GITNUX REPORT 2024

US Wedding Marriage Statistics: Costs, Trends, and Traditions Revealed

Unveiling the Surprising Wedding Marriage Statistics of 2021: Costs, Trends, and Traditions Revealed!

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

The average engagement ring cost in 2021 was $6,000

Statistic 2

The average length of an engagement is 15 months

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The most popular day to get engaged is Christmas Day

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33% of proposals happen on vacation

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The average engagement ring size is 1.2 carats

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The average age for a first marriage is 30 for men and 28 for women

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25% of weddings are interfaith

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73% of couples take a honeymoon

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33% of weddings take place in religious institutions

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20% of couples write their own wedding vows

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75% of couples have a wedding reception

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62% of couples have an outdoor ceremony

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45% of couples include cultural elements in their wedding ceremony

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The average wedding lasts 6 hours

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15% of couples write letters to each other on their wedding day

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30% of couples have a first look before the ceremony

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40% of couples incorporate a unity ceremony into their wedding

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35% of couples incorporate cultural traditions into their wedding

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The average cost of a wedding in the US in 2021 was $28,000

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The average cost of a wedding dress in 2021 was $1,800

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The average cost of wedding flowers is $2,300

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40% of couples pay for their wedding entirely on their own

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The average cost of a wedding cake is $500

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The average cost of wedding invitations is $590

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The average cost of wedding catering is $70 per person

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The average wedding ring cost for men is $510

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The average cost of a wedding videographer is $1,900

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The average cost of wedding transportation is $800

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The average cost of wedding favors is $400

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The average cost of a wedding band is $4,500

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The average cost of wedding rentals is $1,700

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The average wedding guest spends $430 to attend a wedding

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The average cost of a rehearsal dinner is $1,900

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The average cost of wedding hair and makeup is $300

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The average cost of wedding stationery is $590

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The average cost of a wedding venue is $10,500

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The average cost of wedding entertainment is $4,000

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October is the most popular month for weddings, with 17% of couples choosing this month

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The average number of wedding guests in 2021 was 105

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48% of couples create a wedding website

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7 out of 10 couples use online tools to plan their wedding

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22% of couples have a destination wedding

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91% of couples create a wedding registry

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83% of wedding guests are invited to both the ceremony and reception

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The average number of bridesmaids is 5

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34% of weddings take place in the summer months

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The average wedding dress shopping experience takes 3-6 appointments

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88% of couples create a wedding hashtag

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80% of couples create a wedding budget

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90% of couples use online resources to plan their wedding

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The average number of wedding dress alterations is 3

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19% of couples include their pets in their wedding

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50% of couples have a wedding shower

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67% of couples create a wedding website

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42% of couples use a wedding app to plan their big day

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The average number of wedding dress shopping companions is 3

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The average wedding planning process takes 13 months

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53% of couples create a custom wedding cocktail

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22% of couples have a themed wedding

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80% of couples create a wedding day timeline

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72% of couples hired a professional wedding photographer in 2021

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52% of couples hire a wedding planner

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The average number of wedding vendors hired is 14

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58% of couples hire a professional wedding DJ

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61% of couples hire a professional wedding officiant

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Summary

  • The average cost of a wedding in the US in 2021 was $28,000
  • 72% of couples hired a professional wedding photographer in 2021
  • October is the most popular month for weddings, with 17% of couples choosing this month
  • The average engagement ring cost in 2021 was $6,000
  • 33% of weddings take place in religious institutions
  • The average number of wedding guests in 2021 was 105
  • 48% of couples create a wedding website
  • The average cost of a wedding dress in 2021 was $1,800
  • 7 out of 10 couples use online tools to plan their wedding
  • The average length of an engagement is 15 months
  • 22% of couples have a destination wedding
  • The average cost of wedding flowers is $2,300
  • 91% of couples create a wedding registry
  • The average age for a first marriage is 30 for men and 28 for women
  • 40% of couples pay for their wedding entirely on their own

Move over, fairy tales, lets talk wedding reality! Did you know that the average cost of a wedding in the US in 2021 was a staggering $28,000? While 72% of couples splurged on a professional wedding photographer, October steals the show as the most popular month for tying the knot, with 17% of couples saying I do amidst autumn colors. From the price tag on engagement rings to the number of bridesmaids, this blog post delves into the fascinating world of wedding marriage statistics, revealing everything from budget breakdowns to quirky wedding day traditions. Get ready to be amazed (and maybe slightly terrified) by the numbers behind the big day!

Engagement

  • The average engagement ring cost in 2021 was $6,000
  • The average length of an engagement is 15 months
  • The most popular day to get engaged is Christmas Day
  • 33% of proposals happen on vacation
  • The average engagement ring size is 1.2 carats

Interpretation

In the wonderful world of weddings, it seems love truly knows no price tag—unless you're talking about the average engagement ring cost, which is a cool $6,000 in 2021. Apparently, patience is a virtue as the average engagement length is 15 months, proving that good things come to those who wait. And what better time to pop the question than Christmas Day, when the magic of the season is in the air and love is all around? If you want to ensure a resounding yes, it seems whisking your beloved away on vacation may just do the trick, as 33% of proposals happen in holiday bliss. And let's not forget the sparkle factor, with the average engagement ring size being a dazzling 1.2 carats—because when it comes to love and diamonds, bigger is always better!

Marriage Statistics

  • The average age for a first marriage is 30 for men and 28 for women
  • 25% of weddings are interfaith
  • 73% of couples take a honeymoon

Interpretation

In a world where the average first-time bride and groom are delaying their walk down the aisle in favor of a little extra seasoning, it seems Cupid is still playing matchmaker across religious lines, with a quarter of weddings being interfaith unions. And despite the pressures of modern-day commitments, a whopping 73% of lovebirds still manage to swoop away on a post-nuptial escape. So, while marriage may not always be love at first sight, these statistics show that when it strikes, it can still lead to a lifetime of shared adventures and harmonious unions.

Wedding Ceremonies

  • 33% of weddings take place in religious institutions
  • 20% of couples write their own wedding vows
  • 75% of couples have a wedding reception
  • 62% of couples have an outdoor ceremony
  • 45% of couples include cultural elements in their wedding ceremony
  • The average wedding lasts 6 hours
  • 15% of couples write letters to each other on their wedding day
  • 30% of couples have a first look before the ceremony
  • 40% of couples incorporate a unity ceremony into their wedding
  • 35% of couples incorporate cultural traditions into their wedding

Interpretation

These wedding statistics paint a colorful picture of modern marriage trends, where tradition and personalization happily coexist. From vows penned with love to cultural elements woven into ceremonies, couples are embracing the opportunity to make their big day uniquely theirs. With outdoor ceremonies on the rise and unity ceremonies gaining popularity, weddings today are a blend of old and new, promising a vibrant celebration that lasts not just six hours but a lifetime of cherished memories.

Wedding Costs

  • The average cost of a wedding in the US in 2021 was $28,000
  • The average cost of a wedding dress in 2021 was $1,800
  • The average cost of wedding flowers is $2,300
  • 40% of couples pay for their wedding entirely on their own
  • The average cost of a wedding cake is $500
  • The average cost of wedding invitations is $590
  • The average cost of wedding catering is $70 per person
  • The average wedding ring cost for men is $510
  • The average cost of a wedding videographer is $1,900
  • The average cost of wedding transportation is $800
  • The average cost of wedding favors is $400
  • The average cost of a wedding band is $4,500
  • The average cost of wedding rentals is $1,700
  • The average wedding guest spends $430 to attend a wedding
  • The average cost of a rehearsal dinner is $1,900
  • The average cost of wedding hair and makeup is $300
  • The average cost of wedding stationery is $590
  • The average cost of a wedding venue is $10,500
  • The average cost of wedding entertainment is $4,000

Interpretation

In the grand extravaganza that is the modern American wedding, it seems that the price tag for love is now set at a whopping $28,000. From the ritzy wedding dress at $1,800 to the overpriced wedding band at $4,500, every aspect of the union comes with a hefty price. With couples shelling out eye-watering amounts for flowers, catering, and even transportation, it's clear that the business of saying "I do" has become a lucrative industry. However, one can't help but wonder if all this glitz and glamour is truly necessary for a lasting marriage, or if perhaps love is the only priceless commodity needed to tie the knot.

Wedding Planning

  • October is the most popular month for weddings, with 17% of couples choosing this month
  • The average number of wedding guests in 2021 was 105
  • 48% of couples create a wedding website
  • 7 out of 10 couples use online tools to plan their wedding
  • 22% of couples have a destination wedding
  • 91% of couples create a wedding registry
  • 83% of wedding guests are invited to both the ceremony and reception
  • The average number of bridesmaids is 5
  • 34% of weddings take place in the summer months
  • The average wedding dress shopping experience takes 3-6 appointments
  • 88% of couples create a wedding hashtag
  • 80% of couples create a wedding budget
  • 90% of couples use online resources to plan their wedding
  • The average number of wedding dress alterations is 3
  • 19% of couples include their pets in their wedding
  • 50% of couples have a wedding shower
  • 67% of couples create a wedding website
  • 42% of couples use a wedding app to plan their big day
  • The average number of wedding dress shopping companions is 3
  • The average wedding planning process takes 13 months
  • 53% of couples create a custom wedding cocktail
  • 22% of couples have a themed wedding
  • 80% of couples create a wedding day timeline

Interpretation

In the world of modern marriage, it seems October is the month to say "I do," as 17% of couples choose to tie the knot during this fall frenzy. With an average of 105 guests witnessing the joyful occasion, it's no surprise that nearly half of couples opt for a wedding website, while the majority turn to online tools to plan their big day. From destination dreams to wedding hashtag schemes, it's clear that today's couples are both practical and tech-savvy. With pets, custom cocktails, and themed affairs making their way into ceremonies, one thing is for sure: love may be timeless, but the methods of celebrating it continue to evolve.

Wedding Services

  • 72% of couples hired a professional wedding photographer in 2021
  • 52% of couples hire a wedding planner
  • The average number of wedding vendors hired is 14
  • 58% of couples hire a professional wedding DJ
  • 61% of couples hire a professional wedding officiant

Interpretation

In a world where couples are more likely to trust a professional photographer to capture their special day than a trusted friend with a smartphone, it seems that the wedding industry has cemented its place as the ultimate matchmaker in 2021. With over half of couples opting for the guidance of a wedding planner and an average of 14 vendors in tow, it's clear that modern love comes with a hefty entourage. From the smooth beats of a professional DJ to the solemn words of a wedding officiant, these statistics paint a picture of the meticulous orchestration that goes into saying "I do." Love is no longer just a leap of faith—it's a carefully curated production.

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