It’s HOW much? Here’s the average cost of a Long Island wedding, and what real BOLIs paid for their big days.
Image courtesy of Lighthouse Photography
If you’ve ever been to a wedding in a different state or region, you’ll realize pretty quickly that Long Island weddings are…different. Our cocktail hours are robust, our bars are open, and guest list numbers pack quite a punch.
As you might imagine, all that opulence comes with a hefty price tag. So, what is the average cost of a Long Island wedding? And how does that average compare with the rest of the nation?
The average cost of a Long Island wedding
According to this article from Newsday, the average cost of a Long Island wedding is around $61,000. But keep in mind, the article was written about five years ago. BOLI estimates that the current Long Island average is closer to $67,000.
How does that amount stack up against national averages? The Knot’s annual Real Wedding Study found that in 2022, wedding costs across the country averaged around $30,000 – that’s less than half the Long Island average. In New York state, the average was $46,000 – around 20k less than the Island.
Image courtesy of Stephen Mayo Photography
THAT’S how much a Long Island wedding costs?!
Well, yes and no. Remember that an average is just that – some weddings are more expensive, and some are less. We spoke with a few brides of Long Island about their wedding day costs.
Blowing the average
Another anonymous BOLI’s wedding came in well over the 67k mark. “All in all, my wedding was around $100,000,” she replied. “My venue alone was around $64,000 because we had 300 guests. My dress was expensive, we had a huge bridal party and paid for their dresses and hair & makeup, we basically got the top-tier packages from any of the vendors we chose, our rehearsal dinner was like a mini-wedding itself…yeah, we spent a lot.”
Did she have any regrets on the price tag? “Honestly, not really,” she admitted. “My parents had been saving for my wedding for a long time. So we used that money, and only around $5,000 more. My fiancé’s family contributed some too, but my parents paid for the bulk of it from money they had been saving for this specific event.”
Image courtesy of Foxlight Studios
Staying (way) below the average
“My wedding was perfect and it was $5,500 total,” said another anonymous BOLI. “We had a courthouse ceremony and a small dinner with close family and friends, about 20 people total.”
How did she keep costs so low? “I actually made my dress myself, which was obviously a lot cheaper than buying it but also really special and meaningful. My sister and I DIY-ed literally all of our decorations, including my bouquet. I did my own makeup and hair. My fiancé wore a suit he already had. We all drove our own cars. The most expensive part was the dinner at a restaurant after the ceremony. No frills, but still the best day ever.”
