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When it comes to expensive weddings, Long Island takes the cake — and the flowers, champagne, and the DJ too.
Long Island couples typically spare no expense when tying the knot and celebrating. Picturesque waterfront venues, gourmet catering and custom-designed floral arrangements are just the beginning, often accompanied by live entertainment, luxury transportation and elaborate decor.
It’s just what the Joneses are doing, after all — so keeping up is part of the celebration.
A new study confirms that Long Island weddings on average are the most expensive in the United States. The average cost of a wedding on Long Island is $58,245, which is nearly 70 percent higher than the national average of $34,679, according to research conducted by GroomsDay.
The next priciest place in America to exchange vows is Westchester, New York, where weddings carry a $48,100 average price tag. It’s a full $10,000 off the pace of Long Island, and then some.
Scroll down to see lists of the 10 most expensive and 5 least expensive places to marry.
Groomsday said its study explored all the key elements that make up the big day, including ceremony, reception and transportation costs, together with the amounts of money forked over for the wedding dress and tuxedo.
“A $60,000 wedding doesn’t guarantee 60,000 magical moments,” Groomsday founder Chris Bajda said, commenting on the findings. “We’re seeing more couples ditch the ‘bigger is better’ mindset and focus on what really matters — celebrating their love in ways that feel authentic to them, regardless of the price tag.”
Among the 59 places included in the study, the cheapest locale for weddings is Salt Lake City, Utah, where getting married on average costs $27,210.
Groomsday said its study analyzed wedding cost data from various cities and states across the United States. For state-level data, average wedding expenses in 2024 were calculated based on surveys of more than 4,000 couples, assuming a guest list of 100 people. City-level costs were derived from thousands of recent couple reviews on WeddingWire.
“We’re seeing a trend where couples are getting creative, whether it’s by choosing alternative locations, scaling down guest lists, or focusing on personalized touches rather than extravagance,” Bajda said.
Top 10 most expensive places for weddings
- Long Island — $58,245
- Westchester — $48,100
- Philadelphia — $47,996
- Boston — $47,394
- Hartford — $46,345
- Orange County, Calif. — $42,765
- San Francisco — $42,661
- Providence — $42,210
- Burlington, Vermont — $42,102
- Albany, New York — $42,100
The 5 least expensive places to wed
- 55. Las Vegas — $30,853
- 56. Portland, Oregon — $30,707
- 57. Jacksonville, Fla. — $30,495
- 58. Kansas City, Missouri — $29,135
- 59. Salt Lake City, Utah – $27,210
Top photo: Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown (Facebook/Lessing’s Weddings).