The cost to get married varies significantly depending on location, scale, and style, but here are the typical averages for 2025: In the United States:
- The average wedding cost is around $33,000 to $36,000, with some sources noting a median closer to $10,000, which might better reflect many couples' budgets
- Big cities like New York or San Francisco can see costs exceed $40,000, while smaller towns in the Midwest or South might average closer to $20,000
- Key expenses include venue ($12,000+), catering (about $80 per plate), photography ($2,900), flowers ($2,700), and entertainment such as DJs ($1,700)
- Budget breakdown examples range from $10,000 to $50,000 weddings, showing how costs scale with choices in venue, catering, photography, attire, and decor
In the United Kingdom:
- The average total wedding cost is about £25,625 in 2025, a slight increase from previous years
- Costs vary by region, with London weddings averaging around £36,778, while Scotland and Wales are lower, around £19,000 and £15,500 respectively
- Typical UK wedding expenses include venue hire (£8,000), catering (£4,500), photography (£1,500), dress (£1,200), entertainment (£1,000), and flowers (£800)
- About 40% of UK couples spend over £10,000, with some spending more than £30,000
Additional Costs:
- Marriage license fees in the US vary by state, generally ranging from $20 to $110
Overall, wedding costs can range widely from under $10,000/£10,000 for very modest ceremonies to $50,000+ or £30,000+ for more elaborate celebrations, influenced heavily by location, guest count, and vendor choices.
