The wedding industry is a huge and sophisticated ecosystem of businesses that provide goods and services to couples planning to get married.

Some examples of such businesses include wedding planners, caterers, florists, musicians/DJ/entertainment, and photographers and videographers. 

There is almost always some vendor that can fit into any wedding budget and preference.

Some couples want a full live band, and some want karaoke or a DJ.

Some couples want a lavish wedding while others want something minimal and simple.

It’s all about what they want.

Today, we will discuss some wedding industry statistics like the 2022 global worth of the industry, which came to over $72 billion (USD) and is expected to rise to $1 trillion by 2025.

Post Contents

Key Statistics 

  • The global wedding industry market size is expected to reach $414.2 billion by 2030. 
  • The U.S. wedding services industry market size accounts for $70.3 billion in revenue.
  • Data from 2019 shows that the average wedding in America costs $29.000.
  • There are nearly 400,000 wedding-related businesses in the United States as of 2021.
  • The highest rate of marriages occurs in Gaza, Fiji, Egypt, and the West Bank.
  • 31 countries on the globe recognize gay marriage as valid.
  • Polygamy is considered legal in 58 countries.
  • India has the shortest average planning time for a wedding.
  • September is the most popular month to get married in Australia.
  • The U.S. expects to experience 2.24 million weddings in 2023.

Top Wedding Industry Statistics in 2024

Wedding Industry Statistics

1. The global wedding industry market size is expected to reach $414.2 billion by 2030. 

In terms of the wedding services industry, the market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during the 2018-2030 forecast period to $414.2 billion (USD).

In 2020, this global market was worth $160.5 billion (USD).

Catering led the wedding services market in 2020. 

(Allied Market ResearchⓇ)

2. The U.S. wedding services industry market size accounts for $70.3 billion in revenue.

Data from 2023 revealed that the wedding services industry in the United States is expected to achieve a revenue of $70.3 billion (USD).

In 2022, this figure was $57.9 billion (USD).

Therefore, we see that this industry experienced substantial growth over the past year.

(EnterpriseAppsToday, Zippia)

3. Data from 2019 shows that the average wedding in America costs $29.000.

The highest global cost of the average wedding belongs to the United States at over $29,000 (USD) per wedding.

Spain ranks second at over $23.000 (USD) on average.

Countries where the average cost of a wedding is lowest including Mexico ($8,600 USD), Peru ($7,700 USD), and Chile ($7,400 USD).

The UK sits right in between Canada ($21,900 USD) and France ($17,600 USD) with $19,200 per wedding.

(Zippia)

4. There were almost 400,000 wedding-related businesses in the United States as of 2021.

In 2021, there were almost 400,000 businesses within the United States wedding industry.

This kind of data gives you the impression that this is a dynamic and massive industry in the United States.

That’s because it is a massive industry in America.

One of the driving factors is the diversity seen in this nation.

(ZipDo)

5. The highest rate of marriages occurs in Gaza, Fiji, Egypt, and the West Bank.

More than 9 marriages per 1,000 people occur in Gaza, Fiji, Egypt, the West Bank, Uzbekistan, and the Bahamas, according to statistics.

This data reveals that these countries are where the most weddings are conducted in the world. 

Gaza and the West Bank each experience 10 marriages out of every 1,000 people, giving them the lead over the others. 

(EnterpriseAppsToday, Statista)

6. 31 countries on the globe recognize gay marriage as valid.

31 countries on the globe recognize gay marriage as valid.

Gay marriages are recognized as legal and binding across 31 countries on the globe.

In 2020, Costa Rica became one of these 31 countries.

Other countries that recognize gay marriage include Australia, Cuba, France, Mexico, Germany, and Portugal to name a few.

The idea of same-sex marriage has yet to catch on all over the world.

(Statista)

7. Polygamy is considered legal in 58 countries.

There are more countries that have legalized polygamous marriages than there those who have gay marriages.

Polygamy is legal in 58 nations while same-sex marriage is only legal in 31 nations.

Polygamy is where a man has more than one wife, which is rare among most religions.

It’s not legal in the United States, but it is legal in Africa and the Middle East.

(Statista)

8. India has the shortest average planning time for a wedding.

We’re going to do a little comparison here about the average months to a wedding.

In India, the average number of months for planning a wedding is between 5 and 6 months.

That’s the shortest in the world.

In the United Kingdom and United States, this time frame is 15 to 16 months.

Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina each take an average time of 8 to 10 months.

(The Knot)

9. September is the most popular month to get married in Australia.

September is the most popular month to get married in Australia.

In terms of the most popular month to get married in Australia, which would be September at 13%.

March and April each account for 11% and October and November are third at 10% each.

The least popular months to get married in Australia are July (3%), December (5%), and January (6%).

June and August are both at 7%, February 8%, and May is 9%.

The time of year differs across regions/countries and one factor involves the weather.

(Easy Weddings AU)

10. The U.S. expects to experience 2.24 million weddings in 2023.

In America alone, it’s predicted that 2023 will have 2.24 million weddings.

This will show a boost from 2020 of 62.5% in the number of annual weddings.

This data tells us that more people are getting married in the United States, but there is also an uptake in other countries as well.

(Zippia)

11. 66% of weddings get postponed due to social dancing guidelines compliance.

One of the aspects of wedding planning and weddings in general is that they sometimes get postponed for various reasons.

The biggest reason at 66% is due to social dancing guidelines compliance.

Another 59% postponed, helping to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and 46% because friends or family couldn’t travel.

Postponed isn’t canceled, so weddings that must be postponed will go on once the issues are worked out.

(Zippia)

12. In 2020, the wedding industry experienced a 40% loss in revenue and business. 

The global pandemic created a reduction in weddings because people were trying to avoid the spread of the virus.

In fact, the wedding industry suffered a 40% loss in 2020 due to the pandemic.

This is global data that impacts the whole world.

Can you imagine being a bride and groom after months of planning in 2019 to 2020 just to have to squash the gathering?

(ZipDo)

13. 72% of brides reported that they wish they had spent more time selecting their entertainment.

One of the biggest aspects of planning a wedding is choosing your entertainment, or if you will have entertainment.

A whopping 72% of all brides admitted that they wish they had taken more time to choose their entertainment for their reception.

Moreover, 100% of survey respondents in Bride’s magazine said they would have spent more of their wedding budget on entertainment. 

(Stevie Ray Entertainment)

14. 27% of couples would prefer a wedding planner over doing themselves. 

27% of couples would prefer a wedding planner over doing themselves. 

Only 27% of couples surveyed said they would prefer to have a wedding planner rather than plan the wedding themselves.

Compare this with the 40% who said they would rather plan their own wedding.

Perhaps it depends on whether they are too busy or if they think they can handle the stress of it all.

(Gitnux Blog)

15. 77% of wedding industry vendors said they are raising prices.

Inflation is hitting the globe hard these days even in areas like the wedding industry.

In the United States alone, 77% of wedding industry vendors will need to raise prices on their services and goods in the coming year.

This data is from 2022, so couples saw higher 

(CNBC)

16. New Jersey, USA experienced the highest wedding cost at $51,000.

We have learned that the average cost of a wedding in the United States is over $29,000 (USD), but in New Jersey, that average cost is $51,000 (USD).

Utah is where the lowest average cost of a wedding occurs at $16,000.

Even at the lowest average cost, weddings are expensive.

With inflation rising, what will we see in the coming year?

(Motley Fool)

17. In Brazil, 63% of couples downloaded wedding planning apps to help then plan on the go.

Couples all over the world have been heavily relying on technology throughout their wedding planning voyage.

In Brazil, 63% of couples used wedding planning apps so they could plan while there were out and about.

In India, 60% of couples used wedding apps to communicate wedding details with family and guests.

Sending invitations, connecting with vendors, communicating with guests, and finding inspiration were all cited as reasons for using technology.

(The Knot)

18. The average age of both the bride and groom in Australia is 31.

Data shows that in Australia, the average age of a bride and a groom is 31.

In 2019, the average bride’s age was 28 and it was 29 for the groom.

It’s not a significant change, but it does show some difference in terms of choosing to wait longer to wed.

Some of this is also due to 2020 wedding postponements due to the pandemic.

(Easy Weddings AU)

19. Globally, the wedding gown market in 2022 was $44.2 billion.

We all know that the wedding is all about that bridal gown.

In 2022, the bridal gown industry was worth a massive $44.2 billion (USD).

If it grows at a CAGR of 6.5% as expected, it will exceed $73.2 billion (USD) by 2030. 

(Globe Newswire)

20. Destination weddings make up 23% of the overall wedding industry market.

Destination weddings make up 23% of the overall wedding industry market.

It’s pretty impressive that 23% of the overall wedding industry is made up of destination weddings.

Not everyone can afford to go abroad for their wedding, but as couples desire to make their big day more special, destination weddings have become more popular.

They will save money to get to experience something memorable and special abroad.

Based on these statistics, how do you feel about destination weddings?

(Gitnux Blog)

Conclusion

One of the best things about the overall wedding industry is that couples can personalize their big day in whatever ways they choose.

Wedding industry businesses are flexible that way.

The main take away is that the wedding industry is ever-evolving and constantly growing all over the world.

The rise of technology has given wedding planning and other factors of weddings a big boost as more couples use apps and other tech to make more informed decisions for their big day. 

We hope you have learned a lot from these wedding industry statistics.

Whether you’re a marketer, a brand, or a consumer, you can find something that will interest and inform you.,

FAQs

What is the average cost of a wedding in the United States?

The average cost of a wedding in the United States is $33,900.

However, the cost of a wedding can vary depending on the location, the number of guests, and the type of wedding for starters.

What are the most popular wedding venues?

The most popular wedding venues are churches, hotels, and banquet halls.

However, couples are increasingly choosing to get married in unique and memorable locations, such as gardens, wineries, and breweries.

Outdoor weddings, beach weddings, and other destination weddings have also grown in popularity.

What are the most popular wedding colors?

The most popular colors used for weddings are white, off white, ivory, and champagne.

However, couples are increasingly choosing to use bolder and more unique colors, such as black, gold, and green. 

Popular wedding colors can change according to the season.

For instance, a Halloween wedding may feature black, purple, and orange, while a Christmas wedding may feature red, white, and green. 

Seasons also drive the preference in colors used for a wedding.

For example, a fall wedding may feature browns, golds, reds, oranges, and other fall colors.

Winter weddings may see colors like blue, white, red, green, etc.

What are the most popular wedding flowers?

The most popular wedding flowers are roses, lilies, and orchids.

However, couples are increasingly choosing to use unique and seasonal flowers, such as peonies, hydrangeas, and ranunculus.

What are the most popular wedding cakes?

The most popular wedding cakes are white, vanilla, and chocolate.

However, couples are increasingly choosing to use unique and flavorful cakes, such as red velvet, carrot cake, and tres leches cake.

What are the most popular wedding traditions?

The most popular wedding traditions are the exchanging of vows, the cutting of the cake, and the bouquet toss.

However, couples are increasingly choosing to personalize their weddings and omit or add their own unique traditions.

Sources

The KnotZippiaEnterpriseAppsToday
StatistaCNBCMotley Fool
Easy Weddings AUZipDoLending Tree
Globe NewswireGitnux BlogAllied Market Research
Stevie Ray Entertainment