Key takeaways

• The average amount people plan to spend on a wedding is $31,281.
• More than 2 in 5 Americans (42%) don’t think a wedding is priceless and worth a splurge.
• 48% hope they don’t get asked to join a bridal/groomsman party this year because of the associated expenses.
• Guests would spend $174.95 on a wedding present on average, though 45% say they don’t know how much is appropriate to spend on a gift.
• The majority of Americans (71%) would prefer to get cash as a wedding gift to go toward financial goals, and nearly a third (32%) would want to receive or give stocks as a present.
• Close to 1 in 5 have spent more time planning for their current or future wedding than their retirement (19%).
• Some 42% don’t have savings set aside for big life milestones like a wedding or house.

Maybe I do

More than 2 in 5 Americans (42%) don’t think a wedding is worth the splurge, according to new Empower research. People plan to spend an average of $31,281 on their nuptials. That’s 11% less than what the average wedding ceremony and reception cost in 2023: $35,000.¹ Millennials say they’d shell out the most, at an average of $51,130.

When it comes to making financial decisions around the big day, the majority of Americans (74%) would not go into debt to pay for a wedding. Yet, many people tend to think in terms of the here and now “I dos” versus the longer term; nearly 1 in 5 (19%) of people say they are spending more time planning for their current or future wedding than they are for their retirement.

Almost half of Americans (48%) hope they aren’t asked to be part of a bridal or groomsman party this year because of the associated costs. Accounting for attire and additional events, the price of serving as a bridesmaid can clock in around $3,430.²

Something new: Fresh ideas on gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, nearly half of guests (45%) don’t know how much is appropriate to spend on a wedding present.

On average, guests say they’d spend $175 on a gift, with younger generations comfortable spending the most. Gen Z and Millennials say they’d shell out an average of $275 and $238, respectively, compared with Gen X at $149 and Boomers at $98.

Average price Americans would spend on a wedding gift

Over 7 in 10 (71%) would prefer to get cash as a wedding gift so they can put that money toward their financial goals. About a third (32%) overall (and 42% of Gen Z and 37% of Millennials) would want to receive or give stocks.

Saving up to say “I do”

Some 42% don’t have savings set aside for all life’s big milestones – including weddings – such as buying a house or car. It’s never too late to start a financial plan: Americans with a more detailed financial plan are about three times as likely to report greater happiness in money matters.

About the study

The Empower “Maybe I Do” study is based on online survey responses from 1,160 Americans ages 18+ fielded by YouGov from June 14-16, 2024. The survey is weighted to be nationally representative of U.S. adults (aged 18+).