Oh my! Every day, 12,400 young individuals in the land of dreams—America—say goodbye to their single, independent lives and get married. Quite a number, right? You might be skeptical. Americans are known for valuing their freedom—studying, traveling, and dreaming in their youth. And you may be right. Because, interestingly, most of the 6,200 couples getting married each day are not doing so for the first time. One out of every three newlyweds is actually remarrying. This fascinating research was recently conducted by the International Association of Wedding Professionals in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau. Here are some captivating wedding facts from the U.S.—from the number of weddings per day to average age and guest count:
- 2.3 million couples get married in the U.S. each year—around 6,200 weddings per day.
- The average age of a bride is 25, while the average age of a groom is 26.
- The average number of guests at a wedding is 178.
- One in three people getting married is entering a second or later marriage.
- Each year, approximately 72 billion U.S. dollars are spent on weddings.
- The average wedding cost is $20,000 USD.
- About $19 billion is spent annually on wedding gifts.
- Roughly $8 billion is spent on honeymoons each year.
- On average, couples host around 200 guests.
- Most guests spend between $70–$80 on a gift.
- 99% of newlyweds go on a honeymoon.
- Weddings are three times more likely to be held on weekends than weekdays.
- 40% of couples honeymoon domestically within the U.S., while 60% travel abroad.
- Honeymoons usually last between 7–9 days.
- Top honeymoon destinations include Las Vegas, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Jamaica.
- 35% of brides hold a valid passport.
- 80% of weddings are held in religious venues such as churches.
- June is considered the most popular month for weddings in the U.S., followed by August, September, and October.
