The top 5 most expensive wedding details

We polled nearly 18,000 brides to find out what they spent their budget on for the wedding, and the results are in!

By The Editors of TheKnot.com Mar 8, 2013 11:17PM

The average cost of a wedding in 2012 was $28,427 (an all-time high since 2008). So where does all that money go? Here are the top 5 priciest parts of the wedding (and the average spend in each category):

More from The Knot: 10 hidden wedding costs!

1. Venue: $12,905.

2. Engagement Ring: $5,431

3. Reception Band: $3,084

4. Photographer: $2,379

5. Florist/Décor: $1,997

See more details on average wedding costs in this infographic above. Are you surprised by any of these numbers?

More from The Knot: Who pays for the wedding?

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25Comments

Best

Mar 12, 2013 2:53PM

It is sad that people have forgotten that a wedding is about a promise, not a party.

Previous replies

magnahoof

Mar 12, 2013 3:06PM

theres no way im paying 28,000 dollars for a wedding, i dont have that kind of money, i could buy 16 acres of land up north and build a house on it for that much... i can tell you my girlfriend will agree that 28,000 is way ridiculous....

Previous replies

Mauvourneen

Mar 12, 2013 3:55PM

You know, saving money on wedding expenses is actually pretty easy. When I purchased my dress, I sorted the online results by price, and stopped when I reached the maximum amount I was willing to spend. That way, I wouldn't even SEE dresses outside of my budget, and wouldn't be tempted. My husband and I searched local venues, and ultimately decided on our local library. The library is a converted mansion, so our ceremony was held in a big, marble room with Victorian furniture. The cost was by time, the shortest being 2 hours. That was plenty of time for set up, the ceremony, and take down. The cost was $250.

I'm not a fan of diamonds. I told my husband that above all else, I'd really like a tungsten ring. Together, our rings were about $150. I designed the invitations myself, and uploaded the image to an online printing service. The RSVP was printed on a post card, because the cost of a post card stamp is cheaper th****tter stamp. I paid apx $150 for my invitations and RSVP cards after postage.

For the music, I made 3 playlists on a iPod. The first was "cocktail and dinner" which, obviously, was played during the cocktail hour and during dinner, then "first dance" and finally "dance." I asked a trusted relative to switch the playlists over at the appropriate times. I made each playlist extra long just in case, and made sure to include music everyone would enjoy. I choose not to have a DJ because I'm not fond of disco or new wave... I made the executive decision not to play "YMCA." I think everyone was fine with that.

Previous replies

SillyStork

Mar 12, 2013 5:24PM

I do not understand why "fairy-tale wedding" is synonymous with "spend enough money to buy a small house". My engagement ring didn't cost thousands, it doesn't even have a jewel & I love it! It's not about the money spent, or the extravagance of the event & food & clothes; it's about the love of the bride & groom. $28,000 cannot manufacture that love.

Previous replies

Hurley1980

Mar 12, 2013 4:54PM

Weddings are out of control right now! I'm planning mine and we are keeping it under $5k and at about 60 ppl. We are having it at my in-laws house. Basically, a quick ceremony followed by a huge party. Why the need to spend all this money on one day? The only things you really need are your friends and family, food (and possibly booze), a pretty dress, and maybe a photographer. You don't have to spend $2k on one either. Our photog is $650 for 4 hours. We are also doing cupcakes instead of cake. I think wedding are more fun when they aren't so formal and expensive. No one really likes those black tie event weddings anyway!

Previous replies

G10146

Mar 12, 2013 7:52PM

Does a couple want a wedding or a marriage? These costs are outrageous. It is absolutely possible, even today, to have a wonderful celebration and not start out with massive debt.

Plan your own wedding, forget the party favors (who needs more useless stuff!), invite the people the two of you want to be present, not who the mothers want. If you want a party, throw a party after you get back from Vegas!

Previous replies

islmryk

Mar 12, 2013 8:38PM

I made my wedding dress and the attendents dresses, put my own flowers together, used the church's parish hall for the reception, got a super deal on the tux's for my husband and groomsmen. Cake was made by a relative who was a baker, photography was done by a friend and was given to us as a wedding gift. Had the rehersal dinner in my house. Total cost $150.00.

Previous replies

missmelann

Mar 12, 2013 6:18PM

I am planning my wedding for October of later this year, and our budget is roughly $9,000.00. I have spent about $7,000.00 - I bought a used wedding dress, my venue was amazing and let me pick my own caterer, DJ, photographer, and bartender. This saved a huge amount. My bartender allows us to buy the liquor in bulk and return any un-used portions for credit. Our venue was the most expensive part of the wedding, but was way more cost effiecient because it included tables, chairs, and was already decorated. Many brides get caught up in the moment and spend, spend, spend. At the end of the day, it's you and your future husband or wife, not the 300 people that you felt the urge to invite. It is better off to not start a marriage in debt.