Summer’s here, and that means plenty of weddings: all the better for Big Day, blue sky photos. It also means big cost, whether you’re in Utah, the state with the most modest wedding day outlay ($17,000), or New Jersey, where tying the knot can run to an eye-watering $55,000.
But does the amount spent on a wedding in any way correlate to the subsequent success of a marriage?
Our study will consider the data behind the question. We’ll look at the cost of a wedding across America (and abroad), and compare the amount spent on average in each U.S. state to see how that figure compares to the state-average marriage length. And we’ll look at some of the factors that long-lasting marriages share in common, beyond an initial outlay that will likely be a significant sum.
The Average Cost of a Wedding in the USA (and Elsewhere)
In fact, the average price for a wedding in America is pretty significant: $35,000. But how does that number relate to marital years?
Previous studies have shown that wedding costs north of $20,000 correlate to a higher chance of divorce, with comparatively modest ceremonies (under $1,000) linked to greater marital longevity.
The two main cited reasons for these interlinked phenomena: financial instability and impulsive personality traits.
Before we take a close look at U.S. state wedding costs and how they relate to marriage longevity, let’s first consider how the rest of the world compares when it comes to wedding outlay.
Global Wedding Costs
Wedding costs abroad vary just as much as they do across the U.S., often reflecting cultural expectations as well as income levels.
In Australia, a wedding for 50–80 guests can range from $36,000 to $51,000, which puts them on par with (or above) many U.S. ceremonies. The United Kingdom average wedding is around $24,800, with Italy similarly priced at approximately $23,000.
Other global average wedding cost examples include Canada ($21,900), Spain ($23,350), and Germany, which has a comparatively modest wedding spend, with couples splashing out an average of $15,500.
India is in a league of its own when it comes to wildly varying wedding budgets: an Indian wedding can range from $6,700 to over $674,000, depending on the level of luxury, the region in question, and traditional factors.
The average middle-class Indian wedding typically costs around ₹10–15 lakh ($12,000–$18,000); a big-city wedding extravaganza or a multi-day occasion may run up comparatively stratospheric costs.
U.S. State Costs vs. Marriage Longevity
The average length of a U.S. marriage is about 20 years, with the average price of a U.S. wedding at $35,000. Let’s find out if there’s a correlation between the two elements, state by state.
Cost vs. Longevity Study Results
The results of the study were surprising. When we compared the average wedding cost and average marriage length across all 50 U.S. states, the results didn’t support the idea that spending more leads to stronger marriages. In fact, the data showed no consistent relationship at all between the two variables.
States like New Jersey ($55,000) and California ($41,000) spend well above the national average on weddings, yet both report an average marriage duration of around 20 years.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, where couples spend quite a bit less ($29,000), the average marriage length is among the highest in the country (22.7 years).
Interestingly, some of the shortest average marriage lengths were found in states with below-average and low wedding costs, such as Texas ($32,000 – 17.6 years) and Utah ($17,000 – 18 years), betraying the notion that cost might equate to length.
Simply put, this lack of a clear pattern suggests that the price of a wedding has no bearing on how long a marriage will last.
That said, among states where the average wedding cost is $35,000 or more, 78% (14 out of 18 states) report marriages that last 20 years or longer.
While this doesn’t prove that higher spending guarantees a longer-lasting relationship, it does suggest that, in some higher-cost regions, longer marriages are still common.
This may well have much more to do with cultural values or regional norms around marriage and commitment than the price tag alone.
Ultimately, it reinforces what relationship experts have long believed: it’s not about how much you spend on a wedding, it’s about how well you invest in each other beyond the big day.
Global Marriage Duration
While U.S. marriages tend to last an average of 20 years, global marriage length varies significantly.
Italy reports one of the world’s longest average marriage durations (18 years), with Canada also ranking high for marital longevity (14 years). Australia trails just behind, with an average marriage span of 12.3 years.
Yet, even in countries where wedding costs are high, such as France or the UK, marriages tend only to last around 11–13 years, depending on the specific region and demographic factors.
Interestingly, some countries with lower wedding costs or looser cultural expectations around marriage also report shorter average marriages.
In Qatar, for example, marriages tend to last less than 5 years, and in some parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia, evolving attitudes towards female independence has meant that early divorces are more common.
This global variation shows that marriage length is less about wedding spend than it is about the cultural, legal, and interpersonal factors that support long-term partnerships.
Countries with strong social safety nets, universal healthcare, and more robust family leave policies often see longer-lasting marriages. This is not necessarily because couples are more happily married, but because there are less external pressures.
In contrast, the U.S.’s relatively high levels of student debt, housing insecurity, and minimal family support policies are among the stressors that make relationships more vulnerable.
Wedding Debt And Stress
Continuing the theme of relationship stressors and the matter of debt, over two-thirds of newlyweds go into debt to pay for their weddings.
More worrying still is that nearly a quarter are still paying off that debt months or even years later.
Study data tells us that, among those who borrowed to fund their big day, many admitted they felt pressured to overspend, either to impress guests or meet cultural expectations.
About a third went over budget, with common primary costs including the venue, the food, and the entertainment. The financial consequences of getting married linger well beyond the honeymoon.
And while a honeymoon is one of the most valued elements of wedding costs, it’s also one of the first things couples regret compromising on to save money. Many couples reported that they wished they'd spent more on their honeymoon and less on the event itself.
It’s also striking how much money stress seems to affect the foundation of new marriages, with over half of couples saying they’ve argued about finances tied to the wedding.
One in five married couples even admits that money issues have made them question their relationship.
The Things That Help a Marriage Last a Long Time
Since our findings don’t confirm that more expensive weddings lead to longer unions, what are the factors that contribute towards a long marriage?
Study data does provide the answer to this question, which can be found in some interesting non-financial areas.
Taking a honeymoon, regardless of cost, is linked to greater marital satisfaction. In an Emory University study of over 3,000 married individuals, couples who went on a honeymoon were 41% less likely to divorce than those who didn’t.
So, it’s not about the destination or cost: it’s about setting aside extra time to connect.
Having a large guest list can help to build a sense of community support, which can in turn reinforce commitment. The same Emory study found that couples with a high number of wedding guests also experienced lower rates of divorce.
Open conversations about financial goals early in the relationship can pre-empt potentially damaging misunderstandings later on.
Financial stress is one of the top causes of relationship breakdown: couples who regularly talk about money and set shared goals report higher relationship satisfaction and trust.
Shared values, emotional intimacy, and conflict resolution skills are consistently ranked as good foundations to long-lasting partnerships.
A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that couples who reported ‘emotional closeness’ and aligned long-term goals were much more likely to stay married for over 10 years.
Spending Time, Not Money, Is Key
National and global data tells us that bigger wedding budgets don’t necessarily buy longer marriages. Across the U.S., states with the highest wedding costs, such as New Jersey ($55,000) and California ($41,000), show no significant marital longevity gain compared to states subject to a more modest spend, like Wisconsin ($29,000) or Utah ($17,000).
A close look at key data fails to establish a consistent link between what couples spend and how long they stay together.
This trend is also true internationally. Countries with high wedding expenditures (Australia and France) report marriages lasting an average of 12 to 13 years, while Italian marriages run much longer, despite a lower average spend than the U.S.
And places like Qatar, with very short average marriage spans (under 5 years), show that cultural norms, not cash, shape commitment.
❝The study reinforces what relationship experts have long believed: it’s not about how much you spend, it’s about how well you invest in each other after the big day.❞
Research also shows that relationship longevity is more closely tied to non-financial factors like shared values, intimacy, open communication, and taking time to connect (through a honeymoon, for example) than it is to snagging a renowned wedding caterer or splashing out on a coveted venue.
And with over two-thirds of newlyweds immediately stuck in ‘wedding debt’, many couples begin marriage under self-imposed financial strain, which can fuel early conflict. Ultimately, it’s not about spending money; it’s about spending time together once the wedding celebration ends.
At
Mark Broumand, we know how important your Big Day is. We also know that getting the right ring is one of the key elements when it comes to making sure your wedding is perfect. Visit our store today to benefit from brilliant design and unparalleled craftsmanship.