I was pretty hesitant to this post, because I really think average costs are SO subjective. There are sooo many different vendors with different package options at different quality levels that saying there’s a definitive average cost for each wedding vendor is pretty much BS. So I’m warning you that this does NOT mean that a vendor above these numbers is charging too much or below these numbers is a crappy photographer, florist, etc.
These numbers are a very rough starting point and are all from the The Knot’s 2017 Real Weddings Study. I am basically adding what my real wedding vendors cost and what I think of the average (just based on looking for quotes myself as a bride).
PLEASE NOTE: our wedding was in Floral City, FL (aka the middle of nowhere) in 2015, but most of our vendors were from Orlando, FL. Florida vendors are a heck of a lot cheaper than NYC vendors or California vendors, so take everything with a grain of salt unless your’e planning on getting married in O-town. In fact, there is a website that calculates the average cost of weddings in your zip code. I would definitely plug in your venue zip code and get a better idea how far your city average is from the national average.
FYI according to The Knot the national average for a wedding in 2017 was $33,391. Yikes.
How to read this post: I’ll be putting rounding the average amount per vendor from The Knot’s 2017 Real Weddings Study rounded to an easy to read number ($1,200 vs. $1,247) and then under it you can see what I spent in blue. Any additional notes about my number and things that may have made it less or more will be below both headings.
Average wedding planner cost: $2,000
My wedding planner cost: $900
To be clear, my planner was a day-of coordinator. She did so much more than your average day-of, but she did not plan every detail with me from the beginning of the process to the end. I’m not quite sure what the 2K means in the average. The Knot did not really provide details on that number.
Average venue cost: $15,100
My venue cost: $0
Okay, yeah. My venue was free, so obviously this number doesn’t mean diddly squat. I was under the impression that this number was a little more in line with $8,000- 10,000, but clearly I know nothing. That much for a venue is mind-boggling, but it also means it’s a good place to cut costs fast without losing quality or lowering the guest count…
One thing that’s not covered here that we did spend thousands on was rental tables, chairs, etc. Because our venue was not traditionally for weddings, we had a lot of things we needed to rent (a massive tent, cocktail hour standing tables, linens, linens, plates, champagne flutes, etc.). I think that number came to about $5,100.
Average ceremony location cost: $2,300
My ceremony location cost: $0
Well, the ceremony was at the same location as the venue… I feel like I’m just rubbing it in at this point. Lolz.
$5,100 for rentals seemed expensive at the time, but in comparison to $17,300… dang, much better.
Average caterer cost: $70/person
My caterer cost: $40/person
Okay, so ours was buffet style BBQ, which I think significantly reduces the cost. This per person number included our bar (not the liquor- the physical thing + bartenders), our servers, gratuity, tables to set up, cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres, our champagne toast, non-alcoholic drinks and vendor meals. So yeah, $40/person ain’t bad at all. It might be because we picked an out-of-the-box vendor that I doubt most people pick for their wedding, but either way, the food ruled and this saved us over $5000 (when comparing it to the average).
Average florist/decor cost: $2,400
My florist/decor cost: $6,100*
I do not know how you keep a florist under $3,000… what my flowers included: for every table in the reception, for tables in the cocktail hour, ceremony flowers, bouquets for all 9 bridesmaids + me, boutonnieres for all 9 groomsmen + hubby, delivery, set-up and travel costs, additional reception decor flowers.
*This does NOT include additional decor. Heck no. We had a lot of random decor costs come up along the way. There was probably an additional $2,000-3,000 in decor costs that weren’t floral. That’s just a random guess. Could be off, but decorating our venue was certainly the hardest part. Again, this may be something venues factor in hence the $15K.
Average photographer cost: $2,600
My photographer cost: $2,700
This included videography and an engagement session, but we got a little lucky on the videography. My photographers certainly (and rightfully) charge an additional fee for videography.
Average videographer cost: $1,900
My videographer cost: $0
As I mentioned, this was included in the photographer package that I bought.
Average reception DJ cost: $1,200
My DJ cost: $500
We got a sweet deal on a kick butt DJ. We didn’t do any lighting or strobe lights or anything funky. It was simply him playing music for 4 hours and interacting via the microphone. A lot of DJ’s include the lighting and additional speakers, etc, so that can change the price.
Average reception band cost: $4,000
My band cost: $0
We went for a DJ instead of a band, but live bands rule too.
Photo by Sarah Joy Photo.
Average ceremony musician(s) cost: $760
My ceremony musician cost: $600
This included a $100 traveling fee AND cocktail hour music. We got a bit of a deal since we purchased both.
Average invitations cost: $400
My invitations cost: $600
I actually can’t find the exact amount. We purchased our through PaperSource and in person. This included the entire suite though (RSVP card, additional info card, RSVP envelope addressed, Regular envelope), but does not include stamps. It also does not include save the dates, menus, wedding programs, or thank you cards, which end up being an additional amount.
Average cake cost: $540
My cake cost: $400
Again, this was included in our caterers cost and was a three-tiered cake that could feed 200 people. It was naked and had buttercream frosting (I’d assume fondant costs more).
Average transportation cost: $830
My transportation cost: $325
This was only for a one way ride for my bridesmaids, flower girl, mom, mother-in-law and I to the wedding venue from where we got ready. The drive was around 20 minutes long and it was just a regular ol’ limo. I can see how costs would skyrocket when you pay for the groom and his gang and transport your guests back and forth.
Photo by Sarah Joy Photo.
Average hair/make up cost: $1000
My hair/make up cost: $1000
This number was INCLUDING all of my bridesmaids and the flower girl that wanted to do it. If you’re looking for how much it was specifically for me to do hair and make up: $165. For each bridesmaid: $115. We asked my bridesmaids to purchase their own hair and make up though, so it didn’t cost us the full $1000.
Average wedding dress cost: $1,500
My wedding dress cost: $1,800
Nothing really to say, ha. This is about average! I think dresses can get crazy though, so just know that. Plus, there’s tailoring and additional fees that pop up as you get closer to the day.
Average groom’s attire cost: $300
Hubby’s groom’s attire cost: $350
This is an estimate. I can’t find the exact, but I think his suit was around $250. It was a major deal at Jos A. Bank (buy one suit/ get three suits free), so he owns the suit now. I think there was at least an additional $100 in tailoring, shoes, pocket square, cuff links, etc.
Photo by Sarah Joy Photo.
What can make price points differ from averages:
- Time of year you get married
- Where you get married
- Vendor travel costs
- Experience the vendor has
- Quality of work the vendor does
- Types of service packages they offer
- Involvement before the wedding
- How frequently they communicate with you/answer questions
- Discounts, promotions, etc.
- If they’re actually in the wedding industry or not
- Number of guests attending, eating, needing a favor, etc.
- Quality of individual items used (i.e. high-end food, linens, flutes, etc.)
