Average wedding cost in Minnesota
Updated Oct 16, 2026
A wedding in Minnesota costs about $24,100 to $36,100 (Zola Wedding Cost Index, March 2026). Nationally, couples spent $34,000 on average (The Knot 2026).
$315 a guest
- Venue and rentals$8,379
- Catering and drinks$6,800
- Music and entertainment$2,394
- Flowers and decor$2,394
- Photography$1,795
- Everything else$9,738
Merriwell estimate for Minnesota
| Guests | Estimate | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24,000 | $19,200 to $28,800 |
| 100 | $31,500 | $25,200 to $37,800 |
| 150 | $39,000 | $31,200 to $46,800 |
The sum: $16,450 plus $150 a guest, times 100.2%, Minnesota'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% | $8,820 |
| Catering and drinks | 23% | $7,245 |
| Cake and desserts | 1% | $315 |
| Photography | 6% | $1,890 |
| Videography | 4% | $1,260 |
| Music and entertainment | 8% | $2,520 |
| Flowers and decor | 8% | $2,520 |
| Dress, tux or suit | 4% | $1,260 |
| Hair and makeup | 1% | $315 |
| Wedding rings | 5% | $1,575 |
| Invitations and paper | 1% | $315 |
| Officiant and marriage license | 1% | $315 |
| Transportation | 2% | $630 |
| Wedding planner | 4% | $1,260 |
| Favors and gifts | 1% | $315 |
| Tips | 3% | $945 |
Merriwell's starting split (a blend of The Knot's 2026 figures), applied to our 100-guest estimate.
Marriage license in Minnesota
- Fee
- $125
- Discount
- $50 if you have had at least 12 hours of premarital education
- Valid for
- 6 months
Check with your county clerk: fees and rules change, and many are set by each county. We checked Minnesota Statutes, section 517.08 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 Minnesota?
- Zola's Wedding Cost Index puts a Minnesota wedding at $24,100 to $36,100 (Zola, March 2026). The Merriwell estimate for 100 guests in Minnesota is about $31,500.
- How much does a wedding for 100 guests cost in Minnesota?
- About $31,500 by the Merriwell estimate ($25,200 to $37,800): a fixed part plus $150 a guest, times Minnesota's price level for services, 100.2% of the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024).
- How much is a marriage license in Minnesota?
- $125 $50 if you have had at least 12 hours of premarital education Fees can change, so check with your county clerk. We checked Minnesota Statutes, section 517.08 on Oct 16, 2026.
- Is there a waiting period to get married in Minnesota?
- Ask your county clerk: rules on waiting periods and how long a license lasts are set by state law and applied locally.
- How can we spend less on a wedding in Minnesota?
- 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): Minnesota (FRED series MNRPPSERVEOTH), 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.