The Average Wedding Cost in Indiana Is Far from Cheap

Planning an extravagant wedding might seem exciting on the surface, but the average price to host a wedding in Indiana might make your wallet hurt.

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There are so many things to consider when planning a wedding. You've got to pick a venue, caterer, floral arrangements, and so forth. Lucky or not, I got married in May 2020, and if you recall, that was quite a different time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my wife and I hosted a "drive-in" wedding at the church we attended. The ceremony took place under the outside awning, and we used microphones synced to a radio transmitter so that people could hear from their cars. It was weird, but it worked.

Since my wife and I held this very unique wedding ceremony, we were not burdened with an abundance of costs. As large gatherings were frowned upon during that time, no large reception was held, so we didn't have to worry about planning a big party. However, I've had friends and family who have hosted "normal" weddings, which did come with a hefty price tag. Hosting a wedding in Indiana is far from cheap, but luckily, it's certainly not the most expensive state in which to get hitched.

The Most Expensive State to Host a Wedding

The wedding planning website known as The Knot has found the average cost of a wedding in each state. Nearly 10,000 couples participated in the study, which revealed that the national average cost in 2023 was $35,000. This was a $5,000 increase from 2022, and I imagine 2024 will likely be even higher. The increase has been attributed to nationwide inflation, with 85% of respondents saying they were affected by the economy.

Where you host a wedding can greatly impact the cost, as destination weddings are much pricier than local weddings. However, big cities also come with big price tags. The states where wedding costs are highest are mostly in the East, with the exception of California, which sports an average wedding cost of $41,000. New York is another pricey state, checking in at $49,000. The most expensive state to host a wedding, however, appears to be New Jersey, where hosting a wedding costs an average of $55,000.

How Much Does a Wedding Cost in Indiana?

Putting together a wedding in Indiana may not be cheap, but it's nowhere near the cost of doing so in the states listed above. In fact, the cost of hosting a wedding in the Hoosier State even falls below the national average. So, if you're still wondering, the average wedding cost in Indiana clocks in at $26,000. Now, my wife and I did not come from money by any means, so this certainly sounds like a lot of cash to me. However, if it's something you've been dreaming about your entire life and you have the means to do it, then go for it. Just remember to save a few bucks for the honeymoon.