VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Inflation is still hurting a lot of people’s pockets and it's also taking aim at love. The average cost of a wedding is increasing, shocking brides and grooms.
“I don't believe you should mortgage your house or take out a loan to have a nice wedding,” said Patty Ritzi-Teed, the owner of Premier Events who anchor Erin Miller has been working with to plan her wedding.
Ritzi-Teed said prices, especially flowers and transportation, have gone up tremendously this year.
“It's even shocked me — some of the quotes that I've gotten on behalf of brides,” she said.
According to Zola, a wedding planning platform, the average cost for a wedding in Virginia is $30,205.
In North Carolina, the average cost for a wedding is $28,170, which is more than last year.
“We have linen vendors who are now charging us a fee for anything coming across the ocean. They're charging a 10% surcharge [which then gets passed down to the client],” she said.
To help people plan for their wedding day, Zola put together the national average for wedding expenses in 2023, based on a total budget of around $29,000:
- Wedding venue: $6,500–$12,000
- Catering: $6,500–$10,000
- Band or DJ: $2,000–$7,000
- Wedding planner: $1,500–$4,750
- Photographer: $3,500–$6,500
- Videographer: $3,000–$6,000
- Flowers: $2,500–$6,000
- Transportation: $700–$1,200
- Cake: $600–$900
- Ceremony music: $500–$800
- Hair and makeup: $550–$850
"The reality of the cost of those things hits [clients] kind of hard when they come in and sit down and look at the bottom line,” said Ritzi-Teed. She also emphasized how important it is for couples to know their budget and stick to it.
Here are some tips if you’re looking to save money:
- Decide on what's important to you. Remember, you don't have to say "yes" to everything
- Consider getting married during the "off-season,” or on a Friday or Sunday when vendor prices are cheaper
- Trim your guest list, which can include cutting off "plus-ones"
- Choose greenery, candles, or other decor instead of flowers
- Purchase your own alcohol or utilize a cash bar
- Send electronic "save the dates" and invitations
- Use thrift stores or rental companies for clothing (wedding dress, rehearsal dress, suits, shoes, etc.)
