Love is priceless, but weddings can be expensive, according to surveys of couples who recently wed or are planning upcoming nuptials.
In North Texas, the average cost of a wedding ceremony and reception in 2022 was $28,000, up 14.3% from 2019, per Axios. Weddings in Texas are projected to cost an additional $1,000 in 2023. That falls in line with the national average.
Nationwide, wedding costs increased by 7.1% (on average) from 2019 to 2022. The average price tag for a wedding in 2023 is projected to be $29,000.
But that doesn’t sound so bad compared to the most expensive location to plan a wedding. In Washington, D.C., the average projected cost of a wedding ceremony and reception in 2023 is $45,400, according to the wedding-planning website Zola. The second most expensive state for weddings is New Jersey, which averages $44,219 per wedding.
The least expensive state to plan a wedding is Alaska, where a couple can get hitched for an average cost of $12,083. The next least expensive state is North Dakota, at $12,917.
To help cover wedding costs, 29% of couples optimize their credit cards, 26% rely on savings accounts, and 24% request cash funds on their gift registries.
However, modern couples are not shy about requesting cash for other purposes, as well. Over 80% of couples include cash requests on their gift registry to use toward other expenses, such as traveling, purchasing a home, renovating a home, paying debts, paying student loans or education expenses, and more.
With some forethought and know-how, budget-conscious couples can still plan a lovely wedding without breaking the bank. NerdWallet offers a list of 25 ways to save on wedding expenses, such as picking an off-peak date, choosing a nontraditional venue, using electronic invitations and save-the-date notices instead of paper ones, and scouting decorations at craft stores and dollar stores.
There are many options for saving on bridal wear, as well. Brides can shop for their dresses at department stores, sample shops, or bridal consignment stores in lieu of the traditional made-to-order gown.
Another way to save is by keeping the guest list small and inviting only close friends and family. Trimming just 10-20 guests from the list can save as much as $1,000 in food, alcohol, and rental costs.
There are also numerous ways to save on the traditional wedding cake, which typically costs $600 or more. NerdWallet suggests sticking to a smaller two-tier cake for the wedding photos and supplementing with sheet cakes to ensure everyone gets a slice.
Grocery store bakery cakes can be dressed up with fresh flowers for a fraction of the cost of a professionally decorated wedding cake. Alternatively, forgo the cake altogether and serve cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, or whatever dessert suits your style.
For couples saying “I do” in the Big D, Zola offers a guide to local vendors, venues, top spots for wedding photos, regional trends, marriage licenses, general weather expectations, and travel for out-of-town guests.
