Getting married is becoming noticeably more expensive this year, as couples face higher bills for nearly every part of the celebration. Wedding-related spending is up 8.5% from a year earlier, according to a new Bank of America Institute analysis of payment data, with costs rising for services and goods ranging from catering to floral arrangements.
The increase appears to reflect a mix of broader inflation and price pressures tied to President Trump’s wide-ranging tariff policies. Inflation accelerated in May, when it jumped to 4.2% on an annualized basis, marking its highest level in more than three years.
For many couples, a wedding remains one of the largest expenses they will take on, often comparable to the cost of buying a car. In 2025, the average wedding cost $36,000, up $3,000 from the prior year, Bank of America said, citing figures from the registry site Zola.
To gauge the trend, the Bank of America Institute examined customers’ credit and debit card purchases, along with bank transfer data, to estimate spending on wedding-related expenses such as venue rentals, catering, photography, florists and apparel.
Still, the final price tag can vary widely depending on what kind of event a couple chooses to host. Guest count, location, venue type and overall style can all play a major role in determining the total cost, the group noted.
Tariffs have also emerged as an unexpected factor in wedding budgets. Imported goods such as flowers and cocoa, a key ingredient in chocolates and desserts, have become more expensive, and businesses facing higher tariff-related costs often pass at least part of that burden on to customers.
Where is wedding spending growing the fastest?
The report also found notable regional differences. Wedding spending by couples in the South rose five times faster than spending by couples in the Midwest, a gap the Bank of America Institute said may reflect differences in local costs of living or in the types of weddings couples are planning.
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Generational patterns are shifting as well. Weddings among Gen Z couples have tripled since 2019, while millennial weddings have declined by about 20% over the same period, according to the report. Bank of America said the data may suggest that the milestone of marriage is moving toward younger Americans.
Some long-standing wedding traditions are also evolving. More couples are choosing lab-grown diamonds over natural stones, according to the report, suggesting many are looking for less expensive rings.
