Metro Detroit 2021 Average Wedding Expense
Due to COVID19, the year 2020 took a toll on the wedding industry and couples alike. As a result of the pandemic, many couples postponed their wedding plans for future dates.
According to one national study, 20% of weddings scheduled for 2021 rescheduled the event for next year. For those couples who forged ahead with their wedding plans, many of them ended up saving significant amounts of money on their wedding ceremony and reception due to having smaller guest counts.
Couples planning their wedding for the first time may have little knowledge of the expenses associated with wedding planning. Here are the current spending trends in the Detroit Metro Area for the year ending in 2020.
Becoming familiar with trending spending habits can help soon-to-be couples make a plan and reduce wedding planning anxiety.
One way for couples to prepare themselves is to review the reported average wedding costs by recently married local couples. The Wedding Report, a research company that compiles wedding statistics, reports that 12,040 couples married in the Metro Detroit area in 2020. This figure is down by 42% compared to the prior year. Of those who got married, these couples spent an average of $23,726 on wedding expenses with median expenses of $14,986.
Understandably, 2020 expenses were generally lower than usual. However, researchers anticipate a rebound in growth in both 2021 and 2022. The estimates report that by the end of 2021, nearly 18,350 couples will marry in Metro Detroit.
So, what should local couples expect to spend on their wedding? Here are the survey results from couples who married in Southeast Michigan in 2020. Listed are both the spending trend averages and medians.
Average and Median Amount Spent Per Wedding Within the County
Lapeer: $22,647 average
(median spend $14,244)
Livingston: $25,291 average
(median spend $16,210)
Macomb: $23,369 average
(median spend $14,719)
Oakland: $25,948
(median spend $16,586)
St. Clair: $21,613 average
(median spend $13,993)
Washtenaw: $24,450 average
(median spend $15,517)
Wayne: $18,635 average
(median spend $11,468)
Now that we have identified the general expense totals, let’s take a deeper dive to look at the average amounts spent by category.
Attire & Accessories:
A little bling, the perfect dress, and a suit help couples make a fashion statement of their own. Couples spent an average of $1192 on wedding dresses and $207 on tuxedos or suits.
On average, an additional $216 was spent on accessories for the wedding dress, followed by an extra $102 on accessories for the tuxedo or suit.
Beauty & Spa:
When budgeting, don’t forget to factor in these expenses, including hair service, manicures, pedicures, and make-up. In 2020, couples spent an average of $174 on these services.
Entertainment:
Make any wedding memorable by adding excitement and entertainment. When using DJs or MCs, the couple spent an average of $702 on this service.
Other couples who used live entertainment spent around $594 for musicians, soloists, or ensembles. For those who hired a live band, they shelled out an average of $1640 for this attraction.
Flower & Decorations:
A well-placed floral arrangement can transform a venue and ceremony location. Adding a beautiful bouquet and a stately boutonniere can change an outfit from attractive to gorgeous.
For couples who purchased bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, venue floral decorations, flowers, and centerpieces, they reported spending a combined $1477 in 2020. This was $375 less than what was spent in 2019.
Gifts & Favors:
Many couples show appreciation by giving wedding favors and thank you gifts to guests, parents, and wedding party members. Couples spent approximately $571 on gifts for others. Also included in these expenses are the tips given to others for services rendered.
Stationery & Mailings:
Item expenses such as invitations, ceremony programs, engagement announcements, reception menus, save-the-date cards, place cards, guest booklet, thank-you cards, and postage all come under the stationary category.
In 2020, couples spent an average of $649 on these expenses.
Jewelry:
Couples should budget for everything from the engagement ring and wedding bands to that stunning earring and necklace set.
In general, the couple who got married in Metro Detroit spent an average of $3396 on the engagement rings, followed by a combined $1230 on wedding rings/bands. Another $529 was spent on other jewelry accessory pieces.
Photography & Videography:
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, prints, wedding photo album books, wedding photographer, and videographer. When all of the services were used collectively, couples spent on average $3,763 in 2020.
Couples who wanted the excitement of having a photo booth at their event added on average $355 to the budget last year.
Wedding Planner and Consultant:
Wedding planners and consultants can help make sure that the couple’s wedding turns out as expected.
Services provided by these professionals range from full-service wedding planners to a-la-carte. Couples paid services ranging an average of $689 to $2315.
On average, couples spent about 14% less on these services compared to past reported expenses.
Venue, Catering & Rentals:
One of the largest expenses for a wedding falls under this category. Of course, every wedding is unique. Each wedding expense will vary. Couples in the Metro Detroit area spent on average $10,029 on the venue, including food and bar service, venue
location, venue accessories, venue rentals, and dessert.
Additional expenses not included in this total are ceremony officiator fees, rehearsal dinner expenses, limo and other transportation rentals, and a hotel room for use after the reception. These add $1722 to the bottom line.
Spending Distribution:
Reports show that approximately 31% of Metro Detroit area couples spent $20,000 or more for their wedding.
Seasonality of Weddings and Length of Engagement:
Based on current trends, Metro Detroit couples are on average engaged for 18.2 months. The trending top three months to get engaged are December 14.2%, February 9.4% and March 8.3%.
For assistance allocating funds into various categories, use the helpful guide below. Other resources are available on detroitweddingday.com.
| WEDDING FUND ALLOCATION RECOMMENDATIONS | Percentage |
| 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% |
| AMOUNT SPENT ON WEDDING | Percentage |
| $10,000 or less | 35.5% |
| $10,000 – $20,000 | 33.5% |
| $20,001 – $30,000 | 17.9% |
| $30,001 or more | 13.1% |
