Here's how much couples are spending on weddings in 2025

Zola's director of communications shares how much U.S. couples are spending, on average, for weddings, and what they're most willing to splurge on.

67% of newlyweds in 2025 took on debt to pay for their wedding, a LendingTree survey finds. One in three couples say they felt pressured to overspend to impress guests. More than half of newlyweds regret how much they spent — and 16% have considered divorce over money.



LOS ANGELES - A dream wedding might look perfect on Instagram, but the price tag behind the big day is hitting couples hard in 2025. A new report from LendingTree reveals the growing financial strain weddings are placing on newlyweds, with two-thirds of couples saying they took on debt to celebrate their nuptials. And for many, the stress hasn’t ended at "I do.

" Regret, budget blowouts, and even early divorce considerations are becoming more common in the aftermath of overspending. By the numbers: Weddings in 2025 are rarely modest affairs. While a small portion of couples kept things under $20,000, the most common spending tier was $30,000 to $45,000, according to the survey.

The average honeymoon alone cost couples around $6,260—the single most expensive part of the celebration. Here’s how overall spending broke down: $30,000 to $44,999 – 26% $20,000 to $29,999 – 22% $45,000 to $59,999 – 17% $60,000 or more – 11% And while many couples dipped into savings, a significant number leaned on high-interest credit cards or personal loans to fill the gap. Among those still paying it off, 41% say it will take them at least a year.

The other side: The pressure to host the perfect wedding isn’t just internal—many couples say they felt compelled to impress their guests or meet social expectations. 34% of newlyweds admitted they spent more than they were comfortable with to impress others. 32% went over budget entirely.

Millennials were the most likely to overspend, at 36%. Social media influence, rising costs, and comparison culture all play a role. But in hindsight, couples say the most regrettable expenses were often the most visual: the venue, catering, floral arrangements, and entertainment.

What they're saying: Spending regrets are nearly as common as champagne toasts. A full 52% of newlyweds say they wish they had spent differently—split evenly between those who wish they spent more and those who wish they spent less. A bride and groom hold a piggy bank together, symbolizing the rising financial pressure many couples face when paying for their wedding in 2025.

(Getty Images. ) According to LendingTree’s Matt Schulz, regrets tend to follow when couples prioritize appearances over authenticity. "Spend on what really matters to you," he said.

"Don’t spend on what doesn’t." The most appreciated splurge? The honeymoon. Nearly a third of couples said it was the best money they spent—despite the cost.

Why you should care: Wedding costs aren’t just draining bank accounts—they’re straining relationships. 53% of couples say they argued about money either before or after their wedding. 16% said financial stress led them to consider divorce.

That number jumps to 19% among couples married less than a year. Open communication was cited as a key strategy for avoiding conflict. Schulz warns that partners who can’t talk openly about money before marriage may struggle even more afterward.

Big picture view: Most couples used a combination of sources to fund their wedding: 46% used personal savings 24% relied on credit cards 16% got help from parents or relatives 11% took out personal loans And when the celebration ended, many couples used their wedding gifts to stabilize: 41% used cash gifts for their honeymoon 24% used them to pay down wedding debt 22% put the money into savings Even as wedding prices soar, those with the lowest household incomes—under $30,000 annually—were the most satisfied with what they spent, perhaps reflecting simpler ceremonies or clearer priorities. The Source: This report is based on findings from a LendingTree survey conducted March 12–19, 2025, among 1,050 newlyweds across the United States. Data on wedding costs, spending regrets, and financial stress was collected and published by LendingTree on April 28, 2025.

All quotes and statistics are sourced directly from that report..