These world-renowned sparklers put the "ice" in price.
Updated May 03, 2023These Are the 25 Most Expensive Places to Get Married in America
These are officially the priciest US wedding destinations.
Weddings are a major celebration and budgeting for them is incredibly important, but can feel a bit daunting if you're not equipped with the right budgeting tools and information. As you're trying to settle on a wedding venue, you may be wondering, "Where are the most expensive places to get married in the US?" or "Where will my wedding budget go furthest?" We're here to help you answer those very questions so that your wedding planning journey can be as stress-free as possible.
According to the annual The Knot Real Weddings Study, the average wedding cost for couples in 2022 was $30,000. Data in 2022 found that the average spend for an engagement ring is $5,800. Although many to-be-weds felt the effects of inflation during the wedding planning journey, hiring the right vendors and understanding wedding costs is the best way to ensure your budget is spent as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Due to a wide variety of factors, wedding costs vary greatly across the country. A wedding in a major metropolitan area like New York City or Los Angeles is going to cost a bit more than an event held in a more rural area. Additionally, not every couple hires every category of vendor. Our study findings revealed that couples, on average, have 14 vendors on their team. Within the makeup of that team, there's lots of flexibility and room for different budgets based on your priorities. Maybe you're getting married at an all-inclusive resort so you're able to skip booking wedding transportation (in 2022, 35% of couples hired transportation) and instead prioritize extra money toward catering. Or possibly you know you want an expert planner (in 2022, 34% of couples hired planners) at the helm so you choose a venue that includes some rentals to keep that budget line item smaller. In essence, there are hundreds of different ways you could build a wedding budget (which is why we created an entire budgeting tool for couples) and it's critical that you keep your priorities and interests at the core while planning so you can create an event that authentically represents your love.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
One way to ensure your budget stretched the furthest? Learn about the most expensive places in the US to get married and then pick a wedding destination that fits your budget.
Most Expensive Places to Get Married
So where in the United States will it cost the most, on average, to get married? Here is the definitive list of the top 25 most expensive places in the US to get married in 2023.
1. New Jersey: $51,000
A wedding in New Jersey costs an average of $51,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, New Jersey couples typically spend $8,400 on engagement rings.
2. New York: $46,000
A wedding in New York costs an average of $46,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, New York couples typically spend $8,400.
3. Massachusetts: $46,000
A wedding in Massachusetts costs an average of $46,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Massachusetts couples typically spend $6,800 on engagement rings.
4. Rhode Island and Vermont: $43,000
A wedding in Rhode Island and Vermont costs an average of $43,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Rhode Island and Vermont couples typically spend $6,800 on engagement rings.
5. Maryland: $39,000
A wedding in Maryland costs an average of $39,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Maryland couples typically spend $8,400 on engagement rings.
6. Connecticut: $39,000
A wedding in Connecticut costs an average of $39,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Connecticut couples typically spend $6,800 on engagement rings.
FOR YOU
Wedding DJ Cost and Live Band Cost: What to Know
Band or DJ? Maybe this will help decide.
How Much a Wedding Officiant Costs, Based on Data
Find out how much couples spend on average—plus, what impacts the final amount.
What Your Wedding Budget Should Be, Based on Data
Featuring a budget breakdown chart (with percentages!) to keep your finances on track.
7. California: $37,000
A wedding in California costs an average of $37,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, California couples typically spend $5,900 on engagement rings.
8. Illinois: $37,000
A wedding in Illinois costs an average of $37,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Illinois couples typically spend $5,200 on engagement rings.
9. Pennsylvania: $33,000
A wedding in Pennsylvania costs an average of $33,000 for ceremony and reception costs.Additionally, Pennsylvania couples typically spend $8,400 on engagement rings.
10. Virginia: $32,000
A wedding in Virginia costs an average of $32,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Virginia couples typically spend $5,600 on engagement rings.
11. South Carolina: $32,000
A wedding in South Carolina costs an average of $32,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, South Carolina couples typically spend $5,600.
12. Louisiana: $31,000
A wedding in Louisiana costs an average of $31,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Louisiana couples typically spend $5,900 on engagement rings.
13. New Hampshire: $30,000
A wedding in New Hampshire costs an average of $30,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, New Hampshire couples typically spend $6,800 on engagement rings.
14. Colorado: $30,000
A wedding in Colorado costs an average of $30,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Colorado couples typically spend $5,900 on engagement rings.
15. Florida: $30,000
A wedding in Florida costs an average of $30,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Florida couples typically spend $5,600 on engagement rings.
16. North Carolina: $29,000
A wedding in North Carolina costs an average of $29,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, North Carolina couples typically spend $5,600 on engagement rings.
17. Texas: $27,000
A wedding in Texas costs an average of $27,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Texas couples typically spend $5,900 on engagement rings.
18. Michigan: $27,000
A wedding in Michigan costs an average of $27,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Michigan couples typically spend $5,200 on engagement rings.
19. Georgia: $26,000
A wedding in Georgia costs an average of $26,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Georgia couples typically spend $5,600 on engagement rings.
20. Wisconsin: $26,000
A wedding in Georgia costs an average of $26,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Georgia couples typically spend $5,200 on engagement rings.
21. Ohio: $26,000
A wedding in Ohio costs an average of $26,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Ohio couples typically spend $5,200 on engagement rings.
22. Minnesota: $25,000
A wedding in Minnesota costs an average of $25,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Minnesota couples typically spend $5,200 on engagement rings.
23. Washington: $23,000
A wedding in Washington state costs an average of $23,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Washington couples typically spend $5,900 on engagement rings.
24. Arizona: $23,000
A wedding in Arizona state costs an average of $23,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Arizona couples typically spend $5,900 on engagement rings.
25. Missouri: $23,000
A wedding in Missouri state costs an average of $23,000 for ceremony and reception costs. Additionally, Missouri couples typically spend $5,200 on engagement rings.
