Whether you love it, hate it, or feel mostly neutral about it, wedding season is right around the corner. It’s a busy season for couples, their families and their friends. But how much does it all cost? The latest CivicScience wedding trends data shed light on the cost of saying “I do” and highlight key changes in spending patterns.
Currently, 13% of U.S. adults say they will either have a wedding or have already had a wedding this year. An additional 8% have plans for 2025 or later (n=2,000+ responses in April 2024).
The percentage of those having wedding receptions is up six points this year, with those choosing to have a reception immediately following the wedding increasing from 41% in 2023 to 48% in 2024. The percentage of those not having a reception at all has declined, while those planning for a later date has largely remained steady year-over-year, despite waning COVID-19 concerns.
Spending on the Decline, Smaller Weddings Becoming the Norm
Although plans for receptions are up, plans for spending are down. Last year, 37% planned to spend less than $10,000 on a wedding. This year, 39% say the same. On the other end of the spectrum, the highest spenders have also decreased from 13% who planned to spend $50K+ in 2023 to just 8% who now say the same.
For the wedding industry, that could mean smaller, scaled-back weddings. The majority of people getting married this year plan to have a wedding of fewer than 50 guests (53%), while less than a third say they will invite more than 50 people (31%). Additionally, travel is on the radar for some – 17% say they will have a destination wedding (n=700+ responses in April 2024).
Of course, attire is key on your wedding day, but brides and grooms display unique differences when it comes to where they’re shopping. As the data show, women are the most likely to go to a local boutique, while men prefer a department store.
And before you quip about the cost of a wedding dress, it’s important to note that women are more likely than men to be spending $100 or less on their wedding wear. This could be due to the increasing availability of lower-cost wedding dresses sold online and dress rental companies. In fact, the majority of women (51%) plan to spend no more than $500 on their big-day attire. How’s that for saying yes to the dress?
Tying the Knot With ‘The Knot’
Of course, a modern wedding wouldn’t be complete without a wedding website. And as it stands, The Knot blows all other wedding websites out of the water, with 28% of past and future brides and grooms opting for this platform. That’s followed by Zola (19%), WeddingWire (18%), WithJoy (13%), and Minted (7%) (n=400+ responses in April 2024).
This year, the data show a strong resurgence of weddings. Yet despite the increase in festivities, Americans are demonstrating more budget-conscious behavior – spending less on the event and, in some cases, the attire. So while the wedding industry shows no sign of slowing down, vendors may need to seek out creative ways to get couples to commit their cash.
Looking for more forward-looking insights among your brand’s target audiences? Get in touch to learn how the CivicScience InsightStore’s 4+ million daily responses can help you get and stay ahead of the curve.
Couples are likely to go for a timeless aesthetic by embracing soft lighting, pastel tones, natural textures, curves, and minimalism. Venues that bear such features are likely to be more in demand this year. If you like this trend, opt for delicate decor and a more understated ambiance.
In 2024, the wedding industry is experiencing a significant downturn, leading to what experts are calling "the wedding gap." Traditionally considered recession-proof, the wedding sector is facing unprecedented challenges that have contributed to a decline in celebrations and related services.
The number of US weddings soared to a 25-year high in 2022. Now, just two years after those highs, nearly 17% fewer weddings are expected, said Shane McMurray, CEO and founder of The Wedding Report.
The number of weddings was holding steady at about 2.2 million weddings a year, per the wedding report. Then, 2020 happens and there are barely any weddings. Post-COVID, things bounced back past the 2 million mark. But experts predict that number will go back down in the years to come.
Going completely neutral with attire is also trending for spring 2024 weddings. Tan suits, ivory bridesmaids dresses, ivory ties, and white bouquets are styles destined to stand the test of time while still looking strikingly modern.
If you're getting married this year, the luckiest months are May, July, August, October, and November. Meanwhile, the luckiest days are two, eight, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, and 29. So, you can combine any of the aforementioned days and months, such as May 13 or November 25, to determine a lucky wedding date.
To be prudent, opt for soft or bold shades of pink, green, yellow or blue. Think print too. Florals and polka dots will capture the joyful tone of the occasion.
January and February are tied for the least popular months to get married in 2023, each accounting for just 3% of weddings. According to our data, January is usually the least common month to get married, responsible for 2% of weddings in 2022 and only 1% of weddings in 2021.
Americans have typically spent more on their weddings than couples in other countries. In 2023, they spent an average of $30,000, up 2.7% from 2019's $29,200 price tag. That said, considering inflation, the actual cost of a wedding has decreased.
Many venues offer lower rates for weekday weddings, which can help you save money on your overall budget. In conclusion, the cheapest months to get married is typically in the winter: January, February, or late October into November.
First of all, if you find you're going over your original wedding budget, please don't beat yourself up. You're far from the first couple to do so. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, 56% of couples spent more than they'd planned by an average of $7,900.
The recessional begins immediately after the first kiss and usually follows the reverse order of the processional. The newlyweds lead the way back down the aisle—but not before the maid of honor hands back the bouquets and straightens out the bride's gown and its train if needed.
McMurray said that micro weddings have been around for a while — though they've just recently become more popular, in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic requiring large gatherings to be scaled back.
That inflationary impact means venues, food and other key wedding expenses are more expensive in 2023. The average venue cost was $500 higher in 2022 than in 2021, according to the Knot.
2024 brides are considered lucky according to Chinese astrology due to the significance of the year and the belief that leap years are prosperous for couples, symbolizing infinite love.
Couples will continue to enjoy traditional DJs and live bands but also plan to curate unforgettable entertainment experiences. Interactive elements like photo booths, live art installations, and even surprise performances are becoming staples at weddings.
The global wedding services market size reached a valuation of $179.23 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $647.39 billion by the end of 2032, exhibiting a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 15.34% during the period from 2024 to 2032.
Enter what's known as the 'wedding boom'. Couples are picking wedding dates, sending out invitations and planning the party some have postponed for months, even years. When it comes to booking your wedding vendors, there's usually a standard booking timeline couples follow.
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