The average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $35,000 in the US and £20,700 in the UK – how are people spending that money?
Weddings are expensive. That much we know.
The average cost of a wedding in the US in 2023 was $35,000, according to industry website The Knot. In the UK, the average cost of a wedding was £20,700.
For the wedding: $38,000
For the sangeet, a pre-wedding ceremony focused on song and dance: $6,400
Haldi, a pre-wedding purification ceremony: $285 – Indian-style pizza.
Sangeet: $2,500 – catered by an Indian restaurant in Manassas.
Wedding day: included in venue cost
For the sangeet: table centerpieces, a backdrop for dance performances and a mehendi station.
For the wedding: mandap (wedding canopy) for the wedding ceremony, table centerpieces and decoration for the stage at the reception.
Bride: three lehenga cholis (a formal South Asian three-piece outfit consisting of a long skirt known as a lehenga, a fitted top known as a choli and a dupatta or scarf) for the sangeet, wedding ceremony and reception.
Groom: a kurta set (a long, loose tunic and pants) for the sangeet, a sherwani (a fitted, knee length coat) for the wedding ceremony and a rental tuxedo for the reception.
Bridesmaids: five lehenga cholis.
Groomsmen: five kurta sets.
Mother of the bride: three outfits for the sangeet, wedding ceremony and reception.
Father of the bride: three outfits for the sangeet, wedding ceremony and reception.
Groom’s family: clothing was purchased by them and not included in the cost.
Church + vicar fee (including drinks after the service): £1,400
Reception venue: £9,000
