Here's how much couples are spending on weddings in 2025

LOS ANGELES - A dream wedding might look perfect on Instagram, but the price tag behind the big day is hitting couples hard in 2025.

A new report from LendingTree reveals the growing financial strain weddings are placing on newlyweds, with two-thirds of couples saying they took on debt to celebrate their nuptials. And for many, the stress hasn’t ended at "I do." Regret, budget blowouts, and even early divorce considerations are becoming more common in the aftermath of overspending.

What’s the average cost of a wedding in 2025?

By the numbers:

Weddings in 2025 are rarely modest affairs. While a small portion of couples kept things under $20,000, the most common spending tier was $30,000 to $45,000, according to the survey.

The average honeymoon alone cost couples around $6,260—the single most expensive part of the celebration.

Here’s how overall spending broke down:

• $30,000 to $44,999 – 26%
• $20,000 to $29,999 – 22%
• $45,000 to $59,999 – 17%
• $60,000 or more – 11%

And while many couples dipped into savings, a significant number leaned on high-interest credit cards or personal loans to fill the gap. Among those still paying it off, 41% say it will take them at least a year.

Why are couples overspending on weddings?

The other side:

The pressure to host the perfect wedding isn’t just internal—many couples say they felt compelled to impress their guests or meet social expectations.

• 34% of newlyweds admitted they spent more than they were comfortable with to impress others.
• 32% went over budget entirely.
• Millennials were the most likely to overspend, at 36%.

Social media influence, rising costs, and comparison culture all play a role. But in hindsight, couples say the most regrettable expenses were often the most visual: the venue, catering, floral arrangements, and entertainment.

Do newlyweds regret their wedding spending?

What they're saying:

Spending regrets are nearly as common as champagne toasts. A full 52% of newlyweds say they wish they had spent differently—split evenly between those who wish they spent more and those who wish they spent less.

According to LendingTree’s Matt Schulz, regrets tend to follow when couples prioritize appearances over authenticity. "Spend on what really matters to you," he said. "Don’t spend on what doesn’t."

The most appreciated splurge? The honeymoon. Nearly a third of couples said it was the best money they spent—despite the cost.

Is wedding debt affecting relationships?

Why you should care:

Wedding costs aren’t just draining bank accounts—they’re straining relationships.

• 53% of couples say they argued about money either before or after their wedding.
• 16% said financial stress led them to consider divorce.
• That number jumps to 19% among couples married less than a year.

Open communication was cited as a key strategy for avoiding conflict. Schulz warns that partners who can’t talk openly about money before marriage may struggle even more afterward.

Where is the money coming from—and going?

Big picture view:

Most couples used a combination of sources to fund their wedding:

• 46% used personal savings
• 24% relied on credit cards
• 16% got help from parents or relatives
• 11% took out personal loans

And when the celebration ended, many couples used their wedding gifts to stabilize:

• 41% used cash gifts for their honeymoon
• 24% used them to pay down wedding debt
• 22% put the money into savings

Even as wedding prices soar, those with the lowest household incomes—under $30,000 annually—were the most satisfied with what they spent, perhaps reflecting simpler ceremonies or clearer priorities.

ConsumerMoneyPersonal Finance