How expensive are NC weddings? What your bank account should expect for the big day
Wedding bells are chiming across North Carolina as “wedding season” approaches and many couples look to make up for time lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But as more couples look to secure venues, find the perfect dress and invite plenty of guests, they’re facing costs that are getting back up to pre-pandemic levels. Although the average cost of a wedding dropped in 2020 by almost $10,000, according to The Knot’s “Real Wedding Survey,” it’s already back up to 2019’s average.
Still, there are things you can do to keep costs under control.
Average wedding cost in North Carolina
Where you have your wedding plays a big part in the final cost.
“The cost of your wedding will likely depend on a variety of factors, including the number of guests, the number of vendors hired, style and, perhaps most significantly, where your big day takes place,” The Knot says.
The average wedding in North Carolina in 2021 cost $23,000, according to The Knot’s data.
That’s actually less than the national average, $28,000, but higher than 20 other states.
There aren’t too many savings to be found in neighboring states, The Knot’s data shows. The average wedding cost is just slightly lower in Tennessee, at $22,000. And it’s higher in South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, where the average wedding will cost you $26,000, $32,000 or $27,000, respectively.
Those figures don’t include the cost of an engagement ring, “which costs $6,000, on average.”
What’s the most expensive part of a wedding?
The highest cost for couples planning a wedding in 2021 was typically a reception venue: an average of $10,700.
Catering can also become a major expense, depending on how many guests you have. The average price per person, according to The Knot’s data, is $75. That means if you have the average number of guests, 105, you’d pay $7,875 to feed them all.
And a band tends to be more expensive than a DJ, an average of $4,300 vs. $1,400.
Is the ceremony more expensive during ‘wedding season’?
The Knot is predicting “a major recovery boom for weddings” in 2022, which means more competition among couples for venues and vendors, especially during “wedding season.”
“Our data indicates that we should expect 2.6 million weddings in 2022 compared to 2.2 million average U.S. weddings pre-pandemic,” the wedding planning site says. “Those early signs are already coming to fruition as over 75% of couples who got engaged in 2021 have already set a date for 2022.”
And “nearly 65%” of those couples “are opting to wed in the summer and fall of 2022,” AKA “wedding season.”
Planning your own wedding for those popular months — especially June, August and October — can drive up prices.
“For many couples, things like warm weather, an outdoor venue or fall foliage are important,” The Knot advises. “But this is the busiest time of the year for wedding venues and vendors, so costs will likely be higher.”
Conversely, you can often save some money if you’re willing to wed in the “off-season” months of January, February and March.
“Since there’s less demand, you’ll likely get quoted lower prices on your reception site, not to mention most of your other wedding services, like catering, photography and flowers (except around Valentine’s Day and Easter, of course, when roses and lilies are at a premium because they’re in high demand),” The Knot says.
This story was originally published March 30, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
