Weddings Are Expensive. Here’s How One Financial Advisor Talks To Clients About Budgeting

A wedding is meant to be a special, joyous occasion. However, the financial planning required for such a momentous day can feel a little less magical. According to a wedding study by The Knot, the national average cost of a wedding in 2025 is $33,000.

Daunting as it may seem, thoughtful budgeting and planning can ease the financial stress of wedding planning.

Key Takeaways

• The average cost of a wedding in 2025 is $33,000
• Set a total budget early and work backward to guide every spending decision.
• Look for major savings opportunities like off-season dates or free venues from family or friends.
• Prioritize what matters most to you—like food or photography—and allocate extra funds there.

It’s common knowledge that weddings have become expensive galas. The fact that the average age of first marriages continues to climb might have something to do with that financial investment. While the expectation of a lavish event is hard to escape, there are still ways to host a successful wedding without breaking the bank.

Note

The average age for a woman to get married has increased from about age 24 to age 28 from 1990 to 2024.

What I’m Telling My Clients

Just like with buying a house, a savings plan should be in place before anyone starts planning a wedding. Even with cutting corners and reducing costs, spending upwards of $10,000 is not hard.

In most cases, it’s good to begin with a total budget and work backward. For those who work with a wedding planner, presenting a spending cap will give that person a blueprint for piecing together your ceremony or reception. If the total is $20,000 and the dream venue costs $15,000, you know that everything else needs to be found via bargain shopping or the venue has to be reconsidered.

Finding ways to save is often the secret to a successful wedding. I encourage my clients to consider the following:

• Search for an affordable venue owned by a family or a friend.
• Set aside extra money for the most important things to you, such as catering, wedding attire, or photography.
• Check venue prices during the off-season and try to negotiate the cost if you’re looking at a date that’s atypical for weddings. Cheaper months tend to be December and January.

Tip

 According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, only 2% of weddings last year took place in January.

The Bottom Line

If you want a semi-traditional wedding, you have to plan on spending a little money. As long as you save and track down every available bargain, you can set a sensible budget and stick to it. The average cost of a wedding might be high, but you can find ways to manage it financially and still have the day you always dreamed of.