Weddings are ideally a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of love, so brides and grooms are often willing to spend a small fortune on the big day. According to wedding industry research company The Wedding Report Inc., the average American wedding costs over $25,000, though many are significantly more expensive.
Flowers, dresses, tuxedos, food, and rings can all rack up a large bill for the families of the couple, or the couple themselves — and that’s not counting the bill from wedding planners hired to make everything move smoothly. While weddings can be costly anywhere, the amount Americans spend on nuptials varies from one state to the next.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from The Wedding Report Inc. to determine the cost of a wedding in every state. Many of the most expensive states to host a wedding are in the Northeast, while the least expensive states are in the South.
Click here to see the cost of a wedding in every state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
50. Mississippi
> Cost of typical wedding: $15,581
> Number of weddings in 2017: 16,532 (15th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,049 (the lowest)
> Average ring cost: $2,841 (the lowest)
> Median household income: $40,528 (the lowest)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
49. Alabama
> Cost of typical wedding: $17,766
> Number of weddings in 2017: 34,964 (22nd most)
> Average dress cost: $1,089 (2nd lowest)
> Average ring cost: $2,951 (2nd lowest)
> Median household income: $44,758 (4th lowest)
Source: Adventure_Photo / Getty Images
48. Arkansas
> Cost of typical wedding: $17,935
> Number of weddings in 2017: 30,933 (23rd fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,119 (11th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,087 (7th lowest)
> Median household income: $42,336 (2nd lowest)
Source: KristianGjorgjiev / iStock
47. Kentucky
> Cost of typical wedding: $18,223
> Number of weddings in 2017: 32,135 (25th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,104 (5th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $2,994 (3rd lowest)
> Median household income: $44,811 (5th lowest)
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Source: yehor / iStock
46. West Virginia
> Cost of typical wedding: $18,468
> Number of weddings in 2017: 13,780 (14th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,150 (17th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,096 (9th lowest)
> Median household income: $42,644 (3rd lowest)
Source: KristianGjorgjiev / iStock
45. New Mexico
> Cost of typical wedding: $18,954
> Number of weddings in 2017: 11,258 (11th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,104 (6th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $2,994 (4th lowest)
> Median household income: $45,674 (7th lowest)
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Source: Rawpixel / iStock
44. Tennessee
> Cost of typical wedding: $19,101
> Number of weddings in 2017: 57,079 (12th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,104 (7th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $2,994 (5th lowest)
> Median household income: $46,574 (8th lowest)
Source: Mario Tama / Getty Images
43. Louisiana
> Cost of typical wedding: $19,977
> Number of weddings in 2017: 32,329 (25th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,156 (20th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,189 (19th lowest)
> Median household income: $45,652 (6th lowest)
Source: Jikaboom / iStock
42. Idaho
> Cost of typical wedding: $20,724
> Number of weddings in 2017: 13,058 (13th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,125 (13th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,053 (6th lowest)
> Median household income: $49,174 (14th lowest)
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Source: eyfoto / Getty Images
41. South Carolina
> Cost of typical wedding: $20,846
> Number of weddings in 2017: 33,176 (23rd most)
> Average dress cost: $1,177 (24th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,172 (16th lowest)
> Median household income: $46,898 (9th lowest)
Source: AgnosticPreachersKid. / Wikimedia Commons
40. North Carolina
> Cost of typical wedding: $20,950
> Number of weddings in 2017: 67,541 (8th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,168 (23rd lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,147 (15th lowest)
> Median household income: $48,256 (11th lowest)
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Source: WorldExotc21 / Getty Images
39. Missouri
> Cost of typical wedding: $20,951
> Number of weddings in 2017: 41,602 (17th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,089 (3rd lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,113 (10th lowest)
> Median household income: $49,593 (15th lowest)
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38. Montana
> Cost of typical wedding: $21,179
> Number of weddings in 2017: 8,276 (8th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,150 (18th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,121 (12th lowest)
> Median household income: $48,380 (12th lowest)
Source: KristianGjorgjiev / iStock
37. Oklahoma
> Cost of typical wedding: $21,475
> Number of weddings in 2017: 28,470 (22nd fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,159 (21st lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,198 (21st lowest)
> Median household income: $48,038 (10th lowest)
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36. Florida
> Cost of typical wedding: $21,842
> Number of weddings in 2017: 168,166 (2nd most)
> Average dress cost: $1,190 (23rd highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,206 (22nd lowest)
> Median household income: $48,900 (13th lowest)
Source: DGLimages / iStock
35. Michigan
> Cost of typical wedding: $21,850
> Number of weddings in 2017: 58,412 (11th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,095 (4th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,096 (8th lowest)
> Median household income: $50,803 (18th lowest)
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34. Ohio
> Cost of typical wedding: $22,026
> Number of weddings in 2017: 65,496 (9th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,104 (8th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,121 (11th lowest)
> Median household income: $50,674 (17th lowest)
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Source: Melnikof / iStock
33. Indiana
> Cost of typical wedding: $22,090
> Number of weddings in 2017: 45,705 (15th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,107 (9th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,130 (14th lowest)
> Median household income: $50,433 (16th lowest)
Source: wild_utopia / Getty Images
32. Arizona
> Cost of typical wedding: $22,338
> Number of weddings in 2017: 40,334 (18th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,150 (19th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,121 (13th lowest)
> Median household income: $51,340 (21st lowest)
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31. Georgia
> Cost of typical wedding: $22,589
> Number of weddings in 2017: 59,942 (10th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,177 (25th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,172 (17th lowest)
> Median household income: $51,037 (20th lowest)
Source: sylv1rob1 / Getty Images
30. South Dakota
> Cost of typical wedding: $22,854
> Number of weddings in 2017: 6,134 (6th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,125 (14th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,215 (23rd lowest)
> Median household income: $52,078 (22nd lowest)
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Source: Manakin / Getty Images
29. Nevada
> Cost of typical wedding: $23,008
> Number of weddings in 2017: 109,028 (5th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,183 (25th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,215 (25th lowest)
> Median household income: $53,094 (23rd lowest)
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28. Kansas
> Cost of typical wedding: $23,090
> Number of weddings in 2017: 17,507 (16th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,116 (10th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,189 (18th lowest)
> Median household income: $53,571 (25th lowest)
Source: aarontait / Flickr
27. Iowa
> Cost of typical wedding: $23,669
> Number of weddings in 2017: 19,576 (18th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,119 (12th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,198 (20th lowest)
> Median household income: $54,570 (24th highest)
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Source: BirgitKorber / Getty Images
26. Nebraska
> Cost of typical wedding: $23,798
> Number of weddings in 2017: 11,985 (12th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,125 (15th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,215 (24th lowest)
> Median household income: $54,384 (25th highest)
Source: tomtom022 / Getty Images
25. Wisconsin
> Cost of typical wedding: $24,681
> Number of weddings in 2017: 32,865 (24th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,141 (16th lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,223 (25th highest)
> Median household income: $54,610 (23rd highest)
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Source: AmyKerk / Getty Images
24. Texas
> Cost of typical wedding: $25,327
> Number of weddings in 2017: 157,577 (3rd most)
> Average dress cost: $1,205 (20th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,325 (21st highest)
> Median household income: $54,727 (22nd highest)
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23. Oregon
> Cost of typical wedding: $26,605
> Number of weddings in 2017: 28,226 (21st fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,336 (14th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,657 (15th highest)
> Median household income: $53,270 (24th lowest)
Source: magmarcz / Getty Images
22. Illinois
> Cost of typical wedding: $26,700
> Number of weddings in 2017: 71,834 (7th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,165 (22nd lowest)
> Average ring cost: $3,291 (23rd highest)
> Median household income: $59,196 (16th highest)
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Source: Jill_InspiredByDesign / Getty Images
21. Maine
> Cost of typical wedding: $26,780
> Number of weddings in 2017: 9,697 (10th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,281 (16th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,759 (13th highest)
> Median household income: $50,826 (19th lowest)
Source: ASphotowed / iStock
20. Wyoming
> Cost of typical wedding: $27,003
> Number of weddings in 2017: 4,235 (the fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,199 (21st highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,257 (24th highest)
> Median household income: $59,143 (17th highest)
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Source: Rawpixel / iStock
19. North Dakota
> Cost of typical wedding: $27,494
> Number of weddings in 2017: 4,485 (2nd fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,186 (24th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,385 (19th highest)
> Median household income: $59,114 (18th highest)
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18. Utah
> Cost of typical wedding: $27,953
> Number of weddings in 2017: 25,553 (20th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,217 (19th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,308 (22nd highest)
> Median household income: $62,518 (13th highest)
Source: Nadtochiy / iStock
17. Minnesota
> Cost of typical wedding: $28,132
> Number of weddings in 2017: 31,616 (24th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,196 (22nd highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,411 (18th highest)
> Median household income: $63,217 (10th highest)
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Source: Adventure_Photo / Getty Images
16. Colorado
> Cost of typical wedding: $28,590
> Number of weddings in 2017: 36,823 (20th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,241 (18th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,376 (20th highest)
> Median household income: $62,520 (12th highest)
Source: Eastlyn Bright / iStock
15. Delaware
> Cost of typical wedding: $28,970
> Number of weddings in 2017: 5,686 (5th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,275 (17th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,445 (17th highest)
> Median household income: $61,017 (14th highest)
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Source: Halfpoint / iStock
14. Pennsylvania
> Cost of typical wedding: $29,891
> Number of weddings in 2017: 73,216 (6th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,345 (11th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,802 (12th highest)
> Median household income: $54,895 (21st highest)
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Source: Danielle Griffin / iStock
13. Virginia
> Cost of typical wedding: $30,197
> Number of weddings in 2017: 57,037 (13th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,296 (15th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,504 (16th highest)
> Median household income: $66,149 (8th highest)
Source: lll0228 / Getty Images
12. Washington
> Cost of typical wedding: $30,629
> Number of weddings in 2017: 45,077 (16th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,339 (12th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,666 (14th highest)
> Median household income: $62,848 (11th highest)
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Source: Mmaxmax / Getty Images
11. Vermont
> Cost of typical wedding: $31,250
> Number of weddings in 2017: 5,581 (4th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,336 (13th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,912 (10th highest)
> Median household income: $56,104 (20th highest)
Source: Bytmonas / Getty Images
10. Rhode Island
> Cost of typical wedding: $32,090
> Number of weddings in 2017: 6,645 (7th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,351 (10th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,955 (8th highest)
> Median household income: $58,387 (19th highest)
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Source: JodiJacobson / Getty Images
9. California
> Cost of typical wedding: $32,770
> Number of weddings in 2017: 246,700 (the most)
> Average dress cost: $1,433 (6th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,929 (9th highest)
> Median household income: $63,783 (9th highest)
Source: Erstudiostok / iStock
8. Maryland
> Cost of typical wedding: $34,503
> Number of weddings in 2017: 36,934 (19th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,430 (8th highest)
> Average ring cost: $3,878 (11th highest)
> Median household income: $76,067 (the highest)
Source: isa3863 / Getty Images
7. New Hampshire
> Cost of typical wedding: $35,300
> Number of weddings in 2017: 9,326 (9th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,382 (9th highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,040 (7th highest)
> Median household income: $68,485 (7th highest)
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Source: KristinaJovanovic / iStock
6. Alaska
> Cost of typical wedding: $35,401
> Number of weddings in 2017: 5,345 (3rd fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,476 (4th highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,048 (6th highest)
> Median household income: $74,444 (2nd highest)
Source: Weekend Images Inc. / Getty Images
5. New York
> Cost of typical wedding: $35,477
> Number of weddings in 2017: 137,984 (4th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,476 (3rd highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,167 (5th highest)
> Median household income: $60,741 (15th highest)
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Source: capecodphoto / Getty Images
4. Massachusetts
> Cost of typical wedding: $36,709
> Number of weddings in 2017: 36,732 (21st most)
> Average dress cost: $1,430 (7th highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,176 (4th highest)
> Median household income: $70,954 (6th highest)
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Source: Romanno / iStock
3. Connecticut
> Cost of typical wedding: $36,971
> Number of weddings in 2017: 18,685 (17th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,434 (5th highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,184 (3rd highest)
> Median household income: $71,755 (5th highest)
Source: kuzelv / Getty Images
2. New Jersey
> Cost of typical wedding: $38,049
> Number of weddings in 2017: 47,854 (14th most)
> Average dress cost: $1,501 (2nd highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,235 (2nd highest)
> Median household income: $73,702 (3rd highest)
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Source: DmitryYakunin / Getty Images
1. Hawaii
> Cost of typical wedding: $39,078
> Number of weddings in 2017: 22,630 (19th fewest)
> Average dress cost: $1,635 (the highest)
> Average ring cost: $4,491 (the highest)
> Median household income: $71,977 (4th highest)
Detailed Findings
Hawaii has the highest average wedding cost at $37,078 — more than $1,000 ahead of New Jersey, which was the state with costliest average wedding tab on last year’s list.
Generally, couples in the Northeast region of the country spend more tying the knot than anywhere else in the United States. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York come in after New Jersey and Hawaii as the states with the most expensive weddings.
Wedding costs can be affected by regional differences in the price of goods and services. Since Alaska and Hawaii are geographically isolated, prices there tend to be much higher compared to the lower 48 states. Both states have wedding costs in excess of $35,000.
The cost of a state’s average wedding tends to be affected by the typical state income, as people in more affluent areas have more money to spend.
Only Americans in eight states — Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Louisiana — spend less than $20,000 on the average wedding. All of these states rank near the nation’s bottom in median household income and typically have lower costs of living.
Methodology
To identify the cost of a wedding in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2017 average cost of a wedding in every state from wedding industry research company The Wedding Report, Inc. The estimated number of 2017 weddings in each state as well as the cost of engagement rings and other items also came from The Wedding Report, Inc. Average household income figures came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Consumer Survey.
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