What Is the Biggest Expense in a Wedding? How to Plan for Costs in 2025
Jun, 27 2025
If you’ve ever gasped at a wedding price tag, you’re not alone. Some folks spend more on their special day than the down payment on a house. The real shocker? It’s not always the dress, cake, or swanky honeymoon that swallows the bulk of your cash. One expense consistently climbs higher than the rest, and for most couples in 2025, it’s still not what you think.
The True Giant: Venue Costs and Why They Dominate
You might imagine the fairy-tale dress or that epic open bar as the big-ticket splurge, but the venue wins nearly every time. According to a popular 2024 wedding industry survey, the average couple in the U.S. spent around $12,500 just on their wedding venue, with cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco tipping even higher. That single line item often eats up about 30-40% of a couple’s total wedding budget. No surprise—it covers more than the room itself. Vendors typically lump in site fees, tables, chairs, linens, and sometimes even things like lighting, security, and parking. Some venues bundle in catering, driving the cost even higher.
Compare that to the next biggest expenses: food and beverage (roughly $70-150 per guest), followed by photography (averaging $2,500-5,000), and the dress itself (usually under $2,000 for most). Nothing comes close to the price tag of locking down a popular spot. Trendy barn venues, rooftop spaces, art galleries, and chic hotels can run between $10,000-$30,000 or more during peak season, especially on a Saturday.
If you’re toying with guest lists, remember this: every extra body means higher venue fees, more chairs, more meals, and sometimes even a bigger dance floor. It snowballs. Want to trim expenses fast? Slash that guest count, choose a Friday or Sunday, or look outside the city limits for creative, less costly spaces.
| Expense | National Average (2024) |
|---|---|
| Venue (with amenities) | $12,500 |
| Catering (per person) | $85 |
| Photography | $3,000 |
| Wedding Dress | $1,900 |
| Entertainment | $2,500 |
The demand for unique venues keeps prices high. Country clubs and high-end hotels often require a minimum spend on food and drink, pushing couples to spend more just to reserve the date. Even more, couples now favor venues with full-service packages—think everything bundled in—which seems like a simple solution but quietly racks up hidden charges. Local taxes, setup/teardown, and insurance can quietly inflate that base rate, too. Many folks are shocked to learn that a service fee (as high as 25% at some venues) gets tacked onto their bill, so read those contracts in triple-sized font.
Real Costs Behind the Wedding Dream Team
After you’ve kissed goodbye to your venue deposit, it’s time to wrangle the team: caterers, florists, photographers, DJs or bands, planners, and bakers. For most weddings, catering comes right on the venue’s heels in the budget race. Food and drink often soak up one-fifth or more of your total spend, so if your crowd loves steak and top-shelf wine, get ready for sticker shock. All told, couples usually drop between $8,000 to $15,000 on catering alone for a guest list of 100-120 people in major cities, but buffet or brunch-style receptions can cut costs by a third or more. Cash bar or signature cocktail stations offer a festive touch without breaking the bank.
Photography and videography might seem splurge-worthy (and trust me, having those memories can be priceless), but they rarely surpass the venue on cost. Couples invest between $2,500 and $5,000 for top-tier talent, and some add a highlight film that bumps up the price. Don’t forget hair, makeup, and attire for the wedding party, which can add another couple thousand to the tally. DJs and live bands add entertainment power but often range $1,200–$6,000, depending on the experience you want and the night’s duration. Floral designers bill on seasonality and scale, with lush centerpieces, ceremony arches, and bouquets quickly climbing to $5,000 or higher for large weddings.
wedding expenses are rarely just a handful of big-ticket bills. Each vendor comes with their own policy on payments, deposits, and sometimes, last-minute “upsells.” Always ask for a line-item breakdown and double-check what you’re signing. Pro tip: Some couples save thousands by choosing up-and-coming local photographers, going DIY on flowers with wholesale markets, or skipping paper invites for digital ones. Think about what matters most, and be ready to get creative.
Hidden Fees and the Sneaky Extras Nobody Warns You About
This is where things get tricky. Plenty of couples budget for the big things—venue, food, attire—but miss all the sneaky extras hiding between the lines. Service charges, gratuities, and taxes alone can add thousands. According to a 2024 budgeting report, up to 15% of wedding spending gets swallowed by these silent line items: cake-cutting fees, corkage, overtime charges, and ‘administrative’ costs you never see coming. Want a signature cocktail or late-night snack bar? Expect surcharges. Some venues charge for bringing in outside vendors, while others even add a per-person fee for valet parking or restroom attendants.
Rentals can also catch you off guard. Love those vintage chairs or grand linens? Chairs, charger plates, and upgraded glassware can add thousands if they’re not in your venue’s package. Don’t forget marriage license fees (averaging $40–$100 depending on your state), day-of insurance (which some venues require), and transportation if your ceremony and reception are in separate spots. Backup rain plans for outdoor weddings—think tent rentals—can be as much as $5,000 for a single day, depending on the size. Add up all these lines and you can see how the number on your spreadsheet just won’t sit still.
If you want to dodge the worst budget surprises, build in a buffer—wedding planners recommend about 10-15% just for the unexpected. And always ask venues and vendors directly, “What extra charges surprised couples before?” Sometimes the best way to save is knowing what people wish they'd known before signing the contract.
Smart Spending Tips and Creative Ways to Save
Getting married doesn’t have to mean draining your bank account. Plenty of couples pull off stunning weddings on a smaller budget by focusing on what matters most, then working the rest with a little creativity. One trick? Book your date on a Sunday afternoon or choose a winter month—venues often offer substantial discounts during off-peak times. If you love an outdoor wedding, city parks and gardens might rent space for less than $1,000, though you’ll want to plan for backup weather options.
Cake alternatives are huge right now. Couples go for doughnut walls, cupcake towers, or even ice cream bars instead of the traditional multi-tier cake, saving both cash and cleanup headaches. The same goes for attire: renting dresses and tuxes, shopping secondhand, or even borrowing items from friends (think jewelry or veils) keeps costs down. Flowers eat up budget fast, so work with seasonal blooms and fewer arrangements, or try greenery-heavy designs paired with candles for a lush but less expensive look.
Another big saver? Slim down the guest list. Fewer tables, meals, and party favors make an immediate difference. Some couples put their savings into one statement experience—a killer live band, a firework send-off, or a luxury honeymoon. DIY decor is easier than you’d think with YouTube tutorials and the help of crafty friends. And skip the expensive venue altogether: backyard weddings are rising in popularity, especially when paired with food trucks or potluck-style receptions. That sense of community—everyone chipping in—feels both personal and memorable.
One last savvy tip that people often overlook—ask for transparency from every vendor. Say, “Show me the out-the-door price.” Some will negotiate or toss in extras like cocktail hours or champagne toasts if you’re clear about your budget limits. The best reward? Getting to enjoy your big day, knowing you rocked a smart, intentional celebration without the weight of lingering bills.