Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce not too long ago introduced their engagement after two years of courting, and whereas the pop icon and NFL star can actually afford a lavish celebration, most {couples} planning a 2025 wedding ceremony are going through a really totally different monetary actuality.
With Could to October being the preferred season for weddings, every part from venues to floral preparations comes at a premium and prices are climbing sooner than ever.
Whether or not your little one simply stated “sure” or your grandchild is beginning to have a look at venues, it’s value understanding what a contemporary wedding ceremony actually prices and the place you may be requested to assist out.
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The engagement ring is only the start
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Earlier than you even hear the phrases “save the date,” a giant chunk of cash has already been spent.
In line with The Knot, the common engagement ring value in 2025 is round $5,200, with customized designs, lab-grown diamonds and brand-name strain pushing that determine even larger.
Whereas the custom of spending three months’ wage on a hoop could also be outdated, the expectation of one thing sparkly and social media–worthy could be very a lot alive. And for a lot of {couples}, the strain begins right here.
Pre-wedding occasions can rival the large day
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
As soon as the engagement is official, the pre-wedding occasion parade begins and it isn’t only one celebration anymore. This may embody every part from:
- engagement events
- bridal showers
- bachelor/bachelorette journeys
- welcome dinners
- rehearsal brunches
What was one evening out at a neighborhood bar or a gathering at residence with shut pals is now usually a weekend-long vacation spot occasion, particularly for bachelor and bachelorette events. Vegas, Nashville, Cabo and even Europe at the moment are high picks and so they’re not low cost.
One survey confirmed that company spend a mean of $1,500 on bachelor/bachelorette journeys and that’s simply company, not the couple.
Whenever you think about flights, lodge rooms, outfits, meals and actions like social gathering buses or personal boat leases, pre-wedding celebrations can rival the precise wedding ceremony in value and scope. Multiply that by two or three occasions, and also you’re one other $5,000 –$7,000+ earlier than the large day.
The marriage day price ticket retains climbing
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Weddings have at all times been dear, however 2025 is setting new information.
In line with trade knowledge, the nationwide common value of a marriage is now $35,000–$38,000, with some metro areas (like New York Metropolis or San Francisco) pushing properly over $50,000.
Right here’s the place the cash usually goes:
- Venue rental: $12,000+
- Catering (per individual): $80–$150
- Open bar: $3,000–$6,000
- Photographer/videographer: $4,000+
- Florals and decor: $3,500+
- Marriage ceremony apparel: $2,000–$4,000
- Leisure: $2,500–$5,000
Inflation hasn’t helped. Rising prices for meals, alcohol and flowers (blame world provide chain points and excessive climate) have made even easy weddings costlier.
Wish to reduce prices with a “DIY” strategy? Be conscious that point, power and hidden charges (like leases and labor) can rapidly add up, particularly should you’re planning throughout peak season. However a DIY strategy doesn’t must imply doing every part your self. Relatively, it may add a private and cost-saving contact in the correct locations.
For instance, possibly the couple skips the high-end bakery and invitations a talented residence baker to do a tasting for reception desserts. Or they accomplice with a more recent florist or photographer who affords reductions in trade for portfolio-building.
Networking inside your neighborhood like pals, small enterprise homeowners, and native distributors can uncover hidden gems at a fraction of the value.
Don’t overlook the honeymoon
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
After all of the planning, celebrating and months of coordinating, the honeymoon is that first breath of calm and bliss for a newly married couple. The typical honeymoon in 2025 prices between $5,000 and $7,500, relying on the vacation spot.
With airfare, resort charges and journey insurance coverage all climbing, it’s not unusual for worldwide journeys to push $10,000+, particularly if the couple is heading to a “bucket checklist” vacation spot like Greece, the Maldives or Japan.
And in contrast to weddings, honeymoons are usually paid for solely by the couple, although some trendy registries now let company “sponsor” excursions or airfare. Mother and father and grandparents who need to make a significant contribution can usually assist right here.
Protecting a number of nights’ lodging, gifting airline miles and even scouting out nice journey offers is usually a fantastic gesture that lifts a few of the monetary load whereas including a private contact of help.
When {couples} look again years later, they received’t keep in mind the precise catering invoice or chair rental worth, however they will do not forget that once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Do mother and father nonetheless assist pay?
(Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Traditionally, it was custom for the bride’s household to cowl most wedding ceremony prices. However in at the moment’s world, that mannequin doesn’t at all times match. Millennial and Gen Z {couples} usually tend to pay for weddings themselves, or break up prices with each units of oldsters.
However, many mother and father and grandparents nonetheless need to contribute in significant methods.
In line with a survey by The Knot:
- Mother and father nonetheless contribute to 82% of wedding ceremony budgets, on common.
- Round 50% of {couples} funded their honeymoon on their very own and the opposite half obtained monetary assist from mother and father and presents from wedding ceremony company.
- Millennials and Gen Z {couples} are extra probably to make use of private financial savings or take out wedding ceremony loans.
- Many households are choosing “shared budgets” the place every social gathering contributes what they’ll towards a standard aim.
The secret’s discovering what’s sensible to your price range. Which may imply providing to pay for a single ingredient, such because the rehearsal dinner, images or the honeymoon as an alternative of attempting to cowl every part.
Splitting prices with the opposite set of oldsters or prolonged kinfolk also can assist even out the monetary help and make the method extra collaborative. {Couples} usually respect thoughtfulness and teamwork simply as a lot because the greenback quantity.
And right here’s one thing necessary to recollect: whereas weddings actually include a price ticket, understanding the prices prematurely provides households time to plan, save and make considerate selections.
Backside line: Not everybody can “shake it off” like Taylor
Weddings at the moment are a mix of custom, personalization and Instagrammable moments. Right this moment’s costs mirror it as {couples} are going through huge choices and even larger budgets.
Should you’re supporting a cherished one by their wedding ceremony journey, the perfect present could also be a mixture of monetary help and sensible recommendation. And should you’re the one planning, know that it is okay to set limits, skip tendencies and concentrate on what issues most: celebrating love, not chasing likes.
