Average wedding cost in Massachusetts
Updated Oct 16, 2026
A wedding in Massachusetts costs about $34,100 to $51,100 (Zola Wedding Cost Index, March 2026). Nationally, couples spent $34,000 on average (The Knot 2026).
$323 a guest
- Venue and rentals$8,591
- Catering and drinks$7,000
- Music and entertainment$2,454
- Flowers and decor$2,454
- Photography$1,841
- Everything else$9,960
Merriwell estimate for Massachusetts
| Guests | Estimate | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24,600 | $19,700 to $29,600 |
| 100 | $32,300 | $25,900 to $38,800 |
| 150 | $40,100 | $32,000 to $48,100 |
The sum: $16,450 plus $150 a guest, times 102.9%, Massachusetts's price level for services against the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024). 20% either side for the range.
A typical split
| Venue and rentals | 28% | $9,044 |
| Catering and drinks | 23% | $7,429 |
| Cake and desserts | 1% | $323 |
| Photography | 6% | $1,938 |
| Videography | 4% | $1,292 |
| Music and entertainment | 8% | $2,584 |
| Flowers and decor | 8% | $2,584 |
| Dress, tux or suit | 4% | $1,292 |
| Hair and makeup | 1% | $323 |
| Wedding rings | 5% | $1,615 |
| Invitations and paper | 1% | $323 |
| Officiant and marriage license | 1% | $323 |
| Transportation | 2% | $646 |
| Wedding planner | 4% | $1,292 |
| Favors and gifts | 1% | $323 |
| Tips | 3% | $969 |
Merriwell's starting split (a blend of The Knot's 2026 figures), applied to our 100-guest estimate.
Marriage license in Massachusetts
- Fee
- Set by each city or town. Boston charges $50.
- Waiting period
- 3 days (a court can waive it)
- Valid for
- 60 days from filing
Check with your county clerk: fees and rules change, and many are set by each county. We checked City of Boston on Oct 16, 2026.
The busiest and the cheapest times
Saturday evenings cost the most. A winter weekend or a weekday can save 20-30% on most vendor costs (Zola, March 2026). Ask your venue for its off-peak prices.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a wedding cost in Massachusetts?
- Zola's Wedding Cost Index puts a Massachusetts wedding at $34,100 to $51,100 (Zola, March 2026). The Merriwell estimate for 100 guests in Massachusetts is about $32,300.
- How much does a wedding for 100 guests cost in Massachusetts?
- About $32,300 by the Merriwell estimate ($25,900 to $38,800): a fixed part plus $150 a guest, times Massachusetts's price level for services, 102.9% of the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024).
- How much is a marriage license in Massachusetts?
- Set by each city or town. Boston charges $50. Fees can change, so check with your county clerk. We checked City of Boston on Oct 16, 2026.
- Is there a waiting period to get married in Massachusetts?
- 3 days (a court can waive it). The license is valid for 60 days from filing. Check with your county clerk before you plan around it.
- How can we spend less on a wedding in Massachusetts?
- Fewer guests makes the biggest difference. Zola says a winter weekend or a weekday can save 20-30% on most vendor costs, and that Saturday evenings cost the most (March 2026).
Average wedding cost in every state
Sources
- Zola Wedding Cost Index, Zola, Mar 6, 2026. Zola's own planning data and a survey of 720 couples. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (Services: other): Massachusetts (FRED series MARPPSERVEOTH), US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Feb 19, 2026. Prices in each state against the US average (100), 2024. Checked Oct 16, 2026.
- The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study, The Knot Worldwide, Feb 18, 2026. More than 10,000 US couples married in 2025. Checked Oct 16, 2026.