More than 2 million people get married in the United States each year, with Los Angeles being the second largest borough with the most weddings per year. Depending on where you live, the average cost of a wedding can vary significantly. In the United States, the average price for a wedding is currently29.858 $.
When it comes to budgeting, how much you spend depends heavily on where you live in the United States and what features you want for your wedding. If you live in a state like Idaho, the typical wedding costs $15,286.
This cost contrasts with the cost of a California wedding, where central California averages about $24,960. In Los Angeles, the typical price is $36,890, with an average cost of $264 per guest.
Why is the average cost of a Los Angeles wedding higher?
The breakdown of a typical wedding budget
Los Angeles is home to world-class cuisine, top celebrities and incredible attractions. Los Angeles is one of the top destinations for newlyweds because of its beautiful beaches and trendy places.
Wedding caterer costs
When it comes to booking providers, this added popularity means you'll find a higher price than you'd typically find elsewhere in the country. Summer is also the most popular season to get married, so prices can go up during this time no matter what country you are in.
To calculate the cost of your wedding suppliers, you must first select:
- Offerer
- Photographer
- DJ/Band
- Local
If you decide to have a backyard wedding and make your own dresses, you could end up paying less than other people for your vendors. Depending on your budget, you can have up to 13 different providers for your music, catering, cake, clothes, photography and other options.
Costs for your wedding caterer
Catering is a major expense at most weddings. This is especially true if you opt for an open bar. On average, you can expect to pay around $40 per person. If you're having a buffet, you can drop that price down to just $27 per person. Adding alcoholic beverages to your meal choices can add about an additional $15 per person to your cost. Overall, most couples in Los Angeles end up spending between $800 and $4,500 on catering, with the average cost being around $2,000.
Determining the cost of wedding locations in Los Angeles
You can expect the venue to have a rental fee of $1,500 to $2,500. Traditional options like a church aren't as expensive, but you can save even more by choosing a location like a beach or your backyard. You also need to find a place for your post-wedding reception. That price starts at $2,000, but you could end up paying more for a more luxurious venue or renting equipment like tables, chairs, and other items for your guests. The best way to find out the cost of your LA wedding is to contact aLos Angeles Ballroom near youto learn more about the cost of the data you're looking for.
Music menu - DJ/Band
Music is another area where you can lower the overall price with simple changes. While a band can charge up to $4,500 for live music, a DJ typically charges between $780 and $1,495 for the whole night.
wedding organizers
A wedding planner is extremely helpful when it comes to hiring bands and caterers. For many people, the price of a wedding planner is worth the extra money.
Average prices of wedding planners in Los Angeles
You can pay anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 depending on what you want. If you just want a wedding planner, you only pay $1,500. For a full-service planner, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
Photographer - How much does a wedding photographer cost in LA?
If you're paying someone to take photos at your event, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,150 to $3,000, with the average couple spending around $2,000. There is an additional fee for a videographer. If you have a friend who is an amateur photographer, this can save you a lot of money.
Bakery - The cost of a wedding cake in Los Angeles
Many bakers charge for wedding cakes piece by piece. Depending on factors such as the number of people you are feeding, delivery fees, cake cutting fees and the type of cake. On average, you can expect to pay around $400 to $600 for your custom wedding cake.
And while you're considering how many guests to invite, most wedding cakes are priced per piece and creative labor, not per cake!
Factors that affect the cost of your wedding cake:
- Angular and round shapes are more economical
- Vanilla and chocolate cakes are often cheaper than other flavors
- The more ornaments, the higher the cost. Keep it simple and add flowers to keep costs down
- Budget weddings use a display cake and provide guests with a separate cake.
You can reduce this even further by simply paying for everyone to eat half a slice, since most people only eat half a slice anyway. Also, some couples only pay for a small wedding cake and receive cakes to feed all guests to save money.
Additional Wedding Costs
wedding decorations
The business of marriage is a30 billion dollarsIndustrial and wedding decoration are part of this price. One of the biggest cost factors for wedding decorations is the florist. In Los Angeles, couples can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $2,450 for wedding flowers.
dress and tuxedo
The typical bride spends $1,050 on her dress. In general, this price can range from $400 to $1,700. The price may also increase if you need to make changes. At the Bridal & Tux da Cruz store in Santa Clarita, the average wedding dress costs about $1,600. And while you can buy a suit or tuxedo for around $350 on average, most grooms rent their suits.
favored
Wedding favors usually add up to around $200 to $300. If you're good at making crafts and buying things on sale, you can reduce those costs.
invitations
If you choose to hire a professional stationery company to design your wedding invitations, you may be spending thousands of dollars. At Swell Press Paper Co. in Redondo Beach, California, customers typically spend between $2,250 and $3,700 on semi-personalized wedding invitations. Printing your own maps or using a computer to create them can save you money.
marriage certificate
In Los Angeles County, a marriage license costs $91. You have 90 days to get married after the license is issued. If you also want a civil ceremony, the county charges an additional $35.
engagement ring and wedding rings
You can buy an engagement ring or wedding ring for $25 at Target, or spend $1 million on a custom ring. While the average cost of an engagement ring in Los Angeles is around $10,274, this is a part of the budget where you can really pick the price you want.
Calculating the cost of your Los Angeles wedding
Keeping track of your wedding budget can seem daunting, but luckily there are tools to help you get the job done. You can access aWedding Cost Calculatorto get a quick idea of what your current costs are, or even sign up for oneWedding expense trackerto manage all your wedding expenses throughout the planning process.
Maximize your wedding budget in Los Angeles
While the average Los Angeles wedding costs $36,890, there are a number of ways to bring that price down. You can ask friends to take photos, cook menu items, and create wedding favors. By saving money on some items, you can afford the things that matter most to you. With a little planning, you could be walking down the aisle at the wedding of your dreams.