(NEXSTAR) — As the average wedding cost remains relatively consistent with pre-pandemic figures, couples organizing their big day must be increasingly discerning regarding venues and the timing of their celebration.
According to calculations by The Knot, a wedding set for 2025 may average around $33,000. However, couples can potentially keep expenses below this figure by carefully considering various factors — particularly the choice of month.
Analysis of data from The Knot reveals that, on average, weddings during May, July, October, September, June, and February tend to exceed the national average, with costs surpassing $33,000. Out of the twelve months, at least six are typically above the national benchmark.
May is the most expensive month to have a wedding in (though not the most popular, which would be October), with an average cost of $33,900.
The only month with an average wedding cost below $30,000 was January, based on 2024 data. The Knot explains that January weddings do still present some limitations (mostly related to weather), which accounts for the fact that only 2% of 2024 weddings happened in that month.
In addition to lower costs, another benefit of a January wedding, which many users in the Wedding planning subreddit and others like it is that because of the “off season” nature of the month, more venues and vendors will likely be available.
Another reason to be a fan of a January wedding?
It’s well-known that January can trigger “post holiday blues,” and a wedding might be just the perfect way for you and your guests to beat the sadness. One Redditor commented, “January can seem like such a long bleak comedown from Christmas that I’d say a lot of people would enjoy having an event to look forward to.”
