Somewhere around 2 million couples got married in the U.S. last year. The average price tag on their wedding? $34,200, according to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study, the most comprehensive look at how real couples actually spent their money in 2025. That number covers roughly 117 guests, 13 different vendors, and $292 spent per guest to feed and entertain them for one night.

Here in Spokane, the "average" wedding ran even higher, about $35,000. But that number is misleading, and it's worth pausing on why.