The wedding planning site, the knot, recently released a report of 2017 wedding expenses. The results show that the costs of a wedding these days is increasing, with the average wedding cost in the U.S. landing at $33,391.

The survey consisted of roughly 13,000 couples who have been married within the past year of 2017. Arguably the most shocking statistic, the average cost per guest rose to $268, which is an increase of $74 from the prior year.

Additional Statistics From The Knot

The report also released 12 more statistics regarding wedding costs:

  • Average guest list size: 136 (that’s down 5 guests per wedding year over year)
  • Most Expensive Place to Marry in the US: New York City ($76,944)
  • Least Expensive Place to Marry in the US: New Mexico ($17,584)
  • Average Age of a Woman Getting Married: 29
  • Average Age of a Man Getting Married: 31
  • Average Number of Bridesmaids Per Wedding: 5
  • Average Number of Groomsmen Per Wedding: 5
  • Most Popular Month to Marry: December (16% of couples)
  • Average Length of Engagement: 14 months
  • Most Popular Months to Marry: September (16%), June (15%), October (14%)
  • Most Popular Wedding Colors: Ivory/Champagne (37%), Dark Blue (32%), Gold (30%)

Concluding Thoughts

Hopefully this information leaves you feeling more knowledgeable about your own wedding plans. It is always good to know relative pricing regarding national wedding averages, because this gives you a good reference point when considering how much to spend on aspects of your own wedding.

Rent Letters‘ best cost-saving advice is as follows:

  • Double Check the Guest List: If you are trying to cut down on wedding costs, it may be a good idea to refine your guest list down to the people you absolutely need to have at the event. It can be hard to please everyone, but at the end of the day this wedding is about you and your partner, no one else.
  • Location, Location, Location: Clearly, location makes a difference. A difference of $59,360 to be exact, which is certainly enough to consider moving the wedding to another venue out of town. As a bonus, relocating the wedding may also eliminate the cost of extra guests.
  • Minimal Bridal Party: Much like the guest list, it can be difficult to narrow down the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen included in your wedding. However, reducing this number can save you a lot of money. It can also reduce the stress and anxiety of trying to coordinate additional wedding events (showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, etc.) around the schedules of so many people.