Average wedding cost in New Jersey
Updated Oct 16, 2026
A wedding in New Jersey costs about $32,800 to $49,200 (Zola Wedding Cost Index, March 2026). Nationally, couples spent $34,000 on average (The Knot 2026).
$326 a guest
- Venue and rentals$8,671
- Catering and drinks$7,100
- Music and entertainment$2,477
- Flowers and decor$2,477
- Photography$1,858
- Everything else$10,017
Merriwell estimate for New Jersey
| Guests | Estimate | Range |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $24,800 | $19,800 to $29,800 |
| 100 | $32,600 | $26,000 to $39,100 |
| 150 | $40,300 | $32,300 to $48,400 |
The sum: $16,450 plus $150 a guest, times 103.5%, New Jersey'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% | $9,128 |
| Catering and drinks | 23% | $7,498 |
| Cake and desserts | 1% | $326 |
| Photography | 6% | $1,956 |
| Videography | 4% | $1,304 |
| Music and entertainment | 8% | $2,608 |
| Flowers and decor | 8% | $2,608 |
| Dress, tux or suit | 4% | $1,304 |
| Hair and makeup | 1% | $326 |
| Wedding rings | 5% | $1,630 |
| Invitations and paper | 1% | $326 |
| Officiant and marriage license | 1% | $326 |
| Transportation | 2% | $652 |
| Wedding planner | 4% | $1,304 |
| Favors and gifts | 1% | $326 |
| Tips | 3% | $978 |
Merriwell's starting split (a blend of The Knot's 2026 figures), applied to our 100-guest estimate.
Marriage license in New Jersey
- Fee
- Set by each town. Haddonfield charges $28.
- Valid for
- 30 days (Haddonfield)
Check with your county clerk: fees and rules change, and many are set by each county. We checked Borough of Haddonfield Registrar 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 New Jersey?
- Zola's Wedding Cost Index puts a New Jersey wedding at $32,800 to $49,200 (Zola, March 2026). The Merriwell estimate for 100 guests in New Jersey is about $32,600.
- How much does a wedding for 100 guests cost in New Jersey?
- About $32,600 by the Merriwell estimate ($26,000 to $39,100): a fixed part plus $150 a guest, times New Jersey's price level for services, 103.5% of the US average (US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024).
- How much is a marriage license in New Jersey?
- Set by each town. Haddonfield charges $28. Fees can change, so check with your county clerk. We checked Borough of Haddonfield Registrar on Oct 16, 2026.
- Is there a waiting period to get married in New Jersey?
- 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 New Jersey?
- 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): New Jersey (FRED series NJRPPSERVEOTH), 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.