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Wedding season is just around the corner. And while couples prepare to walk down the aisle every year, countless factors impact their nuptials–from the economy to political changes and everything in between. CivicScience has the most up-to-date information on what saying “I do” will look like this year.
Currently, data show celebrations are down for this year. Fewer Americans are planning to have a wedding in 2025, with just 4% planning to do so, as compared to 7% last year. An additional 5% have already had their wedding this year, a one percentage point decline from this point last year, while they’re equally as likely to defer their plans to next year or later (8%). And among those who will have a wedding, 44% will not have a reception at all. This is the highest percentage of non-reception plans since data collection began in 2022. Those getting married this year are still more likely to have a reception than not, with 41% of respondents planning to have one immediately following the ceremony, and another 15% having their reception at a later date.
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Despite declining wedding plans, the weddings that will happen are likely to be big when it comes to attendance. Thirty-nine percent of those getting married will have a ‘medium to large’ wedding (50+ guests), while 30% are having a ‘small scaled-back’ wedding (less than 50 guests). Meanwhile, an equal percentage (22%) report they plan to have either a destination wedding or a themed wedding this year.
The Cost of Saying “I Do”
When it comes to overall wedding costs, Americans are paying slightly more this year. In 2024, 39% of respondents were spending $10K or less. This year, 36% say the same. Twenty-eight percent plan to spend between $10K and $20K, a notable three percentage point increase from last year (25%). One in ten plan to spend more than $50K, a two-point uptick year-over-year.
Of course, wedding clothes often factor heavily into wedding costs. And this year, department stores (e.g., Nordstrom, Macy’s) emerge as the most likely place to purchase clothes for the big day, with 22% of wedding planning-Americans choosing to spend their money there. That’s an increase of two percentage points since 2024. Online retailers are also gaining ground in 2025, rising three points year-over-year to move into a tie for the second most common destination for wedding attire.
On the other hand, chain retailers (e.g., David’s Bridal, Men’s Warehouse) have slipped from 2024, falling from the most likely option for wedding apparel last year to the third most likely choice in 2025.
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It’s worth noting that those having a wedding this year report the strongest concerns about the impact of recent trade policies and tariffs. With so much to purchase for a wedding and wedding apparel likely to be impacted by tariffs, this demographic may stand to be more impacted than those who have already had a wedding in 2025 and those who won’t be having one altogether.
Use this Data: CivicScience clients use insights like these to understand how economic forces impact consumers, helping them adjust strategies to drive growth and retention.
In 2025, the state of weddings continues to evolve. And while Americans are trending towards fewer celebrations overall, that doesn’t necessarily mean the wedding industry is in trouble. After all, those planning for a wedding are spending more, and in some cases are even choosing to spend locally. That said, those with wedding plans in mind may be particularly vulnerable to swings related to the ever-evolving tariff situation, meaning the industry should be prepared to pivot to stay ahead.
