What Are Real Couples Spending on Weddings?
Wondering what real couples are spending on weddings these days? You’re not alone. It might be one of the big first questions after the proposal. Before you set a budget, it’s smart to know what kinds of costs go into a wedding.
Let’s break it down using fresh data from trusted sources like The Wedding Report, The Knot, Zola, and more.
2024 Wedding Costs
Every year, The Knot releases a real wedding vendor report to dive deep into the weddings and experience of real couples. It’s one of the best resources for getting a true sense of what people spend. According to Knot’s 2025 Real Weddings Study, the average cost of a wedding is around $33,000. That might sound like a shock at first glance, but keep reading and you’ll see why these numbers vary so much.
Why Budgets Vary So Much
Average numbers include expensive, luxury weddings. That inflates averages above what many couples actually spend. SoFi suggests that the median wedding cost is about $10,000, showing many couples spend far less than average.
Top Wedding Vendors Hired
It’s no surprise that some vendors make nearly every couple’s must-hire list. These are the people who bring your day to life and make it all run smoothly. According to The Knot’s Wedding Report, here’s what couples typically spend on the most popular vendors:
- Wedding Dress: $2,100
- Venue: $12,200
- Photographer: $2,900
- Caterer: About $80 per guest
- Groom’s Attire: $320
- Cake: $540
- Hair & Makeup: $290
- DJ: $1,700
- Event Rentals: $2,000
- Florist: $2,700
What Couples are Spending on Iowa Weddings
In 2024, Iowa hosted 16,982 weddings, ranking it 33 out of 51 States, with an average cost of $29,996 and a median cost of $18,414, according to The Wedding Report. Guest counts typically hovered around 100–125, and barn venues, golf courses, and local wineries remained top venue choices across Des Moines, Ames, and Mason City/Clear Lake. Many Iowa couples prioritize DJ entertainment, photography, and videography, often bundling services to save. With lower venue and catering costs than coastal cities, Iowa continues to be a budget-friendly location for beautiful, heartfelt weddings.
Best Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding
If these numbers have your head spinning, take a deep breath. You have plenty of options to keep costs down.
By trimming your guest list, picking less busy months like January or March, and spending strategically on what matters most, you can plan a gorgeous day without blowing your budget. Local weekday weddings and Sunday celebrations are also on the rise, often coming at a much lower price point than Saturdays.
Check out our Tips & Tricks blog for a full list of the best ways to save money on your wedding.
Complete Weddings + Events – Des Moines + North Central Iowa Wedding Professionals
At the end of the day, we’re here to help make sure your wedding is everything you hope for—and still stays within budget.
When you book Complete Weddings + Events Des Moines for photo, video, DJ, photo booth, and coordination, we save you time and money and give you peace of mind so your big day can be stress-free!
Contact us now to get started.
