When it comes to planning a wedding, the venue sets the stage for the entire event. Whether you’re dreaming of a grand ballroom or imagining a cozy winery, the right venue can make your special day. But with so many options, how do you decide? And perhaps more importantly, whatโs it going to cost you?
We understand that every penny counts when you’re planning a wedding. That’s why we’ve gathered data on estimated starting costs for wedding venues in various cities across the U.S. Our insights cover six popular venue types:
- Ballrooms
- Banquet halls and restaurants
- Hotels and bed & breakfasts
- Museums and galleries
- Barns and rustic venues
- Wineries and breweries
Wondering which city offers the most luxurious ballrooms? Or maybe you’re curious about where you can find the most budget-friendly rustic barn venues? Weโve got you covered.
Whether you’re a couple meticulously planning your dream wedding or simply curious about the landscape of love and matrimony, this guide is for you. Read on to discover insights into the costs of saying “I do” in different settings across America.
U.S. Cities With the Most and Least Expensive Wedding Venues
Certain cities have reputations for sky-high venue costs, and our data confirms these pricey locales. If you’re all about the glitz and glamour and willing to splurge on your special day, these cities might just be for you.
Leading the pack is San Francisco, California, with an average starting cost of $16,317 for a wedding venue. If you have your heart set on a winery or brewery setting in the City by the Bay, brace yourself for even steeper costs. Our data shows that this specific venue type in the city has a starting price of $21,026, which is a whopping 176% higher than the average winery or brewery cost. Renowned for its vibrant arts scene and stunning bay views, San Francisco provides upscale winery and brewery venues that offer a perfect blend of elegance and natural beauty.
Coming in second, the city that never sleeps, New York, New York, has an average starting venue cost of $15,158. If ballrooms are your venue of choice, you’re looking at a starting cost of around $21,677 โ a 162% increase from the venueโs average. New York offers a range of venue styles, from rooftop gardens to historic mansions, but for those looking to make a grand statement, the ballrooms come with a premium.
Rounding out the top three is Boston, Massachusetts, with an average cost of $12,452. The most expensive venues in this city are museums and galleries, with a starting cost that can go as high as $23,409 โ a 216% jump from the venue average. Full of history, Boston offers a unique backdrop for those wanting to say their vows surrounded by art masterpieces or historical artifacts.
While some cities might have you digging deep into your pockets, there are gems out there where you can have a beautiful wedding without busting your budget.
The most affordable city is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with an average venue starting cost of just $4,245. If you’re leaning toward a rustic or barn venue, be prepared for a slightly higher price tag. In Oklahoma City, this venue type comes in at $5,773, which may be expensive for the city, but is 16% lower than a barn’s average cost.
Next up is Memphis, Tennessee, a city of musical history and Southern culture, with an average venue cost of $4,411. If a hotel or bed & breakfast setting has caught your eye, these venues are the most expensive in Memphis, priced at $5,353, but still 36% cheaper than the venue average.
Rounding out our top three most budget-friendly cities is Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an average venue starting cost of $4,467. If you’re contemplating a rustic or barn setting for your special day, know that these are the priciest in Milwaukee, with a starting cost of $5,330, still 23% less than the venue’s average.
Average Wedding Venue Costs by Style and City
Next, we wanted to zoom in on the specific styles of wedding venues and isolate costs by venue categories.
Let’s start with hotel venues, which topped the list as the most expensive in 12 cities. With an average cost of $8,414 across all cities, these venues bring a touch of luxury and convenience. Cities where this style breaks the bank include Los Angeles, California; Washington, DC; and Chicago, Illinois. In Los Angeles, expect to pay around $13,897.
Close on its heels are rustic venues, which are the priciest in 11 cities. The average cost across all cities is $6,892. In Miami, Florida, this style skyrockets to $16,588, a staggering 141% higher than the average venue cost.
Ballrooms are the most expensive venues in 10 cities, with an average cost of $8,259. New York takes the cake here with a whopping $21,677, followed by Las Vegas, Nevada, and Cleveland, Ohio.
For those dreaming of a wedding in a winery or brewery, be prepared to shell out a bit more in eight cities. The average cost stands at $7,626, but in San Francisco, the price nearly triples. Similar spikes occur in Raleigh, North Carolina, and San Diego, California.
Museum and gallery venues lead costs in six cities. These venues average $7,404 across all cities. The Northeast takes the top spots in this category with starting costs as high as $23,409 in cities like Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo, New York; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Finally, banquet halls and restaurants are the most expensive in just three cities, with an average cost of $6,901. New Orleans, Louisiana, leads this category with a cost of $13,313, with cities like Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Providence, Rhode Island, close behind.
Full Data
Interested in how your hometown stacks up with the rest? Interact with the chart or sort through the table below to find out how much average starting wedding venue costs fluctuate from city to city.
Closing Thoughts
Planning a wedding involves a lot of choices, and as our data shows, the venue style can be a significant factor in your budget. Whether you’re dreaming of a lavish ballroom or a cozy rustic barn, understanding the cost landscape across different cities can empower you to make an informed decision. It’s not just about the vows; it’s about celebrating your love in a setting that feels uniquely you.
Just as the venue sets the stage for your big day, the ring you choose encapsulates your love story. At Shane Co., we offer a diverse range of high-quality engagement rings to suit any budget and style. You can even design your own ring to ensure it’s as unique as your love. Ready to take the next step in your love journey? Explore our collection and find the perfect ring that speaks to you.
Methodology
To determine the most expensive wedding venue styles in major U.S. cities, we pulled data on individual wedding venues from Wedding-Spot. We searched 50 of the largest cities in the U.S. and applied different venue style filters to find the average starting costs of different venue types.
All of the data is based on wedding venues that fall into six popular venue types: ballroom, banquet hall, hotel/B&B, museum/gallery, rustic/barn, and winery/brewery. We were able to find the most expensive venue style by city and the most expensive cities across the six styles.
