Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
SurveysFeb 15, 2019
Another Survey Shows Dip in Engagement Ring Spending
The Knot says couples spent about 2 percent less on their engagement rings in 2018.
The average couple spent $5,680 on an engagement ring in 2018, down from $5,764 in 2017. This diamond halo engagement ring from Stuller is 14-karat white gold with baguette sides. It retails for $1,665, not including center stone.
New York—Weddings with a personal flair were all the rage in 2018, but U.S. couples spent less on a few key elements including the engagement ring, data from The Knot shows.
On Thursday—Valentine’s Day—the popular wedding planning website released the results of the 2018 Real Weddings Study, which surveyed nearly 14,000 couples in the United States who got married last year.
Overall, the average cost of a wedding, excluding the honeymoon, was $33,931, up about 2 percent compared with $33,391 in 2017. (Just to put it in perspective, $32,500 could get you a brand-new 2019 Mercedes-Benz A 220 Sedan.)
The most expensive place to get married was Manhattan with the average Big Apple wedding costing $96,910. The least expensive place was Idaho, where the average wedding runs around $16,366.
The average couple spent $5,680 on an engagement ring, down about 2 percent compared with $5,764 in 2017.
The bride’s wedding band cost an average of $1,078, nearly double the $584 average price tag of the groom’s wedding band.
The Wedding Report, a Tucson-based research company that tracks and forecasts spending and trends in the wedding industry, reported similar findings on engagement ring spending earlier this week, noting about a 1 percent drop.
Outside of jewelry, couples cut costs on the cake, spending $528 on average, about 2 percent less than $540 a year ago. Around 58 percent of couples celebrated with a traditional tiered wedding cake, while others opted for cupcakes or cookies.
The average amount spent on invitations also dropped, declining about 5 percent from $408 to $386.
There were a few areas where couples spent more money, including on the dress and on event planners.
The average bride spent $1,631 on the dress, about an 8 percent jump compared with $1,509 last year.
Couples spent an average of $2,002 on an event planner, a close to 1 percent increase compared with $1,988 in 2017. Around 29 percent of couples hired a professional planner to craft the perfect day.
Another interesting note from The Knot’s 2018 Real Weddings Study: Nearly 59 percent of Generation Z respondents—Gen Z is the group that follows the millennials—said they will likely include a charity on their wedding registry as a way of giving back.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
