From multi-tiered cakes to designer gowns and Instagram-worthy venues, couples in America are spending more than ever on their weddings. The average cost of a U.S. wedding now sits at $35,000, and in some states, that figure is significantly higher. But while many believe a high price tag equals a stronger start, a new study from Mark Broumand, suggests otherwise: there’s no link between expensive weddings and long-lasting marriages.
The Price of “I Do”
The study analyzed wedding costs across the United States and compared them to the average marriage length in each state.
- New Jersey tops the list with an eye-watering $55,000 average wedding cost.
- California couples spend around $41,000.
- Utah couples spend the least, averaging $17,000.
Despite these differences, marriage length barely changes. The average American marriage lasts 20 years—whether the couple spent $55,000 or $17,000 on their big day.
State-by-State Surprises
The results reveal no consistent connection between money spent and marriage length:
- Wisconsin couples spend a modest $29,000 but enjoy one of the longest average marriage spans at 22.7 years.
- Texas couples spend close to the national average ($32,000) yet average just 17.6 years of marriage—one of the shortest spans in the nation.
- Utah, with the lowest wedding costs, also posts a shorter-than-average marriage span of 18 years.
Meanwhile, higher-spending states like New Jersey and California fall right in line with the national 20-year average, further proving that the wedding budget has no predictive power when it comes to marital endurance.
Why Big Spending Can Backfire
While expensive weddings don’t guarantee longer marriages, they often introduce problems early in the relationship. Over two-thirds of couples go into debt to fund their wedding. Nearly one in four is still paying off wedding debt months or even years later.
Money issues are a leading cause of conflict in marriages, and beginning a union with thousands in debt can create strain before the honeymoon phase even ends. One in five couples admits they’ve questioned their marriage because of financial stress tied to wedding costs.
The irony? Many newlyweds later regret overspending on the party itself and wish they had put more money into shared experiences, particularly their honeymoon.
Lessons From Around the World
Globally, the same pattern holds true:
- Australia: Average weddings cost up to $51,000, yet marriages average just 12 years.
- United Kingdom & France: Both spend heavily on weddings, but marriages typically last 11–13 years.
- Italy: Weddings cost less on average than in the U.S., yet Italian marriages average 18 years, some of the longest globally.
- Qatar: Despite wide variations in wedding cost, marriages average fewer than five years.
The global findings emphasize that cultural expectations, social support systems, and shared values play a much greater role in marital longevity than spending.
What Actually Strengthens a Marriage?
If money isn’t the answer, what is? Research highlights a handful of consistent predictors of marital success:
- Honeymoons matter. An Emory University study found couples who took a honeymoon were 41% less likely to divorce.
- Support systems count. Weddings with larger guest lists correlate with lower divorce rates, as community backing can reinforce commitment.
- Financial transparency. Couples who openly discuss money and set shared goals report greater satisfaction.
- Emotional intimacy. Studies consistently show that couples with strong communication and emotional closeness are most likely to endure.
These findings reinforce that it’s not the size of the checkbook but the strength of the connection that makes marriages last.
Busting the Big Wedding Myth
Whether in New Jersey, Utah, or abroad, the study reaches a clear conclusion: lavish ceremonies don’t equal lifelong partnerships. Big weddings may make for beautiful photos, but they don’t guarantee a happy ending.
“The size of the wedding budget may impress your guests, but it doesn’t predict how long you’ll stay together,” the report concludes. “What matters most is what couples build once the party is over.”
