How Much Does a Wedding Cost in 2025?

By Terry Meadows




What is the average cost of a wedding venue?

How do I create a wedding budget that fits my needs?

Do these questions sound familiar? You want to know what the wedding of your dreams will cost, and you want to make sure you are spending your money wisely.  Costs can spiral out of control if you don’t have a good understanding of each item.  

With our extensive experience hosting over 450 weddings, Zion Springs is well-equipped to guide couples in making the best choices for their special day. Below is a general guideline to help you understand typical wedding expenses, manage your budget effectively, and prioritize your wedding details.

Diagram of wedding expenses percentages.

What Do We Need to Decide Before Budgeting for a Wedding?



What is the Cost Breakdown for Our Wedding?

To get an idea of where and how much you will spend on your wedding, the data below shows the average costs that couples across Northern Virginia spend on each item.

CategoryItemAverage
Attire & AccessoriesDress Accessories$383
Tuxedo Accessories$171
Tuxedo/suit/other Rent/Purchase$407
Wedding Dress$2,298
BakeryWedding Cake/dessert$742
Beauty & SpaHair Service$126
Makeup Service$104
Manicure & Pedicure$80
EntertainmentDJ/MC$1,400
Entertainment lighting$598
Live Band$3,562
Musician/s Soloist or Ensemble$1,238
Event VenueWedding Venue Bar Service$3,911
Wedding Venue Catering$7,600
Wedding Venue Location$8,437
Wedding Venue Rentals$2,797
Flowers & DecorationsBouquets$625
Boutonnieres Corsages$279
Wedding Venue Accessories$511
Wedding Venue Decorations$810
Wedding Venue Flowers & Arrangements$933
Wedding Venue Table Centerpieces$572
Gifts & FavorsGift/s for Attendants$162
Gift/s for Parents$206
Tips (for all services)$642
Wedding Favors$325
HotelBridal Suite$620
InvitationsCeremony Programs$183
Engagement Announcements$159
Guest Book$86
Invitations & Reply Cards$301
Postage$143
Reception Menus$178
Save the Date Cards$162
Table Name and Escort/place Cards$123
Thank You Cards$130
JewelryBracelet$287
Earrings$269
Engagement Ring$5,808
Necklace$356
Wedding ring/band for Partner 1$1,320
Wedding ring/band for Partner 2$786
OfficiantOfficiant$385
Other EventsRehearsal Dinner$1,097
Photography & VideoDigital or Photo dvd$430
Engagement Session$573
Photo Booth$613
Prints and/or Enlargements$456
Wedding Photographer$3,145
Wedding Videographer$2,247
Wedding album or photo book$796
Planner/CoordinatorWedding Coordinator$2,377
Wedding Planner$4,739
TransportationLimo Rental$764
Other Transportation$1,279


How Much Does a Wedding Venue Cost?

The cost of a wedding venue in Northern Virginia typically averages around $8,700. In addition to this, you can expect to spend approximately $2,892 on rentals, which might include items such as tents, tables, chairs, and other essential equipment. These figures can vary based on the venue's location, size, and amenities, so it's important to factor these costs into your overall budget.

How Much Does It Cost Per Wedding Guest?

The average cost in Northern Virginia is about $75 per person.

Guest numbers significantly impact certain budget items, such as catering, while others, like the wedding dress, remain relatively unaffected. Most couples tend to hover around the 120-guest limit, but the overall cost varies and doesn't necessarily increase exponentially as you add or subtract more people.

Adjusting your guest list might be the first step in fitting your wedding within your budget. Here's an average budget based on the number of guests:

wedding cost, dollar amount per guest

How Much do Wedding Vendors Cost?

Listen to your vendors as they usually have excellent ideas on how to be cost-effective with your decisions. Working with a wedding planner can mitigate unnecessary expenses, as they have established connections with preferred vendors and can offer more reasonable prices.

For example, a florist might suggest choosing flowers that are in season instead of insisting on a rare, expensive orchid. Similarly, a photographer might guide you to a beautiful, cost-effective field of wildflowers for your formal portraits instead of an expensive private garden.

wedding vendor costs

    To help you budget your wedding, consider using our Wedding Budget template to help you keep track of your costs.

    How Does the Time of Year and Day of the Week Affect Wedding Costs?

    Most weddings occur between May and October, so you can expect that demand for venues increases the prices.   You might consider an off-season wedding if you are looking to save money.


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    Navigating Wedding Costs: A Comprehensive Guide

    You may have felt unsure about how much to spend on your wedding and the costs involved, so in this article, we've covered various aspects of wedding budgeting, including typical cost breakdowns and tips for optimizing spending without compromising your vision.

    At Zion Springs we're passionate about educating couples, empowering them with knowledge to confidently plan their weddings.

    For more insights, visit our Answers and Advice page to explore topics like wedding planning and common mistakes to avoid. Let Zion Springs be your trusted partner as you begin this remarkable journey.

    Resources:  Wedding Report