Illinois couples pay $4k more than national average for weddings. Here’s how to save
Looking to tie the knot soon? You may end up shelling out more than expected. After the pandemic caused couples to opt for smaller ceremonies, weddings are back in full swing, and so are the high price tags.
Illinois couples paid an average of $4,000 more than the national average for weddings in 2021, according to wedding media company The Knot.
While Missouri lovebirds typically pay less, celebrations in the St. Louis area cost more than they do in the rest of the state. The metro area’s average wedding cost was $25,164 in 2021, according to research company The Wedding Report.
The average cost per guest is up too, setting couples back $52 more per person in the U.S. than pre-pandemic (2019) figures.
As inflation affects costs while wages fail to keep up, you may be looking to avoid sticker shock and cut back on exorbitant wedding expenses. We asked Samantha Stegman, a wedding planner from By Your Side St. Louis, about typical wedding costs and budgeting tips.
Here’s information on how much your peers are paying for their weddings, along with tips for how to keep your celebration from breaking the bank.
How much do weddings in Illinois and St. Louis typically cost?
Stegman said wedding budgets vary widely by couple, but most celebrations in Belleville and St. Louis areas cost between $15,000 and $60,000. The $15,000 budgets involve smart planning, she said, and many couples spend amounts closer to the middle of the range.
The average price of a wedding (including ceremony and reception) in the U.S. was $28,000 in 2021, according to data from The Knot. The average price in 2020 was $19,000, but the disparity is in part explained by reduced guest numbers due to the pandemic.
Illinois couples paid more for weddings than the national average in 2021, while Missourians paid less. The average cost of a wedding in Illinois last year was $32,000, while Missouri’s number was $24,500.
U.S. weddings in 2021 had an average of 105 guests, while only 66 guests on average attended the year prior.
The cost per guest increased from $244 to $266 from 2020 to 2021, using The Knot’s numbers. The average cost per guest was $214 in 2019, with a typical guest list of 131.
The biggest sticker shocks can come from expenses related to venue, food and beverage, florals, photo/video and wedding attire, Stegman said.
Inflation of food prices has been an issue, according to Stegman, especially for meat products such as steak.
What can you do to save money on your wedding?
In no particular order, here are tips Stegman gave about cutting wedding costs.
Use greenery to fill out floral arrangements. Flowers are much more expensive than green alternatives, she said, and adding seeded eucalyptus, ivy or similar stems can help save money.
Choose flowers that are in season.
DIY pricey features such as a photo booth, invitations and any decorations you can.
Consider a Friday or Sunday wedding rather than a Saturday date. The less popular days can cost thousands less, and nuptials between November and February save even more.
Evaluate food and beverage options when choosing a venue. Many venues require you to use an in-house caterer or provide a short list of expensive catering options. Ask your favorite restaurant if it offers catering, as this can be cheaper than wedding-specific vendors.
Repurpose ceremony decorations for your reception. You can place bridesmaid bouquets in vases on the head table, and use any ceremony aisle decor for guest table centerpieces.
If you want the picture perfect cake-cutting moment without breaking the bank, opt for a small decorative couple’s cake and sheet cake for serving guests.
Rent groomsmen’s outfits. There are fewer options for renting bridesmaids’ dresses, Stegman said, but there are non-wedding-specific dress rental services that offer wedding-appropriate clothing.
Watch your use of paper products. To save money while being more sustainable, order fewer escort cards, programs, menus, etc. and let guests share.
For those serving alcohol, serve beer and wine rather than offering a large variety of mixed drinks.
