Wedding Expense Insights for 2020 Wedding Planning
Let’s face it. Unless you are in the wedding industry, you probably don’t plan a wedding every day.
If this is your first time planning a wedding, the anticipation of beginning the process can create a bit of anxiety. One way to prepare yourself is to review the reported average wedding costs by recently married local couples.
At the time of the writing of this article, researchers reported their findings regarding local wedding trends and spending behaviors in the Metro Detroit area. The report reflects a full year of survey results from couples in greater the Detroit metropolitan area.
Metro Detroit Average Wedding Expenses Summary
A report published by The Wedding Report Inc. that sampled newly-married Metro Detroiter’s reported that they spent an average of $25,449 towards their wedding. The projection for 2020 Metro Detroit wedding expenses is estimated to decline slightly to $24,838.
Here are the 2020 projected averages by some of the counties in Southeast Michigan:
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- Livingston: $28,545
- Macomb: $24,387
- Oakland: $29,185
- Washtenaw: $27,112
- Wayne: $20,027
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Breakdown of Average Wedding Expense
The following information reveals some of the reported wedding expenses accumulated in the Metro Detroit area. The expenses include weddings from those in the area, as well as those that traveled into this market for the wedding.
Attire & Accessories: $1,645
A little bling, the perfect dress, and a suit help couples make a fashion statement of their own.
Beauty & Spa: $153
When budgeting, don’t forget to factor in these expenses, including hair care, nails, and make-up.
Entertainment: $3,316
Make any wedding memorable by adding excitement and entertainment. Items included in this category are MC/DJ services, lighting, live bands, musicians, soloists, and ensemble.
Flower & Decorations: $1,774
A well-placed floral arrangement can transform a venue and ceremony locations. Adding a beautiful bouquet and a stately boutonniere can change an outfit from attractive to gorgeous. Items in this category included bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, event decorations, flowers, and centerpieces.
Gifts & Favors: $830
Many couples show appreciation by giving wedding favors and thank you gifts to guests, parents, and wedding party members. Gifts and gratuity for services are included here.
Stationery & Mailings: $894
Stationery item expenses including invitations, ceremony programs, engagement announcements, invitations, reception menus, save the date cards, place cards, thank-you cards, and postage all come under this category.
Jewelry: $4,883
Couples should budget for everything from the engagement ring and wedding bands to that stunning earrings and necklace set.
Photography & Videography: $4,077
Setting aside money to hire a professional photographer and videographer to capture this milestone is money well spent.
Items and services included in this category are digital photographs, photo CD/DVD, engagement photo sessions, photo booths, prints, wedding photo album books, wedding photographer, and videographer.
Wedding Planner & Consultant: $6,393
Wedding planners and consultants can be helpful to make sure that your wedding turns-out right. Services provided by these professionals range from full- service to a-la-carte.
Venue, Catering & Rentals: $14,356
One of the largest expenses for a wedding falls under this category. It includes products and services such as ceremony officiator, event accessories, bar services, food services, location rental, other miscellaneous rental items, a hotel room for after the reception, transportation rentals, rehearsal dinner expenses, wedding cake, and desserts.
Of course, every wedding is unique. Your wedding costs may be more expensive or possibly even less. For additional wedding budget assistance, here is a useful guideline to help you allocate your funds. Other resources are available on www.detroitweddingday.com.
Wedding Fund Allocation Recommendations
| Reception | 45%–50% |
| Gifts | 2%-3% |
| Photographer/Video | 10%-12% |
| Transportation | 2%-3% |
| Wedding Consultant | 5%-15% |
| Stationary | 2%-3% |
| Attire | 8%-10% |
| Ceremony | 2%-3% |
| Flowers | 7%-10% |
| Entertainment | 7%-10% |
| Rings | 2%-4% |
| Miscellaneous | 8% |
Spending Distribution
Reports show that approximately 28% of Metro Detroit area couples spent $20,000 or more for their wedding.
| Amount Spent on Wedding Percentage | % |
| $10,000 or less | 41.8% |
| $10,000 – $19,999 | 30.1% |
| $20,000 – $29,999 | 16.3% |
| $30,000 or more | 11.8% |
Seasonality of Weddings and Length of Engagement
Based on current trends, the average number of months Metro Detroit couples are engaged is 18.2 months. It comes as no surprise that the most popular months that these couples became engaged during the months of December (14.2%) and February (9.4%).
| Month of Wedding Percentage | % |
| January – March | 9% |
| April – June | 30.4% |
| July – September | 41.4% |
| October – December | 19.1% |
Guest List Details
Managing the guest list is one way of keeping a wedding budget under control. An average of 54% of Metro Detroit couples had between 50 to 150 guests attend their wedding celebration.
Here is a breakdown based on a percentage of attendance and the average amount spent on the wedding.
| Number of Guests | % | Average Spend |
| Less than 25 | 3 | $11,956 |
| 20 – 50 | 12 | $13,816 |
| 50 – 100 | 27 | $18,864 |
| 100 – 150 | 27 | $24,975 |
| 151 – 200 | 19 | $32,946 |
| 201 – 300 | 10 | $40,120 |
| 300+ | 3 | $82,631 |
