If wedding costs are an indicator of consumer confidence, Americans must be feeling pretty good about their finances right now. 
 
 The average cost of a wedding last year exceeded $31,213, up 4.5% from $29,858 the previous year and an increase of 16% from a recent low of $26,984 in 2010, according to a survey of 15,800 brides by wedding website The Knot. The most expensive place to get married last year was Manhattan (an average cost of $76,328) — five times the cost of getting married in Utah, the least expensive place (where the average wedding cost just $15,257). Long Island, N.Y. ($55,327), North-Central New Jersey ($53,986), Westchester County and Hudson Valley, N.Y. ($52,954) and Chicago ($50,934) also topped the list of the most expensive places to get hitched. 
 
 Of the $31,213, the highest since The Knot began tracking wedding costs in 2007, Americans will spend $14,006 on a venue, $3,587 on a reception band, $5,855 on an engagement ring, $2,556 on a photographer and $2,141 on a florist or decor. 
 
 Wedding costs soar to new highs (3:40) As Americans feel better about the economy, the optimism is reflected in higher spending on weddings. Quentin Fottrell joins Lunch Break. 
 
 The rest goes to such things as a wedding dress ($1,357), rehearsal dinner ($1,206) and invitations ($439) and even party favors ($275). “This shows that people are feeling better about the economy,” says Sreekar Jasthi, analyst with personal finance site NerdWallet.com. “But our research shows that the least-expensive counties spend a greater portion of their income. That’s concerning.” 
 
 Read: How much should I spend on a wedding gift? 
 
 Before spending so much money on one day, there are a few considerations couples might want to take into account. First, the cost of getting married in the U.S. also happens to be exactly the same — give or take $92 — as a 15% down payment on a median-priced home worth $208,700 in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to data from HSH.com, the Riverdale, N.J.-based mortgage-information firm. And, second, nearly one-fifth (17%) of couples who get married will decide to marry again (15% twice and 4% three or more times), according to a report, “Remarriage in the United States,” released this week by the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. 
 
 And nearly one-quarter are destination weddings, The Knot found, which also pushes up the cost of attending — including travel and accommodation — for guests. In fact, guests spend around $592 per wedding, according to a 2014 survey by American Express. And as the cost of attending weddings increases, so does the volume of RSVPs marked “Declines with regret.” Some 43% of Americans say they’ve declined to attend a wedding for financial reasons, while 36% of people say they’ve gone into debt to attend a friend’s wedding, according to a separate 2013 poll by American Consumer Credit Counseling, a non-profit financial advisory in Auburndale, Mass. 
 
 Read: The larger the rock, the rockier the marriage ||||| The cost per wedding is at a five-year high 
 
 Here's one sign of the U.S. economic recovery that few Americans will rejoice over: The average cost of a wedding just hit a five-year high. ||||| "While wedding budgets continue to rise, with the national average at $31,213, guest lists are shrinking. The average wedding now has 136 guests, down from 149 in 2009," said Rebecca Dolgin, Editor in Chief of The Knot. "Couples are focusing on creating an amazing guest experience and reception details, including finding unique venues to reflect their personality. Perhaps the biggest change we've seen is in the amount of brides using their mobile phone to plan their wedding—it has doubled in just three years." 
 
 Top 2014 Wedding Statistics 
 
 Average Wedding Cost: $31,213 (excludes honeymoon) 
 
 (excludes honeymoon) Most Expensive Place to Get Married: Manhattan , $76,328 average spend 
 
 , average spend Least Expensive Place to Get Married: Utah , $15,257 average spend 
 
 , average spend Average Spent on a Wedding Dress: $1,357 
 
 Average Marrying Age: Bride, 29; Groom, 31 
 
 Average Number of Guests: 136 
 
 Average Number of Bridesmaids: 4 to 5 
 
 Average Number of Groomsmen: 4 to 5 
 
 Most Popular Month to Get Engaged: December (16%) 
 
 Average Length of Engagement: 14 months 
 
 Most Popular Month to Get Married: June (15%) followed by October (14%) 
 
 Popular Wedding Colors: Ivory/White (44%), Blue (37%), Pink (28%), Metallics (26%), Purple (23%) 
 
 Dark blue specifically has continued to grow every year, from 10% in 2008 to 24% in 2014 
 
 Percentage of Destination Weddings: 24% 
 
 Top 2014 Wedding Trends 
 
 USING SMARTPHONES FOR PLANNING: Couples are researching everything from gowns to vendors on mobile applications. In 2014, the use of smartphones to access wedding planning websites has nearly doubled from 2011 (33%) to 2014 (61%). In fact, 71% of couples accessed TheKnot.com from their smartphones. About 6 out of 10 brides are actively planning their weddings through their mobile device: researching gowns on smartphones (61%), up from 27% in 2011; researching wedding vendors on mobile (57%), up from 22% in 2011. 
 
 PERSONALIZATION IS ON THE RISE, INCLUDING CHANGES IN VENUES: Couples are showing their unique style by choosing unexpected places to wed. Since 2009, historic buildings/homes and farm venues have grown in popularity. Historic buildings/homes make up 14% in 2014, compared with only 12% in 2009, and farms make up 6% in 2014, up from 3% in 2009. While banquet halls (22%), country clubs (11%) and hotels (11%) are still popular options for couples, about 40% are looking for unusual venues that better reflect their personality. 
 
 COUPLES ARE SPENDING MORE ON THEIR RECEPTION ELEMENTS, AND LESS ON THEIR CEREMONY. 
 
 Spending is on the rise across reception categories, and couples are spending more on their catering, musicians and cake in 2014. Spending for cocktail hours also rose to 76% from 69% in 2010. Couples are spending less on the ceremony. In 2014, 33% of couples hired pianists and organists for their ceremony, down from 49% in 2009, and 28% of couples held their ceremony in a religious institution, down from 41% in 2009. 
 
 WITH ALMOST HALF OF COUPLES GOING OVER BUDGET, WHO PAYS FOR THE WEDDING? 
 
 On average, the bride's parents contribute 43%, the bride and groom contribute 43%, and the groom's parents contribute 12% of the total wedding budget (others account for the remaining 2%). Only 12% of couples pay for the wedding entirely themselves. 
 
 In 2014, 45% of couples went over budget, about 1 in 4 (26%) of couples stayed within their budget, and only 6% of couples came out under budget. 23% didn't even have a wedding budget, up from 17% in 2009. 
 
 BUSY LIVES MEANS SAVING THE DATE: More couples are using save-the-dates. The percentage of couples who used save-the-dates was 75% in 2014, compared with 72% in 2013 and 57% in 2009. In 2014, 50% of couples had their save-the-dates professionally made, up from 29% in 2009. 
 
 Top 25 Most Expensive Places to Get Married 
 
 Based on average cost of a wedding in 2014, couples spend the most on their weddings in the following areas in the US. Five of the six most expensive areas to get married are in the New York/Tri-State area. 
 
 New York - Manhattan $76,328 New York - Long Island $55,327 New Jersey - North/Central $53,986 New York - Westchester / Hudson Valley $52,954 Illinois - Chicago $50,934 New York - Outer Boroughs $49,781 Pennsylvania - Philadelphia $44,090 Rhode Island $41,914 California - San Francisco / Greater Bay Area $39,690 New Jersey - South $39,191 California - Santa Barbara / Ventura $39,187 Washington DC / Northern Virginia /Suburban Maryland $39,025 Connecticut $38,925 Massachusetts - Boston $38,665 Florida - Southern $38,155 California - Los Angeles $37,317 Louisiana $35,532 Hawaii $34,958 Maryland - Baltimore $34,409 Texas - Houston $33,809 Illinois - Chicago Suburbs $33,391 California - Orange County /Inland Empire $33,118 California - San Diego $32,941 Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh $32,359 Texas - Austin / San Antonio $31,886 
 
 2014 Average Wedding Budget Breakdown 
 
 Figures based on respondents who hired a professional vendor for the service. 
 
 Category 2014 National 
 
 Average Spend 2013 National 
 
 Average Spend Overall Wedding (excluding honeymoon) $31,213 $29,858 ↑ Venue (reception hall) $14,006 $13,385 ↑ Photographer $2,556 $2,440 ↑ Wedding/Event Planner $1,973 $1,874 ↑ Reception Band $3,587 $3,469 ↑ Reception DJ $1,124 $1,038 ↑ Florist/Decor $2,141 $2,069 ↑ Videographer $1,794 $1,700 ↑ Wedding Dress $1,357 $1,281 ↑ Groom's Attire and Accessories $254 $248 ↑ Wedding Cake $555 $546 ↑ Ceremony Site $1,901 $1,793 ↑ Ceremony Musicians $637 $588 ↑ Invitations $439 $443 ↓ Transportation/Limousine $767 $732 ↑ Favors $275 $281 ↓ Rehearsal Dinner $1,206 $1,184 ↑ Engagement Ring $5,855 $5,598 ↑ Catering (price per person) $68 $66 ↑ Officiant $266 $260 ↑ 
 
 Notable Regional Differences 
 
 The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Survey can be broken down on a region-by-region basis across more than 80 markets. Regional highlights include: 
 
 Cost of Weddings: New York City (Manhattan) and Long Island have the highest average wedding spend ( $76,328 and $55,327 , respectively), and Arkansas and Utah had the lowest average wedding spend ( $18,031 and $15,257 , respectively), excluding honeymoon. 
 
 (Manhattan) and Long Island have the highest average wedding spend ( and , respectively), and and had the lowest average wedding spend ( and , respectively), excluding honeymoon. Marriage Age: Nevada and New York City (Manhattan) have the oldest brides (32.7 and 32 years, respectively), whereas West Virginia and Kentucky have the youngest brides (26.8 and 26.9 years, respectively), on average. 
 
 and (Manhattan) have the oldest brides (32.7 and 32 years, respectively), whereas and have the youngest brides (26.8 and 26.9 years, respectively), on average. Engagement Length: North/ Central New Jersey and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , brides have the longest engagements (18 and 17.5 months, respectively), while brides in Utah and West Texas have the shortest (10 and 9.9 months, respectively), on average. 
 
 North/ and , brides have the longest engagements (18 and 17.5 months, respectively), while brides in and have the shortest (10 and 9.9 months, respectively), on average. Wedding Size: As in 2013, Nebraska and Iowa brides have the largest number of wedding guests (208 and 189, respectively), and Hawaii and Nevada brides still have the smallest number of wedding guests (82 and 66, respectively). 
 
 As in 2013, and brides have the largest number of wedding guests (208 and 189, respectively), and Hawaii and Nevada brides still have the smallest number of wedding guests (82 and 66, respectively). Wedding Style: Savannah, Georgia , and Hawaii still have the most casual weddings (40% and 39%, respectively), while North/ Central New Jersey and Long Island had the most formal (black tie) weddings (36% and 35%, respectively). 
 
 , and still have the most casual weddings (40% and 39%, respectively), while North/ and had the most formal (black tie) weddings (36% and 35%, respectively). Wedding Dress Spend: Brides in Manhattan and Long Island spend the most on their dresses ( $2,914 and $2,137 , respectively), while Idaho and Alaska brides spend the least ( $982 and $925 , respectively). 
 
 Brides in and spend the most on their dresses ( and , respectively), while and brides spend the least ( and , respectively). Honeymoon: Couples from Alabama (87%), North/ Central New Jersey (85%), Utah (85%) and Tennessee (85%) are most likely to book a honeymoon, while couples in North Dakota and Alaska are least likely to book a honeymoon (44% each). 
 
 Couples from (87%), North/ (85%), (85%) and (85%) are most likely to book a honeymoon, while couples in and are least likely to book a honeymoon (44% each). Gift Registry: Brides in Kentucky and Ohio are most likely to register for wedding gifts (96% and 95%, respectively), while brides in Hawaii and Nevada are least likely to register (69% and 68%, respectively). 
 
 About The Knot 2014 Real Weddings Survey 
 
 The 2014 Real Weddings Survey captured responses from nearly 16,000 US brides married between January 1 and December 31, 2014. Respondents were recruited throughout the year from TheKnot.com membership, which represents nearly 80% of brides nationwide. Brides received survey invitations shortly after their wedding date and were asked a comprehensive series of questions about the event and their planning process. All qualified respondents attested that they were 18 or older and had a wedding in 2014. 
 
 Survey respondents represent a variety of ethnicities and educational and income levels, and are geographically dispersed across the country. The survey and data management partner for the study was Decipher Inc. 
 
 About The Knot 
 
 The Knot is the nation's leading wedding resource, reaching nearly every couple in America through the #1 wedding website, TheKnot.com; mobile apps, The Knot national and local wedding magazines; The Knot book series; and syndicated columns in newspapers nationwide. The Knot is the flagship brand of XO Group Inc. (NYSE: XOXO), XO Group Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: XOXO, xogroupinc.com), the premier consumer internet and media company dedicated to guiding people through transformative life stages - from getting married, moving in together and having a baby. Follow The Knot on Twitter and Instagram @TheKnot. 
 
 CONTACTS: 
 
 Caty Bennett 
 
 Public Relations Manager, The Knot 
 
 XO Group Inc. 
 
 (212) 515-3595 
 
 cbennett@xogrp.com 
 
 Jennifer Perciballi 
 
 VP, Corporate Communications 
 
 XO Group Inc. 
 
 212.515.1595 
 
 jperciballi@xogrp.com 
 
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 SOURCE XO Group Inc. 
 
 Related Links 
 
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– In what some are calling one sign of an improving economy, if at the expense of newlyweds, a new survey by The Knot finds that the average cost of a US wedding jumped to $31,213 last year, marking a five-year high when adjusted for inflation. In its eighth report, the wedding site reveals in a press release that when it came to the 16,000 brides and grooms married in 2014 and then surveyed, most couples split that bill evenly with the bride's parents: On average, each footed 43% of the bill, with the groom's parents chipping in 12%. In fact, only 12% of couples paid for their weddings themselves. And sticking to the budget is apparently tough: 45% of couples didn't manage to do so (another 23% didn't even make a budget). As for the dress, brides spent an average $1,357. The survey also found that the most expensive place to wed was Manhattan, where the average price tag was $76,328 (which is actually down almost $10,000 from the previous year), while the least expensive was Utah, where weddings cost less than half the national average at $15,257. Couples are spending more per head, too, as the average guest list shrunk from 149 in 2009 to 136 in 2014. On the subject of marriage and money, according to a February Redfin survey, 38% of millennials say they have or intend to put off marrying so they can afford to buy a home, reports Bloomberg Business. MarketWatch notes the average wedding price happens to be $92 less than a 15% down payment on a $208,700 home—the country's median price last quarter. (Check out some of the celebrities who perform at weddings.)