WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
SurveysFeb 12, 2019
Engagement Ring Spending Flatlined in 2018, Survey Shows
It’s part of a continuing trend of couples spending less on the big day.
The Wedding Report released its 2018 report this week. It found that the average amount spent on an engagement ring in 2018 was $3,388, while The Knot has it at about $5,800. This ring from Just Jules in 14-karat white gold with a rose-cut diamond retails for $4,100.
Tucson, Ariz.—There was no spike in engagement ring spending in the United States last year, part of an overall trend of couples tightening the belt on their wedding budgets, a new survey shows.
On Sunday, The Wedding Report, a Tucson-based research company that tracks and forecasts spending and trends in the wedding industry, released full-year 2018 data.
The data is based on 6,792 surveys collected between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018 and includes both couples who were already married and those who had spent money on their wedding but hadn’t yet tied the knot when they took the survey.
Overall, The Wedding Report found the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. slipped 4 percent, from $25,764 in 2017 to $24,723 in 2018.
It was the first time since 2009 that the average cost of a wedding has slipped below $25,000 in The Wedding Report’s year-end survey and was on par with what consumers spent in 2008, when the average was $24,100.
Spending across almost aspects of the ceremony and reception declined or was flat, including spending on engagement rings and wedding bands.
According to the survey, the average amount spent on an engagement ring in 2018 was $3,388, down less than 1 percent from $3,402 in 2017.
Spending on the wedding band for her was $775, down only slightly from an average of $782 in 2017. The average amount spent on men’s bands was $454, virtually unchanged from $455.
Spending for other wedding jewelry—bracelets (average of $174), earrings ($151) and necklaces ($199)—also was flat year-over-year.
The engagement ring figure from The Wedding Report is always lower than what The Knot reports in its various surveys; the latest figure from the popular wedding planning website had average engagement ring spending at $5,764.
The Wedding Report founder and CEO Shane McMurray said Monday he believes the difference is that people who use The Knot are, for the most part, planning large weddings with bigger budgets and, therefore, have more money to spend on engagement rings.
His survey, meanwhile, cuts across a broader socioeconomic swath, encompassing everyone from couples getting married at the courthouse and holding a reception in the backyard to those planning a more traditional, higher-cost ceremony.
While the numbers might be different, both The Wedding Report and The Knot’s 2017 Real Weddings Study (the 2018 version is due out later this week) are reflective of the same trend: Consumers are
starting to spend a little bit less on their big day.
McMurray attributes the change to two factors.
First, there is what he calls “lifestyle creep”—all the little things that people want or feel they need today that add up and eat into budgets, like that daily latte from the local coffee shop, the latest smartphone, drinks and dinners out with friends, styling and subscription services like Stitch Fix and Rent the Runway, and fees for the premium versions of streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, etc.
All of these little things “just keep adding up,” McMurray said.
Second, there’s rising rents, and not just in big cities like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago; McMurray noted that rents in his town, Tucson, are increasing too.
Both these factors have consumers cutting back on “traditional wedding expenditures,” like limos, live bands, videographers and wedding albums.
There were a few areas, however, where demand picked up in 2018: event spaces, food and decorations. This points to couples “looking for an experience, not a traditional wedding.”
“The reality is people’s priorities are changing,” McMurray said. “They’re different.”
To see The Wedding Report’s tables on spending in 2018 vs. 2017 visit TheWeddingReport.com.
McMurray attributes the change to two factors.
First, there is what he calls “lifestyle creep”—all the little things that people want or feel they need today that add up and eat into budgets, like that daily latte from the local coffee shop, the latest smartphone, drinks and dinners out with friends, styling and subscription services like Stitch Fix and Rent the Runway, and fees for the premium versions of streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Spotify, etc.
All of these little things “just keep adding up,” McMurray said.
Second, there’s rising rents, and not just in big cities like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago; McMurray noted that rents in his town, Tucson, are increasing too.
Both these factors have consumers cutting back on “traditional wedding expenditures,” like limos, live bands, videographers and wedding albums.
There were a few areas, however, where demand picked up in 2018: event spaces, food and decorations. This points to couples “looking for an experience, not a traditional wedding.”
“The reality is people’s priorities are changing,” McMurray said. “They’re different.”
To see The Wedding Report’s tables on spending in 2018 vs. 2017 visit TheWeddingReport.com.
More on Surveys
The Latest
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
