Wedding Statistics
and Facts in 2022

Key Statistics

There is expected to be a massive surge in weddings occurring in the U.S. in 2022, with an estimated 2.6 million weddings set to take place throughout the year.

993,786 people are employed by the wedding industry in the U.S.

The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $27,000 as of 2022.

Reception venues are often the most expensive part of a wedding.

The most expensive state to have a wedding is New Jersey where couples pay $53,400 on average.

65% of weddings happen during summer and fall.

Wedding Industry Statistics

The wedding services industry is a behemoth, generating billions in revenue each year and employing thousands of people. It’s no wonder that getting hitched comes with a significant price tag! But underneath all of the emotions and aesthetics of getting married, there are some serious numbers at play in the wedding industry.

$62bn

Wedding Industry Market Size (2022)

399618

Number of Wedding Businesses (2022)

993786

Number of People Employed (2022)

$112457

Wedding Planner Average Salary

The wedding services industry has declined over the past 10 years

The market size for the Wedding Services industry in the U.S. has declined by 6.2% annually from 2017 to 2022, and a whopping 34% decline in 2020 alone as the Covid crisis forced many weddings to be postponed or downsized.

After the pandemic forced many couples to put their wedding plans on hold, weddings are finally making a comeback. This includes weddings with larger budgets. Couples are now eager to tie the knot and are willing to splurge on their big day.

Weddings Are Booming Again in 2022

Two years of pandemic uncertainty forced many couples to put off or cancel their nuptial celebrations. But weddings are coming back with a vengeance.

This year’s number of weddings is expected to be huge! There will be more weddings in the U.S. in 2022 than in any other year since 2000. An estimated 2.6 million weddings are scheduled for 2022, which is up from 2.1 million in 2019 (prior to the pandemic). These big events will likely be even bigger and more expensive than usual, due to the current record levels of consumer price inflation.

How Much Do Couples Spend on a Wedding?

The average cost of a wedding has seen a significant change in recent years. While in 2019, couples spent an average of $24,700 on their big day, spending plummeted in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.

However, average wedding costs have increased this year after dipping in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The average cost for a 2022 wedding, according to the Wedding Report, is approximately $27,000. This cost is similar to that of a 2021 wedding.

Note: The 27,000 average also includes expenses like the engagement ring but does not include the honeymoon.

That’s a big financial responsibility for any new couple starting out and it can be very difficult to keep wedding costs down.

Source: Wedding Report

Breaking Down the Average Wedding Cost

The average cost of a wedding in 2022 is $27,000, but this number can quickly increase depending on the size and extravagance of the event. Reception venues are often the most expensive part of a wedding, as they require renting materials and often include the cost of serving food and drinks. Other costly aspects of weddings can include the engagement rings, music, the flowers, and the photographer.

Photographer

$2,400

Venue

$10,500

Event Planner

$1,500

Reception Band

$3,700

Florist

$2,000

Wedding Dress

$1,600

Wedding Cake

$500

Engagement Ring

$5,900

Rehearsal Dinner

$1,900

Hairstylist

$110

Makeup Artist

$100

Invitations

$590

Which is the Most Expensive State to Get Married?

Location is often the most important factor in deciding your wedding budget. If you want to get married in a state where real estate is more expensive, like New York or New Jersey, the cost of your venue will be much higher. However, there are many other states that offer just as beautiful venues without the hefty price tag. States like Kentucky and Utah can be perfect for your dream wedding without breaking the bank.

The most expensive state to have a wedding is New Jersey where couples pay $53,400 on average. In second place is Rhode Island at $49,800, followed by New York in third place at $48,600.

When and Where Are
Weddings Taking Place?

For the sixth year in a row, October is anticipated to be the most popular month for weddings, with October 22, 2022 being the most popular date. Furethermore, we’re seeing a trend similar to what we saw last year, with nearly 65% of couples opting to wed in the summer and fall.

Couples are booking wedding venues much further in advance than they did in 2020 – with 88% of couples booking a venue for 2021. The most popular venues right now? Banquet halls, farm and barn venues, and historic homes are all high on the list, as are venues with outdoor space.

Source: The Real Weddings Study

Sources