Indian wedding has set the internet abuzz, and the biggest topic of discussion isn’t her setlist—but her paycheck.

The singer was reportedly paid £5 million, about $6.3 million, to perform at a pre-wedding party for Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and his bride Radhika Merchant. In the world of weddings, this kind of shelling out is beyond imagination. But these days, what kind of wedding expense is within imagination?

While celebrities and high-profile personalities spare no expense for their extravagant affairs, the reality for average Americans is far more modest. In 2023, the average spend for a wedding ceremony and reception was $35,000, according to wedding planning website The Knot. The Ambanis spent nearly 180 times that, only for Rihanna.

How Are Wedding Expenses Changing?

According data from The Knot’s Real Weddings Study, this average spend on weddings fluctuates depending on location and population. Big, people-dense cities like New York and Chicago can see expenses that reach or exceed $60,000, while less-populated cities can fall far below the national average, dropping sometimes to around $20,000.

Wedding expenses can vary widely depending on larger economic or social conditions. The average cost of weddings and receptions during the pandemic in 2020, for example, dropped from $28,000 to $19,000.

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The Knot’s 2023 study saw 61 percent of newlyweds say that the current state of the economy affected their wedding budget and planning. Some increased their budget in response to the changing economy and inflation, while others allocated and stretched their budgets more carefully. Notably, not many couples reduced their overall spending.

With the economic and political landscape ever-changing, the question arises of how couples can make the best decisions about where to spend their wedding money.

Emily Coyne, a certified wedding and event planner, told Newsweek that couples should first get clear about what’s most important to them. Chiefly, whether their guest list or their wedding vision matters more. Coyne said this decision significantly impacts overall budget allocation.

“Couples think they should start planning a wedding by prioritizing the elements—food, music, decor, etc. However, doing this first is such a mistake,” she said. “The answer of priorities is unique to each couple, but we are seeing a trend of couples placing the overall experience and vision for the wedding ahead of inviting a large guest count. More couples are planning their dream wedding, even if that means only inviting 30 or 60 people, and they are incredibly happy with this decision.”

Beyond this initial discussion of priorities, Coyne advocates for researching all one can about the costs involved in a wedding to make informed choices.

“Education is key,” she said. “Just as you would educate yourself before investing in the stock market, you want to educate yourself before investing in a wedding.”

Does Spending More Lead to a Better Wedding?

Coyne suggests that the best weddings are those that are meaningful to the couple: an aim that can only be reached through discussions about priorities.

“Investing more means that you will have more ability to customize and be selective, and often means a higher caliber of service,” she said. “However, for a couple who doesn’t prioritize those items there is zero reason to spend on them…Planning a thoughtful event does not need to cost six figures, and for some it needs to cost well over that.”

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Coyne confirmed that wedding costs are increasing each year, and the best thing couples can do is design what’s right for them and their situations.

“The best weddings are those that are deeply meaningful to the couple and fulfill their priorities for the day,” she said. “This doesn’t necessarily mean that money is the principal way to achieve this.”