According to the Knot’s Real Weddings Study recently released, couples spent an average of PS23.983 for their wedding celebrations, with almost half (PS10.871) of that amount going towards venues. Location was the main factor in determining price. The US report, based on a survey of nearly 13,000 couples who got married in the past year, revealed that Manhattan was the most expensive city to get married. Couples spent an average of PS55,265 for their wedding ceremonies. North and Central New Jersey, with PS44,585, and Long Island, NY, with PS43,895, were close behind. All 10 of the most expensive locations are on the East Coast, except for Chicago.
New Mexico, Utah, and Oregon had the most affordable weddings. Couples in New Mexico spent between PS12 629 and PS14 833 to say, “I do.” These numbers don’t include honeymoons, which can be expensive.
Weddings have become more expensive over time, but the number of guests is decreasing. What does this mean?
Kristen Maxwell Cooper is the editor-in-chief of The Knot. She told InStyle that ‘weddings in 2017 demonstrated couples’ focus on their guests. We saw them pull out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience for wedding attendees. The amount spent on guest entertainment almost tripled from 2009 to today, with the total cost of event planning rising from 11 percent up to 40 percent. Photo booths, selfie stations, and sparklers are all products that can make guests feel entertained.
No matter how much you spend, weddings will always be about tradition – but even those are changing. According to survey results, couples are opting for more personal celebrations that incorporate their cultural and religious traditions rather than cookie-cutter formal events. Maxwell Cooper cited ‘flamenco musicians, Irish step dancers with bagpipes, Moroccan bellies dancers as well as Hawaiian lei exchanges and Cuban cigar-rolling stations.’ These activities are more likely to reflect the personalities of brides and grooms than, for example, a classic bouquet throw.
The bouquet toss will be a tradition that you see less and less of. Maxwell Cooper says that only 37 percent of grooms throw garters, and less than half of brides toss bouquets. He believes the tradition is more suited for younger brides and bridegrooms who have lots of single friends. The average bride is 29 years old, and the average groom is 31. It’s not surprising that these traditions are disappearing.
But one tradition has lasted the test of time, and that is the first dance between a couple. She says, ‘It is still a beautiful pastime which couples continue to enjoy.
Maxwell Cooper offers a hint: While most people believe that the summer is the best time to get married, this may not be true. Last year, the summer and fall tied for the most popular month to get married, but September was the winner, closely followed by June and October. Avoid these months if you want to save money on your wedding. Wedding venues and vendors will increase their fees during the peak wedding season.
