http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/3624
‘I Do’ = $29,334
Submitted by The City Wire staff on Wed, 04/08/2009 – 3:53pm.
The average spent on a wedding in the U.S. during 2008 was $29,334, up 5.2% over the 2007 average.
The Knot Wedding Network surveyed 18,000 couples married in 2008 to gather information on the costs and trends associated with weddings during the year.
The top 10 average costs of a 2008 wedding were:
Venue, $13,667, up 7.4% over 2007
Band, $3,633, down 11.5%
Photographer, $2,655, up 0.2%
Florist/decorations. $1,924, down 2.4%
Wedding planner, $1,907, up 8.6%
Rehearsal dinner, $1,640, n/a
Videographer, $1,591, up 1.2%
Wedding gown, $1,032, down 22%
Reception DJ, $943, up 0.3%
Wedding day transportation, $725, up 6.7%
The top 10 most expensive places to get married, according to the survey, are: Long Island, N.Y.; New York City; Northern New Jersey; Hudson Valley, N.Y.; Chicago; Connecticut; Los Angeles; South Florida; Rhode Island; and Orange County, Calif.
The Knot survey noted that the big question now is how the recession will impact 2009 wedding plans. According to a survey completed in March 2009, a majority of brides (60%) indicated that wedding spending will not change, while 40% have reduced their wedding budgets by approximately 16%.
Other interesting wedding trends and info include:
• The bulk of the average wedding budget is dedicated to the reception venue ($13,667, a 7% increase over 2007); followed by the reception band ($3,633 on average); and photography ($2,655 on average).
• Budgets are bigger and everyone’s contributing: The bride’s parents (44%) and the bride and groom (43%) are paying for the majority of weddings. Grooms’ parents also contributed (12%) in 2008.
• Couples are engaged longer: Couples marrying in 2008 were engaged for an average of 15.7 months, more than 25% longer than those married in 2007. A majority of couples (71%) lived together prior to getting married.
• Photography Is editorial and digital: Almost all (93%) brides chose “documentary” style photographers, and 90% of photographers shot in digital.
• Brides are hot on do-it-yourself: More than half (55%) of brides made their own favors and ceremony programs. Other top DIY categories were escort cards, save-the-dates, invitations, and decorations.
• New York City has the oldest brides and grooms, with average ages of 31 and 33. Respectively, Utah has the youngest, with average ages of 25 (bride) and 27 (groom).
• Iowa and Nebraska couples have the largest weddings, with more than 200 guests.
• Hawaii, Maine, and North Carolina have the most casual weddings. Connecticut, South Florida, Chicago, Detroit, and New York City (and surrounding areas) have the most formal (black tie).
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