20+ Trending U.S. Wedding Industry Statistics [2026]: Understanding the Scale of the Wedding Industry

Research Summary. Marriage represents a beautiful celebration of love, yet it also constitutes a substantial multi-billion dollar industry in the United States. The wedding services sector is a vast operation, facilitating millions of weddings, employing thousands, and generating billions in revenue.

Despite its significance in American culture, the wedding industry faced significant challenges in recent years but is on a path to recovery.

• The market size of the wedding services industry in the United States is $70.3 billion as of 2026.

• The average cost of a wedding in the United States is $29,195 as of 2022, with current trends indicating further increases.

• There were 2.24 million weddings in the United States in 2023, equating to over 6,000 weddings every day.

• 63% of engaged couples faced postponements in 2020 due to the pandemic, reshaping their wedding plans.

• Estimates suggest a steady recovery with 2.5 million weddings projected for 2026.

For a deeper exploration, we categorized the data into the following sections:
Pandemic Impact | Costs | Trends

General Wedding Industry Statistics

• As of 2026, there are 413,597 wedding services businesses operating in the United States.

• 1,031,769 Americans are employed within the wedding industry.

• The U.S. wedding industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.0% through 2026.

Wedding Industry Statistics and the Pandemic

• In 2020, there was a 17% decrease in weddings compared to 2019.

  With 2.02 million marriages in 2019, only 1.6 million weddings occurred in 2020 due to the pandemic’s impact.

• The U.S. wedding industry’s revenue fell by 35.7% in 2020.

  This decline was mainly due to cancellations and significant downscaling of weddings. The impact was felt across the industry, affecting nearly a million workers.

• A study indicated that 82% of individuals felt a greater desire to marry post-pandemic.

  Many expressed a wish to have companionship through future challenges.

• Wedding costs fell by 21.67% in 2020.

  In 2019, the average cost stood at $24,700, dropping to $20,300 as couples scaled back. However, costs surged again in 2022, with averages reaching $29,195.

  

Wedding Industry Statistics by Costs

• The average wedding cost was $29,195 in 2022, reflecting a 33.5% increase from 2020.

  Couples invest in various elements to create their dream day, with wedding planners averaging nearly $2,000 and wedding dresses ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Venues can exceed $10,000, quickly inflating total costs.

• As of 2020, the average expenditure on engagement rings was $3,756.

  This is notably lower than the $7,829 average in 2018.

• In 2021, the average venue cost reached $10,700.

  This figure rose by $200 from 2019, reflecting the competitive market. Catering typically costs around $4,000, while photography fees range from $2,000 to $5,000.

• 72% of brides wish they had allocated more time to selecting reception entertainment.

  Almost all brides surveyed expressed a desire to invest more in entertainment if given the chance.

• The global bridal gown market reached an estimated $43.5 billion in 2022.

  Over five years, this market has expanded by over 33% from $32.5 billion.

Wedding Industry Trends and Projections

• In 2023, approximately 2.24 million weddings occurred, showcasing a significant recovery with a 62.5% increase since 2020.

• As of 2017, only 22% of weddings took place in religious venues, a drop from 41% in 2009, indicating changing preferences.

• Expected revenue for the wedding services industry is anticipated to reach $70.3 billion in 2026.

Wedding Industry Statistics FAQ

1. How big is the wedding industry?

   The wedding industry is enormous in the United States, with a market size exceeding $70 billion as of 2023. In 2022, there were 2,401,148 weddings in the U.S., or over 6,000 weddings daily, representing nearly 1% of the adult population.

2. Is the wedding industry growing?

   While the wedding industry has declined over recent years, a modest growth of 0.6% is expected in 2023. However, this follows a prolonged period of decline, with a 6.3% yearly decrease from 2017 to 2022.

3. How competitive is the wedding industry?

   The wedding industry is highly competitive. Given that couples often spend about 30% of their savings on their weddings, they are selective about their vendors. Failure to meet expectations can lead to quick business downfall in this industry.

4. How much do millennials spend on weddings?

   Millennials generally spend less on weddings compared to older generations. Engagement rings typically cost around $3,500 to $4,000, but many millennials prefer rings priced between $100 and $999. Surveys reveal that 90% of millennial women believe an engagement ring should not exceed $2,500.

5. What are the biggest challenges in the wedding planning industry?

   Key challenges in the wedding planning industry include time management, competitiveness, and ensuring client privacy.

   • Time management. Managing last-minute changes and tight deadlines can pose significant challenges for wedding service providers.

   • Competitiveness. The desire for the perfect wedding leads to fierce competition; if one venue cannot meet specific requests, competitors will likely step in.

   • Client privacy. Maintaining client confidentiality, particularly for high-profile weddings, can be quite challenging.

6. Does the U.S. spend the most on weddings?

   Yes, the United States spends more on weddings than any other nation in the world. In 2019, the average American wedding cost over $29,000, while Spain, the second-highest spender, averaged $23,400.

   

Conclusion

Many individuals envision their dream weddings, yet few consider the vastness of the wedding industry in the United States. The $70.3 billion wedding business plays a pivotal role in American society.

With an average of 2.24 million weddings each year, that translates to over 6,000 weddings daily—creating a shared anniversary experience for many.

The average wedding cost in 2022 was $29,195, underscoring the competitive nature of the industry. Presently, there are 413,597 wedding service businesses across the U.S., employing nearly a million Americans.

Despite facing severe challenges during the pandemic, with 63% of couples postponing their weddings, the industry is rebounding. There was a 17% reduction in weddings in 2020, with average costs falling by 21%. However, the U.S. wedding industry has shown resilience, with expectations of 2.5 million weddings in 2026, indicating a positive trend for the years to come.

References

1. Lending Tree. 63% of Engaged Couples Postponed Their Wedding Due to Coronavirus. Accessed on April 14, 2022

2. Forbes. The US Expects A Wedding Boom In 2022. Accessed on April 14, 2022

3. Statistica. Number of people who got married. Accessed on April 14, 2022

4. CDC.gov. FastStats – Marriage and Divorce. Accessed on April 14, 2022

5. Brides.com. Marriage in the ‘New’ America: A Pandemic, Equality, and an Industry Ready for Change. Accessed on April 14, 2022

6. Brides.com. How Much to Spend on an Engagement Ring. Accessed on April 14, 2022

7. The Knot. The Average Wedding Venue Cost & Why It’s On The Rise. Accessed on April 14, 2022

8. Wedding Wire. Wedding Catering Cost Guide. Accessed on April 14, 2022

9. Brides.com. How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost? Accessed on April 14, 2022

10. Stevie Ray Entertainment. Wedding Statistics and Interesting Facts About Weddings.

11. Statistica. Bridal Gown Market Size Worldwide 2017-2022. Accessed on April 14, 2022

12. Lifeway Research. Why No One May Be Getting Married at Your Church This Summer. Accessed on April 14, 2022

13. The Plunge. Millennials Spend Less, Bucking Wedding Traditions | The Plunge. Accessed on April 14, 2022

14. Entrepreneur.com. Challenges Faced in the Wedding Industry and How to Overcome Them?. Accessed on April 14, 2022

15. Statistica. Countries Spending the Most on Weddings. Accessed on April 14, 2022

16. Ibis World. Wedding Services in the US – Industry Data, Trends, Stats. Accessed on March 14, 2023

17. Wedding Report. 2022 Wedding Statistics for the United States. Accessed on March 14, 2023

18. Ibis World. Wedding Services in the US – Market Size. Accessed on March 14, 2023

19. Complete Wedding + Events. “The Bridal Industry in 2023: Trends, Profitability, and Business Outlook.” Accessed on March 14, 2023

Author

Abby McCain

Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.