At a Glance
Over the past few decades, the cost of a marriage ceremony has increased dramatically. The average cost of a wedding venue, along with all the bells and whistles that come with it, have all changed. And the pandemic made things even worse. “Ever since the pandemic, everything has skyrocketed,” Leah T. Williams, owner of an eponymous floral and event design company with offices in West Palm Beach and New York City, said in a recent interview. Learning how much this price has risen along with how you can finance this cost will help you better prepare for that special day.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What does a wedding venue include?
- What is the average cost of wedding venues?
- What impacts the cost of a wedding venue?
- Additional wedding venue costs
- How can I pay for a wedding venue?
- Tips to save on wedding venue costs
- FAQs
What does a wedding venue include?
Nowadays, standard wedding venues include some of the following items:
- The space for the wedding itself
- Menus (with the price changing depending on the number of courses)
- Alcohol (if applicable)
- Musical services
- Decorative pieces such as flowers, sculptures, etc.
- Shuttle services for guests
- Seating for guests
- Tablecloths, napkins, linens, and more
- Any security you may choose
When you pay the remarkably large cost of a wedding, some or all the above will be included in that price. Extra add-ons will warrant a higher price.
What is the average cost of wedding venues?
The average cost of a wedding will vary depending on what you wish to add to your wedding, but there is a range that you can expect. Most couples are spending between $3,000-$11,000 on average, with the most common total hovering around $6,000. The upper range of average cost of a venue for wedding ceremonies is above $20,000. Depending on where you are in the country, along with the items you wish to see at your wedding, this average wedding venue cost can vary rapidly.
What impacts the cost of a wedding venue?
As mentioned above, there are different factors which can impact the cost you’ll be expected to pay for the wedding. Here are some of the most common factors:
1. Location
As you can imagine, popular wedding destinations will come with a higher price tag. Particularly, large cities or scenic locations with views are some of the most expensive places to choose for having a wedding. Weddings that take place in the rural backcountry are typically far cheaper than those in the major cities.
2. Size of venue
The size of your wedding will play a major role in the cost, altering everything from seating costs, menus costs, linen costs, and much more. Additionally, if you include catering with your ceremony then the per person cost will rise as well.
3. Date of wedding
The date of the week and time of the year will both play a major role in the price of your wedding. Choosing a Sunday during peak wedding season can nearly double the cost of your wedding compared to choosing a weekday during an off time.
4. Inclusions
Anything not included in the contract for your wedding venue will cost extra to include. For some weddings, this can include the tables, china, linen, and other items that may not be offered by the venue company. Speak to the venue to determine what is and isn’t included in your wedding.
Additional wedding venue costs
There are a few final costs that will factor into your wedding that you may not have considered. Parking, tips, taxes, and any fees associated with third-party inclusions will come with their own costs on top of the wedding venue average cost.
Related: Wedding Budget Calculator
How can I pay for a wedding venue?
Seeing the average of $10,500 may cause you a headache when trying to imagine how you will meet the hefty sum. Fortunately, there are a few strategies you can use to meet this payment:
1. Wedding loans
Wedding loans are one of the most common financing methods available. Personal loans can be used to finance a wedding. This loan type offers loan amounts ranging from $1,000-$100,000 and typically comes unsecured, meaning you won’t need to worry about collateral. Additionally, the APR on personal loans ranges from 6-36%, which means you can receive an extremely fair interest rate.
Consider using a personal loan to fund your wedding expenses.
Personal loans can help you meet tough financial targets.
Finance your wedding today.
2. Borrow from family and friends
For a wedding, it’s common for friends and family to pitch in and help with some of the expenses. Reach out to your loved ones and discuss if they would be willing to offer some funds toward your perfect day. Just be sure to pay them back in full if their contribution is not a donation.
3. Personal savings
Building up your savings account is partially for this exact reason. Home purchases, auto purchases, school, and weddings are some of the most common uses for a savings account. Starting when you’re young or even taking the time to set aside large portions of your income prior to your marriage can help reduce the cost of wedding venue prices.
4. Work a side hustle
One of the more common times for a person to take on a side hustle is when there is a large expense looming on the horizon. A wedding is a perfect example for when couples may take some extra time outside of their day job to keep working and save up money solely for the purpose of their wedding venue.
5. Utilize credit card rewards
Converting credit card awards to cash back dollars can be an extremely beneficial way of acquiring hundreds of dollars, or potentially even above $1,000. Take a look at your credit card rewards to see the points you’ve accumulated and consider putting these points towards your wedding, whether that be as cash-back or some other reward type.
Tips to save on wedding venue costs
As for the actual average cost of wedding reception venue, there are some strategies you can use to reduce the price:
1. Refine your guest list
While many people want to have a large wedding with everyone from every point in their lives in attendance, shrinking the wedding to only include the most important people in your life may be necessary. Consider who you would most want to attend your wedding and work on refining your guest list until you hit a price you are comfortable with.
2. Set a date carefully
There’s a reason popular wedding dates exist. Whether it be the time of year or the destination itself, sometimes there’s no way around the price when it comes to the time of the wedding. However, do your best to choose an abnormal time of day or day of the week to see if it helps with the cost.
3. Look for tax-deductible sites
Some sites may offer you tax deductions for wedding-related purchases, so don’t hesitate to find certain sites that may give you a break.
4. Read all contracts thoroughly
In some cases, a wedding venue may automatically throw in certain items that you simply don’t need or want. Speak with the venue about removing these items and whether the cost will be reduced by taking them out of your wedding.
Related: Unique Ways People are Saving for Wedding
FAQs
How much of your budget should go to venue for a wedding?
A wedding will undoubtedly be one of the happiest days of your life, and it’s perfectly reasonable to put large amounts of money toward it. However, in looking at the question of what the average cost of a wedding venue is, we must also look at how much you should put toward that venue. In short, consider putting around one-third of your total wedding expense towards the venue itself.
Learn more: Wedding Budget Breakdown
Why do wedding venues cost so much?
The average American wedding cost has grown so expensive in recent years because more add-ons have been included in the ceremony. Beyond more expensive venues, wedding ceremonies now include tables, decorations, food catering, linen, and so much more that raises the price.
Do wedding reception venue prices include rentals, like tables and chairs?
Around 60% of reception venues will include add-ons such as tables and chairs, but the remaining 40% won’t. If your vendor doesn’t provide these, you will need to turn to a third-party coordinator to receive these items at your venue.
Which state has the cheapest wedding venue?
When looking at average wedding cost U.S. figures, the cheapest wedding venue on average will be in Alabama. For reference, the most expensive wedding venue is typically in Hawaii.
Is it cheaper to get married on a beach?
Yes, in many cases getting married on a beach can be cheaper than at a standard venue, but this all depends on the location in which you hope to hold the ceremony.
What is the cheapest month to get married in?
Wintertime is generally the cheapest period to consider getting married, with a December or June wedding being some of the cheaper months of the year.
FAQs
Is 5000 enough for a wedding? ›
In fact, you can cover the cost of a dress, invitations, flowers, photographs, ceremony and reception for a fraction of the average amount couples spend on weddings. Just ask Sandy Smith and LaTisha Styles, who both stuck to a budget of about $5,000 for their weddings.
What is a realistic price for a wedding? ›...
Average cost of a wedding by year.
The average cost of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000 (including the ceremony and reception), according to The Knot's 2021 Real Weddings Study.
Should you tell a wedding venue your budget? ›Come Right Out With It
"Be straight with the vendors and tell them your budget. If you have wiggle room, let them know. For the most part, vendors are very honest and will tell you whether they can work within that budget and whether that budget is realistic," says Laura Wright of OUI Weddings and Events.
- Venue: 30% Unsurprisingly, the biggest chunk of your wedding budget will go to the biggest investment, which is often the venue. ...
- Catering: 23% ...
- Band: 13% ...
- Wedding Rings: 7% ...
- Photography: 7% ...
- Alcohol/Liquor: 7% ...
- Flowers: 7% ...
- Videography: 6%
There's so many incredible options for budget weddings, and a $10K (or under) wedding is not only totally possible, it's also 100% awesome. From Las Vegas elopements, to backyard weddings, to pop up weddings, to desert wedding rituals… we've found examples of every kind of creative budget wedding you can think of.
What is the most expensive part of wedding? ›The most expensive parts of most weddings are costs associated with the reception venue, including the cost of renting materials, including tables and chairs, and serving food or alcohol.
Is $30000 a lot for a wedding? ›The average American wedding costs $30,000, according to The Knot, a popular wedding planning website. $30,000! That money could buy a nice new car or be a 20% down payment on a $150,000 home. It's also more than many Americans earn in a year.
What is the average wedding budget for 2022? ›2022 wedding price tag
All told, the Wedding Report's average cost for a 2022 wedding sits at around $27,000, which is about on par with 2021 costs. Ideally, you've had plenty of time to save for the big day and thus have the money sitting in your savings account, ready to go.
In general, couples may want to reconsider spending money on anything overly trendy, especially if it has no sentimental value. Extravagant touches like releasing live doves, setting off fireworks, or hiring professional dancers can actually distract from the true focus of the wedding: the couple.
Can you write off wedding expenses on taxes? ›
Weddings are expensive, so it's unfortunate that they aren't tax-deductible! But wait, though tax write-offs may not be top-of-mind when you are planning your wedding, with careful planning, there are some ways you may be able to garner a tax deduction as you prepare to head down the aisle.
Who pays for a wedding in 2022? ›The most common way couples are paying for their wedding in 2022 (41%) is by sharing the costs with their parents and/or in-laws, according to Zola. But 37% of couples reported that they're planning to pay for everything related to their wedding on their own.
Can you negotiate the price of a wedding venue? ›There are deals to be had, and venues are willing to negotiate, but you have to be flexible and open to the possibilities to get the best price on your dream location.
How do you negotiate a venue price? ›- Tell the venue your budget. ...
- Prove your worth. ...
- Choose a venue that resonates with your event. ...
- Be as flexible as possible about date and time. ...
- Leverage food and beverage spend to negotiate free space. ...
- Be strategic as to when you sign the contract.
Be prepared to spend the most (around 40 percent) on taking care of guests' basic needs—that's venue, food, and beverage."
How do most couples pay for a wedding? ›Traditionally, the bride's family foots the majority of the bill, but that's not stopping modern couples from spending their own savings to have the wedding they want.
Is 10000 a reasonable wedding budget? ›The good news is that you can absolutely have a spectacular wedding on a budget that will cut the average cost of a wedding by more than half! Weddings under 10k are absolutely doable with allocating expenses thoughtfully, using your creativity, and discovering money saving tips.
Is $100 good for wedding? ›For closer friends and family, you may want to consider going to $200, or higher if you can afford it. For others, $100 to $150 is more than okay as a wedding gift amount.
Is a 100 person wedding too small? ›How many guests are typically invited to each size wedding? These numbers may vary a little depending on who you're speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees.
Is 100 a cheap wedding gift? ›The average wedding gift amount hovers right around $100, which is a great place to start, and you can increase or decrease that based on how close you are. If you're very close or related to the couple (and have the wiggle room in your budget), you may choose to spend more—about $150 per guest (or $200 from a couple).
Is 20 guests a small wedding? ›
Small weddings can range in size, but typically include around 20-80 people and are just as special — and potentially a lot less expensive — than a large celebration.
How expensive is a 100 person wedding? ›Most receptions for 100 people cost between $6,000 - $12,000, with $8,000 being the average cost. Here's a general estimate of what you can expect to pay for food, service/staffing, alcohol, and rentals for a wedding of this size.
Do most couples pay for their own wedding? ›According to the WeddingWire Newlywed Report, parents pay for 52% of wedding expenses, while the couple pays for 47% (the remaining 1% is paid for by other loved ones)—so parents are still paying for a majority of the wedding, though couples are chipping in fairly significantly.
What is the most expensive day to get married? ›The most expensive day of the week to get married is unsurprisingly a Saturday, since not only is it on a weekend so more of your guests are likely to attend, but it means you don't have a Monday morning wedding hangover to deal with like you would with a Sunday wedding.
How do I budget for a $15000 wedding? ›- Venue: $8,000 for a seven-bedroom villa for the week.
- Flights: $1,000.
- Food and beverages: $2,000 for a buffet meal and beverages.
- Rentals: $700 for tables, chairs, linens and lighting.
- Attire: $300 for a dress; $150 for a suit on sale.
Utah is the most affordable U.S state to get married in, with the average cost coming in at only $13,301. The most common place in Utah to get married has to be Salt Lake City, with plenty of resorts, national parks, mountainous regions, lodges, and ballrooms to choose from, depending on what you want.
Is 300 guests a large wedding? ›Over 100 but less than 300 guests is considered to be a medium wedding or mid-size event. Numbers are relative, though, so if your family typically attends weddings with upwards of 300 guests, a 100-person event might feel small to you.
Who pays for a wedding these days? ›Some common resolutions today are for the couple to pay for everything; for the bride's family to pay for half and the groom's family for half; or, for the couple to pay one third and each side of the family fund another third. If another combination works best for you, then it's the right one.
What does the grooms family pay for? ›What Does the Groom's Family Pay For, Traditionally? The groom's family is responsible for corsages and boutonnieres for immediate members of both families, the lodging of the groom's attendants (if you have offered to help pay for this expense), and sometimes the costs of the rehearsal dinner.
How much do parents give for a wedding gift? ›How much money do parents give for a wedding? An easy rule of thumb is to stay within the average range of $75 to $200, but you can adjust the exact amount based on your personal finances, as well as your relationship with the couple.
Do weddings put people in debt? ›
According to a recent LendEDU wedding debt survey, one-third of respondents said they went into some sort of debt to pay for their big day—an average of nearly $12,000.
Do most people go into debt for their wedding? ›Nearly half of American couples go into debt to get married — but is it a good idea? In The U.S., the average wedding costs just under $30,000, according to a 2021 study from wedding planning site The Knot.
Can I write off engagement ring? ›The cost of your engagement ring can't be deducted as a write-off on your personal income taxes. When you purchase an engagement ring, it is not only a very personal choice, but it is also a personal expense. While that personal expense may be expensive, it is not deductible on your tax return.
Is paying for a wedding considered a gift IRS? ›For example, paying $30,000 to cover the cost of a child's wedding reception or honeymoon would be a gift in the eyes of the IRS. So too would a $50,000 contribution to a child's 529 plan to cover the future costs of college tuition. Know the limits.
Do you have to report wedding gifts to IRS? ›Gifts between spouses are unlimited and generally don't trigger a gift tax return. Though, if the spouse isn't a U.S. citizen, special rules may apply. Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Form 709 : Gifts to Your Spouse.
Do parents still pay for weddings? ›Even though many modern couples are breaking wedding traditions left and right, one tradition is definitely sticking: parents paying for the wedding. To be fair, many couples do try to pay for some of the wedding, but it seems a hefty percentage is still being shelled out by both sides of the family.
What should the mother of the groom not do? ›- Don't overshadow the bride's mother. ...
- Don't act (or dress) like a bridesmaid. ...
- Don't get too critical. ...
- Don't steal the bride's spotlight with your mother-of-the-groom outfit. ...
- Don't try to invite extra guests. ...
- Don't skip the pre-wedding events.
Traditionally speaking, though, the bride's family pays for the bulk of the wedding—venue, reception, photographer, flowers, etc. As such, the mother of the bride is typically more 'in charge' of these things (along with the bride, of course) than the mother of the groom is.
Why do venues charge so much for weddings? ›this is essentially overhead. In order to provide a bride with the experience they are looking for, a top-notch venue must charge a fee that covers their overhead and in order to stay in business… yield a profit (however, big or small).
What is a soft hold on a wedding venue? ›A lot of venues will allow you to put a “soft hold” on a date, which basically means the date is yours until another couple inquires about it, at which point the venue reaches out to let you know that you have to make a decision. 48.
How much should I spend on a wedding I can't attend? ›
According to Parker, there really is no set amount—it's truly based on your budget and your comfort level. However, if you are someone who really needs to have a base number, she'd advise at least $75.
What is a reasonable amount to negotiate? ›Consider negotiating lower if 10-20% places you above the average. Is the pay in-line with average pay, but still believe you can negotiate based on your skills? Consider a range between 5-7% above. You don't want to risk your chances with a company that is genuinely interested in your financial well-being.
How do you negotiate a price without being rude? ›...
Do:
- Frame the negotiations as a problem-solving challenge.
- Take the time to make small talk. It'll build connections you can leverage later on.
- Stress the areas on which you agree, and use words like “we” to signal you are invested in the relationship.
- All I have in my budget is X.
- What would your cash price be?
- How far can you come down in price to meet me?
- What? or Wow.
- Is that the best you can do?
- Ill give you X if we can close the deal now.
- Ill agree to this price if you.
- Your competitor offers.
The average cost of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000 (including the ceremony and reception), according to The Knot's 2021 Real Weddings Study.
What are the major expenses of a wedding? ›- Venue - $16,107.
- Photographer - $2,783.
- Reception band/music - $4,156.
- Florist - $2,534.
- Videographer - $1,995.
- Wedding dress - $1,564.
- Groom's attire - $280.
- Wedding cake - $582.
These numbers may vary a little depending on who you're speaking with, but a small wedding typically includes 50 people or under, a medium wedding has a guest list of anywhere from 50-150 guests, and a large wedding has over 150 attendees.
Can you have a wedding for $12,000? ›Seriously, it's possible to get married for under $12,000. Not only possible, but you can actually have a wedding that you absolutely LOVE. I can say that confidently, because I've heard it from couples time & time again. You do NOT need to spend tens of thousands of dollars for your wedding to be amazing.