Saying “I do” is getting more expensive, and many couples are rethinking what a dream wedding really looks like.
According to the wedding planning site Zola , the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. has risen to $36,000, up from $33,000 last year and about $25,000 a decade ago. The increase is prompting some couples to skip traditional venues and opt for more budget-friendly ceremonies.
At the Lee County Clerk of Courts office, courthouse weddings are becoming a popular alternative. In 2024, the clerk's office said 2,350 couples got married there. In the first three months of 2025, they've hosted 729 ceremonies.
"Some people, they get dressed up in their wedding outfits—gowns, tuxedos, they even bring flower girls. I mean, people really put a lot into it, and I'm glad that they do, because it's such an economical way of getting on with your next steps in your life," said Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes.
For $30, couples can host a small ceremony with up to 15 guests. That’s exactly what Anthony Metz and Laura Perez did on a recent Monday.
"We decided to do it here because it was a little bit on the cheaper side,” Metz said. “At some point, we want to have a party in Michigan.”
Rising prices are forcing couples to choose between a lavish celebration and financial practicality.
“We wanted to save a little money, use it on a trip or things we need,” Metz said.
Brittiny Gibson, owner of Florida Wedding Design and host of the “Wed Zen” podcast, attributes part of the rising costs to social media influence.
“Nowadays, the weddings that we're seeing are just so much of a production because of the social media outlets. I think that weddings have become Instagram-worthy and TikTok-worthy. And it's like trying to outdo each other almost," said Gibson.
In some cases, what bride-and-grooms-to-be are seeing online isn't realistic for them. It's why Gibson reminds couples to keep it simple and avoid comparing what they're planning to what they're seeing online.
"I have a bride bringing me an arch from Instagram that her friend got married under, and she loves that. This arch alone is $5,000. So, how much money do you have to spend?" Gibson said.
Gibson said ten years ago, she and her husband spent about $25,000 for an 80-person wedding. The average wedding budget among her clients now ranges from $80,000 to $250,000.
There's a term some people call the "wedding tax" — where catering companies, photographers, and other vendors seemingly charge more for a wedding compared to other events.
Gibson pointed to several reasons for the price differences.
"It's not like it's going to cost more just because it's for a wedding. With a wedding, there's a very high expectation, and it's also a lot of hours, generally. So, with the florist, it's not like it's going to cost more just because it's for a wedding. It's going to cost more because you picked more expensive flowers and candles and all the things that are going with it. Photography- if you're getting photography for your wedding, you may need ten hours. You're probably not going to need ten hours of photography for your birthday party."
Factors like inflation, global supply chain issues, and expected ripple effects from new tariffs are also playing a role in rising costs.
“Many flowers come from overseas,” she said. “We’re seeing the cost of florals go up, and that gets passed on to consumers.”
Heather Barkis, owner of Pure Bridal Boutique in Fort Myers, is doing what she can to avoid that.
“Every year, everything gets more expensive. That's life,” Barkis said. "I have been selling a lot of my gowns off the rack just to help brides save a little money, but still get their hands on a beautiful designer dress."
Both Barkis and Gibson suggest couples consider “micro weddings”—smaller events that focus spending where it matters most.
“The great thing about that is your food and beverage is going to be a lot lower because you're only feeding 30 people opposed to 150 or 200 people. So instantly, you're saving money by having a smaller group of people. That allows you to make the experience go further with your dollars," Gibson said.
She also recommends considering weekday weddings and setting a firm budget, then subtracting $5,000 right away to cover unexpected costs.
“You can still plan a nice wedding with whatever budget you have,” she said. “Just prioritize and pick your venue first.”
For Metz and Perez, a courthouse wedding was enough.
From the county clerk's office to the beach or a local park, couples can really get married anywhere. Gibson said it's important to remember what the big day is all about - you and your partner.
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