The Pandemic Changed How Much We Spend on Weddings — Here's What Budgets Look Like in 2021

These are the key areas where couples have adjusted their wedding spending the most.

By: Jen Glantz

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How Weddings Have Changed

For some couples, the process of sitting down and coming up with a wedding budget can be equal parts exciting and headache-inducing. It’s no secret that planning your big celebration can come with quite the hefty — and unexpected — price tag.

Over the last year, the pandemic changed how couples are allocating money in their wedding budgets. They’re spending less than before, but spending more on new priorities that weren’t so important years ago. Let's take a look at what wedding budgets will look like in 2021 and beyond, as well as the areas where people are raising and lowering their spending.

Food Is High Priority

One of the biggest trends for 2021 will be smaller, more intimate weddings — and as couples lower their budgets for large-scale entertainment, they are increasing their budgets for something their guests will truly look forward to and enjoy: the food. To be considerate of guests, couples are opting for more sit-down meals instead of classic buffets. Since people might spend more time at their tables and less time on a crowded dance floor, making sure there’s constant food throughout the night is a priority for a lot of couples — and that will heavily influence their budgets.

Entertainment Won’t Be Elaborate

Having a 10-person band or a DJ with an extraordinary setup that made the venue feel like a Las Vegas nightclub used to be at the top of couples’ wish lists. How much did entertainment cost in the past? A lot. The cost for an average wedding was around $4,500 and the average DJ was nearly $1,000.

This year, couples are spending less on elaborate entertainment, skipping out on large expensive bands, and avoiding extra add-ons to their DJ packages (like lighting, fog machines, and more).

Seating Is Special

Making guests feel safe and comfortable at weddings this year might stretch the budget in a way it never has before. Rather than going with standard tables that seat 8-10 people, couples are going with tables that fit all different party sizes. That way, families can sit all together and people who want to socially distance can sit alone. That might mean having some tables that sit 10 and others that only sit 2 people. This range of tables will make the wedding budget climb when it comes to rentals.

Dresses Get More Use

Rather than hosting one big celebration, some couples are opting for multiple celebrations — which might mean having a small intimate ceremony on one day and the reception on another date. That also means multiple outfits. Rather than spend more on multiple dresses, couples are still spending the usual amount (around $1,600), but instead of spending it all one one dress, they are splitting their dress budgets to pay for multiple outfits.

The Venue Is Pricey

Those looking to keep their wedding casual, small, and intimate are picking venues that will save them a whole lot of money — like backyards, gardens, or even local restaurants. But couples who still want to go with their pre-pandemic guest list and invite a hundred or so guests are looking to spend more on larger than usual venues (often with at least one outdoor area), so their large wedding party can have many different places to socially distance.

There’s always a financial benefit of keeping your wedding small because you’ll spend less overall. However, this year, it could cost much more to have a larger wedding. It might help to look for a venue that can fit a capacity of at least 25% more people than you plan to invite, just so your guests will have space.

Decor Doesn’t Matter as Much

In an effort to save money and still have an incredible celebration, couples are also reducing their decor budgets. Whether it’s flowers, personalized napkins, or centerpieces, 2021 is the year of minimal decorations and accessories. Cutting back on the decor that looks nice, but just fills the space will help couples afford more high priority things (like quality food and spacious venues).

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