GITNUXREPORT 2025

Wedding Industry Statistics

Wedding industry worth $300 billion with rising personalized, eco-friendly trends.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average cost of a wedding in the United States was $28,000 in 2022

Statistic 2

The majority of couples in the U.S. spend between $15,000 and $30,000 on their wedding

Statistic 3

The average dress cost for a bride is approximately $1,600

Statistic 4

Wedding photography and videography account for about 15% of total wedding costs

Statistic 5

In the UK, the average cost of a wedding is around £18,000

Statistic 6

The average honeymoon expenditure is $4,500

Statistic 7

Cake costs typically represent about 2-3% of total wedding costs

Statistic 8

The average wedding couple spends approximately 12 hours planning their wedding

Statistic 9

Wedding registered guests tend to spend an average of $150 per person on gifts

Statistic 10

The wedding industry’s marketing spend on social media advertising is projected to reach $3 billion globally in 2024

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The average engagement ring cost is approximately $6,000 in the US

Statistic 12

The average wedding videographer charges around $1,500, with prices varying based on location and package

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The average cost of wedding decor ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on style and venue

Statistic 14

The average wedding day makeup and hair costs about $300 to $500 per person

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The average cost of wedding transportation (limos, buses, etc.) is around $1,200, depending on distance and style

Statistic 16

The average number of hours spent on wedding décor planning is about 50 hours per wedding

Statistic 17

About 45% of couples hire a DJ for music, making it the most popular entertainment choice

Statistic 18

The average number of wedding photographers booked is 1.5, with couples often hiring multiple vendors for photography and videography

Statistic 19

The global wedding market size was valued at approximately $300 billion in 2020

Statistic 20

Over 2.5 million weddings are held annually in the United States

Statistic 21

Nearly 80% of couples in the U.S. hire a wedding planner or coordinator

Statistic 22

The global market for wedding jewelry was valued at over $15 billion in 2022

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The wedding industry in China is valued at approximately $50 billion

Statistic 24

The number of wedding-related searches on Pinterest increased by 20% in 2022

Statistic 25

The global wedding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4% through 2027

Statistic 26

The demand for eco-friendly and sustainable weddings increased by 35% between 2020-2022

Statistic 27

The wedding dress rental market is growing and is projected to reach $500 million by 2025

Statistic 28

Wedding invitations are often increasing in quality, with 55% of couples opting for custom-designed stationery

Statistic 29

Floral delivery services saw a 25% increase in wedding season bookings from 2020 to 2022

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Bridal boutiques report a 15% increase in customer inquiries during the spring season

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The global luxury wedding market is expected to reach $70 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5%

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The number of wedding venues available in the US has increased by 30% over the past decade, providing more options for couples

Statistic 33

More than 60% of couples incorporate video into their wedding, including live streaming or video recordings

Statistic 34

Wedding websites and digital invites are now used by over 75% of couples, replacing traditional paper invitations

Statistic 35

The use of drone photography at weddings has increased by 50% in recent years, offering unique aerial shots

Statistic 36

Approximately 70% of couples opt for floral arrangements for their wedding

Statistic 37

The average number of wedding guests in the U.S. is around 131

Statistic 38

Destination weddings account for approximately 25% of U.S. weddings

Statistic 39

The average length of a wedding ceremony in the US is 20-30 minutes

Statistic 40

About 65% of brides choose a wedding theme, with rustic and vintage being the most popular

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About 85% of wedding couples incorporate personalized details into their wedding

Statistic 42

The average age of a bride at first marriage is 28 in the US

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Nearly 60% of couples hold their wedding reception at a banquet hall or hotel

Statistic 44

Less than 10% of couples opt for a purely virtual wedding, even during the pandemic

Statistic 45

About 55% of couples plan to have a live band or DJ, with a significant portion opting for both

Statistic 46

The average number of bridesmaids in a wedding has decreased to around 4 in recent years

Statistic 47

The number of couples opting for micro-weddings (under 50 guests) doubled during the pandemic and remains popular

Statistic 48

The most popular months for weddings in the Northern Hemisphere are June, September, and October, accounting for over 60% of weddings

Statistic 49

About 40% of weddings now include a formal wedding cake, with others opting for alternative desserts

Statistic 50

Over 90% of wedding dresses are purchased off-the-rack or from bridal boutiques

Statistic 51

20% of couples now incorporate a same-sex ceremony into their wedding plans, reflecting growing inclusivity

Statistic 52

Nearly 65% of weddings include a professional officiant, often a religious or secular officiant

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The average number of wedding guests in Europe is approximately 110, slightly lower than in the US

Statistic 54

Wedding cake toppers made of acrylic or minimalist designs are trending, with 40% of couples choosing these options

Statistic 55

About 15% of couples opt for eco-friendly or green wedding favors, reflecting sustainability trends

Statistic 56

Culinary trends show a 20% rise in plant-based wedding menus from 2020 to 2023, catering to vegan and vegetarian couples

Statistic 57

Approximately 10% of couples incorporate cultural or traditional elements from their heritage into their ceremonies

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Key Highlights

The global wedding market size was valued at approximately $300 billion in 2020
The average cost of a wedding in the United States was $28,000 in 2022
Over 2.5 million weddings are held annually in the United States
The majority of couples in the U.S. spend between $15,000 and $30,000 on their wedding
Nearly 80% of couples in the U.S. hire a wedding planner or coordinator
The average dress cost for a bride is approximately $1,600
Wedding photography and videography account for about 15% of total wedding costs
Approximately 70% of couples opt for floral arrangements for their wedding
The average number of wedding guests in the U.S. is around 131
Destination weddings account for approximately 25% of U.S. weddings
The global market for wedding jewelry was valued at over $15 billion in 2022
The average length of a wedding ceremony in the US is 20-30 minutes
About 65% of brides choose a wedding theme, with rustic and vintage being the most popular

The $300 billion global wedding industry is experiencing rapid growth and evolving trends, with couples increasingly investing in personalized, eco-friendly, and diversified celebrations amidst a booming market valued at billions worldwide.

Cost and Spending Patterns

The average cost of a wedding in the United States was $28,000 in 2022
The majority of couples in the U.S. spend between $15,000 and $30,000 on their wedding
The average dress cost for a bride is approximately $1,600
Wedding photography and videography account for about 15% of total wedding costs
In the UK, the average cost of a wedding is around £18,000
The average honeymoon expenditure is $4,500
Cake costs typically represent about 2-3% of total wedding costs
The average wedding couple spends approximately 12 hours planning their wedding
Wedding registered guests tend to spend an average of $150 per person on gifts
The wedding industry’s marketing spend on social media advertising is projected to reach $3 billion globally in 2024
The average engagement ring cost is approximately $6,000 in the US
The average wedding videographer charges around $1,500, with prices varying based on location and package
The average cost of wedding decor ranges from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on style and venue
The average wedding day makeup and hair costs about $300 to $500 per person
The average cost of wedding transportation (limos, buses, etc.) is around $1,200, depending on distance and style
The average number of hours spent on wedding décor planning is about 50 hours per wedding

Cost and Spending Patterns Interpretation

With US couples spending upwards of $28,000 on their big day — and hours of planning, photographing, and decorating — it’s clear that in the wedding industry, love might be priceless, but the bill isn’t!

Industry and Market Segments

About 45% of couples hire a DJ for music, making it the most popular entertainment choice
The average number of wedding photographers booked is 1.5, with couples often hiring multiple vendors for photography and videography

Industry and Market Segments Interpretation

With nearly half of couples opting for a DJ to keep the dance floor alive and most booking more than one photography vendor to capture every angle, it’s clear that modern weddings prioritize both the beat and the brilliance—making entertainment and visual storytelling the true star players of the celebration.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global wedding market size was valued at approximately $300 billion in 2020
Over 2.5 million weddings are held annually in the United States
Nearly 80% of couples in the U.S. hire a wedding planner or coordinator
The global market for wedding jewelry was valued at over $15 billion in 2022
The wedding industry in China is valued at approximately $50 billion
The number of wedding-related searches on Pinterest increased by 20% in 2022
The global wedding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4% through 2027
The demand for eco-friendly and sustainable weddings increased by 35% between 2020-2022
The wedding dress rental market is growing and is projected to reach $500 million by 2025
Wedding invitations are often increasing in quality, with 55% of couples opting for custom-designed stationery
Floral delivery services saw a 25% increase in wedding season bookings from 2020 to 2022
Bridal boutiques report a 15% increase in customer inquiries during the spring season
The global luxury wedding market is expected to reach $70 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5%
The number of wedding venues available in the US has increased by 30% over the past decade, providing more options for couples

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With the global wedding industry eclipsing $300 billion and steadily expanding at a 4% CAGR—driven by a surge in eco-conscious choices, sophisticated stationery, and an ever-growing menu of venues—it's clear that tying the knot has become less of a simple ceremony and more of an elaborate, billion-dollar global celebration where couples are not just saying “I do” but investing in a meticulously crafted, trend-driven experience.

Technology and Innovation in Weddings

More than 60% of couples incorporate video into their wedding, including live streaming or video recordings
Wedding websites and digital invites are now used by over 75% of couples, replacing traditional paper invitations
The use of drone photography at weddings has increased by 50% in recent years, offering unique aerial shots

Technology and Innovation in Weddings Interpretation

As the wedding industry soars into the digital skies—embracing over 60% video inclusion, 75% digital invites, and a 50% surge in drone photography—couples are blending technology with tradition to craft unforgettable, picture-perfect celebrations.

Wedding Types and Preferences

Approximately 70% of couples opt for floral arrangements for their wedding
The average number of wedding guests in the U.S. is around 131
Destination weddings account for approximately 25% of U.S. weddings
The average length of a wedding ceremony in the US is 20-30 minutes
About 65% of brides choose a wedding theme, with rustic and vintage being the most popular
About 85% of wedding couples incorporate personalized details into their wedding
The average age of a bride at first marriage is 28 in the US
Nearly 60% of couples hold their wedding reception at a banquet hall or hotel
Less than 10% of couples opt for a purely virtual wedding, even during the pandemic
About 55% of couples plan to have a live band or DJ, with a significant portion opting for both
The average number of bridesmaids in a wedding has decreased to around 4 in recent years
The number of couples opting for micro-weddings (under 50 guests) doubled during the pandemic and remains popular
The most popular months for weddings in the Northern Hemisphere are June, September, and October, accounting for over 60% of weddings
About 40% of weddings now include a formal wedding cake, with others opting for alternative desserts
Over 90% of wedding dresses are purchased off-the-rack or from bridal boutiques
20% of couples now incorporate a same-sex ceremony into their wedding plans, reflecting growing inclusivity
Nearly 65% of weddings include a professional officiant, often a religious or secular officiant
The average number of wedding guests in Europe is approximately 110, slightly lower than in the US
Wedding cake toppers made of acrylic or minimalist designs are trending, with 40% of couples choosing these options
About 15% of couples opt for eco-friendly or green wedding favors, reflecting sustainability trends
Culinary trends show a 20% rise in plant-based wedding menus from 2020 to 2023, catering to vegan and vegetarian couples
Approximately 10% of couples incorporate cultural or traditional elements from their heritage into their ceremonies

Wedding Types and Preferences Interpretation

While couples continue to personalize their big day—from rustic themes and micro-weddings to eco-friendly favors and inclusive vows—the steadfast 70% floral preference coupled with a 20-30 minute ceremony reminds us that in the wedding industry, as in life, tradition blossoms alongside innovation.