SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
SurveysFeb 21, 2018
US Consumers Spent Less on Their Weddings Last Year
They also spent a little bit less on their engagement rings, the latest study from The Knot shows.
U.S. couples spent less on their weddings and their engagement rings last year but they continue to place importance on bucking tradition. This 18-karat white gold ring from Valani is set with a 2.06-carat Sri Lankan sapphire surrounded by 0.28 carats of diamonds ($5,700).
New York--Consumers’ priorities when it comes to weddings sound a lot like their preferences when it comes to retail. They want to have a great experience, and they want something uniquely their own.
Last week, on Valentine’s Day, wedding planning website The Knot released the results of the 2017 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 13,000 couples in the United States who tied the knot last year.
Overall, the study found that the average cost of U.S. weddings dipped in 2017, the first time that has happened in the 11 years The Knot has been doing the survey.
The average cost of a wedding was $33,391, down 5 percent from the high of $35,326 reached in 2016.
Slipping alongside the overall wedding cost was the amount spent on the engagement ring.
In 2017, the average was $5,764, a difference of about $400, or 6 percent, from the 2016 average of $6,163.
(The figures The Knot provides in its annual Real Weddings study are gleaned from a different set of respondents than its biennial Jewelry & Engagement Study; see full explanation below.)
In evaluating the results of the study, The Knot said that while couples are spending less and inviting fewer guests overall, the amount spent per guest reached a high of $268 last year, up from $194 eight years ago.
Couples are trying to make it a better experience for each guest, spending more money on reception amenities like sparklers, selfie stations, candy bars, musicians and lawn games.
The Knot also noted that there were fewer black-tie weddings, which tend to be pricier, and more weddings in non-traditional venues that speak to the couple’s personalities, like barns, libraries and even a boxing gym.
The most expensive place to have a wedding in 2017 was—no surprise at all—Manhattan, with the average cost of a wedding nearing $77,000. Weddings in nearby north/central New Jersey ($62,074) and Long Island ($61,113) were the second and third most expensive in the country.
The city/state with the lowest average wedding
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
cost in 2017 was Utah at $18,516.
The Real Weddings Study is one of the studies The Knot conducts on a regular basis. It comes out every year and acts as a barometer for overall wedding spending in the U.S.
Every other year, The Knot publishes its Jewelry & Engagement Study, which focuses on trends surrounding the proposal, including how much couples are spending on engagement rings.
The latest Jewelry & Engagement Study came out last year. It surveyed 14,000 couples, a mix of engaged and newly married pairs, and showed that the average amount spent on an engagement ring is now $6,351.
RELATED CONTENT: 5 Engagement Ring Trends for 2018The study also showed that today, the bride and groom split the cost almost equally with the bride’s parents. The parents footed the bill for, on average, 44.5 percent of the wedding while the couple contributed 41.1 percent. Other contributors included the groom’s parents (12.7 percent) and other (1.79 percent).
The Real Weddings Study is one of the studies The Knot conducts on a regular basis. It comes out every year and acts as a barometer for overall wedding spending in the U.S.
Every other year, The Knot publishes its Jewelry & Engagement Study, which focuses on trends surrounding the proposal, including how much couples are spending on engagement rings.
The latest Jewelry & Engagement Study came out last year. It surveyed 14,000 couples, a mix of engaged and newly married pairs, and showed that the average amount spent on an engagement ring is now $6,351.
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
