Exclusive: 2025 weddings will cost more than $35,000, Zola reports
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Weddings are getting more expensive and some couples are using AI to write their vows, according to Zola's First Look report for 2025.
Between the lines: The wedding planning site surveyed 6,000 couples getting married next year on a variety of subjects, including cost, fashion, gifts and sustainability, and shared its report exclusively with Axios.
State of play: Here's what we learned about 2025 couples.
Wedding costs are climbing
By the numbers: Zola projects the average cost for a 2025 wedding will be $36,000, based on budgets provided by couples that use the site.
- 2024 weddings averaged $33,000, and couples spent an average of $29,000 in 2023.
What they're saying: Allison Cullman, wedding trend and etiquette expert at Zola, says one contributing factor is social media.
- "People spend hours scrolling through an endless sea of inspiration and oftentimes, they find inspiration that costs much more than they initially anticipated," Cullman tells Axios.
The survey found more than two-thirds (68%) of couples are vetting photographers, make-up artists and venues on Instagram and TikTok.
Stunning stat: With the average wedding costing $65,000, New York City ranks as the most expensive place to get married.
- D.C. weddings are the next most expensive, at $52,000.
Couples are saving time with AI
Zoom in: 90% of couples surveyed say they would be open to using AI to streamline tasks like managing their budget or writing thank-you cards.
- 23% are already using it, up 5% from last year.
Yes, but: Couples are split on whether it's acceptable to write their vows with AI.
- 51% of respondents were OK with the idea.
More Zola survey findings
Christmas is the most popular date of the year to get engaged, followed by December 23, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling In Love" ranks as the top first-dance song.
The planning workload is lopsided for 85% of couples.
- 81% of women reported that the groom spent little to zero time planning.
- 68% of same-sex couples said that most of the planning falls on one partner.
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