How much will your wedding cost in 2023? Here’s the breakdown — and priciest states

The average wedding this year will cost $29,000.

That’s from the latest report from wedding planning website Zola, which surveyed more than 4,000 couples.It’s up from $28,000 last year.

There are two reasons for the price: inflation and supply and demand.

“Wedding industry vendors have had to raise their rates because they’re also paying more for goods and services like food, flowers and labor,” Emily Forrest, Zola’s director of communications, told CNN.

Wedding budgeting

So what’s included in that wedding budget?

The venue is typically the biggest expense, followed by catering. These are some of the expenses to think about, according to Zola:

• 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

How to save

Of course, there are ways to save.

• Focus on values: You can prioritize what matters most to you as a couple. Is having a videographer and a live band a must for you? You can focus on that and save in another category.

• Thrifting: Think about shopping secondhand to save on wedding outfits and decorations.

• Cash: consider adding a personalized cash fund to your registry.

Here’s how much weddings cost on average across the country, Zola says:

• Washington, DC: $45,400

• New Jersey: $44,219

• New York: $43,863

• Massachusetts: $40,097

• Illinois: $36,844

• West Virginia: $33,333

• Pennsylvania: $32,562

• California: $32,369

• Connecticut: $31,350

• Louisiana: $31,100

• Virginia: $30,205

• Maryland: $29,928

• Rhode Island: $29,531

• South Carolina: $28,456

• Montana: $28,214

• North Carolina: $28,170

• Florida: $28,121

• Hawaii: $28,000

• Colorado: $25,625

• Minnesota: $25,377

• Georgia: $25,284

• Wisconsin: $25,242

• Mississippi: $25,000

• Kentucky: $24,565

• Indiana: $24,531

• Missouri: $24,293

• Ohio: $24,157

• Texas: $24,063

• South Dakota: $23,750

• Tennessee: $23,698

• Michigan: $23,586

• Arizona: $22,845

• Maine: $22,750

• New Hampshire: $22,667

• Nevada: $22,353

• Washington: $21,352

• Oregon: $20,955

• Alabama: $20,208

• Iowa: $20,000

• Nebraska: $19,643

• Delaware: $19,643

• Kansas: $18,690

• Utah: $18,409

• Wyoming: $16,111

• Idaho: $15,769

• Vermont: $15,000

• Arkansas: $14,545

• Oklahoma: $14,464

• New Mexico: $13,500

• North Dakota: $12,917

• Alaska: $12,083