Tying the knot’s not cheap — especially for New Yorkers.
And local lovebirds better have long money if they hope to get hitched on this lush island.
“Long Island takes the cake (and probably eats it, too) as the priciest place to exchange vows,” warn wedding researchers in a new study.
The coastal locale ranks as the No. 1 most expensive wedding destination in the U.S., per a recent report from GroomsDay, a virtual groomsman gifting hub.
Their big day data found that, on average, sweeties spend a staggering $58,245 to swap “I do’s” on the picturesque paradise — situated just outside of the Big Apple.
“These numbers really show how your wedding ZIP code can make your wallet zip shut,” said GroomsDay founder Chris Bajda, noting that the cost of a wedding on Long Island is nearly 70% above the national average of $34,679.
“But here’s the thing,” continued the pro, “a $60,000 wedding doesn’t guarantee 60,000 magical moments.”
And he’s right on the money.
As wedding costs continue climbing due to inflation, cash-conscious couples have become increasingly creative to keep expenses low.
Maria Cortese from Poughkeepsie, New York, avoided eye-popping price tags by tapping ChatGPT to coordinate her August 2024 nuptials.
“I’m saving so much money,” she told The Post before walking down the aisle. “I don’t need a wedding planner. AI does it all.”
Bride-to-be Caroline Spain, 27, of the East Village also previously told The Post that she and groom Stephen refuse to shell out over $100,000 to host their nuptials on a Saturday night in NYC.
Instead, the frugal fiancés are throwing a weekday bash at a castle in Dublin, Ireland, this month. Taking the plunge far beyond the city’s limits is saving the twosome around $70,000.
Other local darlings — at least those hoping to save a little dough — would be wise to consider a ceremony far from home, too.
Landing the No. 2 slot on the list of America’s most high-priced hotspots for weddings is upstate Westchester, New York, where newlyweds spend approximately $48,100 on the fancy fêtes.
Equally chic cities such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Boston, Massachusetts; and Hartford, Connecticut, respectively trailed Long Island and Westchester on GroomsDay’s ritzy roster.
The experts analyzed wedding cost data — which included the prices of engagement rings, venues, attire and transportation — from various cities and states across the nation.
For state-level data, average wedding expenses in 2024 were calculated based on surveys of more than 4,000 couples, assuming a guest list of 100 people. City-level costs were derived from thousands of recent couple reviews on WeddingWire, reflecting actual pricing for various wedding services.
Nearly-weds in Salt Lake City, Utah, can breathe a sigh of relief as the snowy scene’s been crowned the cheapest wedding destination in America. It only costs a cool $27,210 to exchange rings in the chilly haven, according to the findings.
Couples in Kansas City, Missouri; Charleston South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and Portland, Oregon, can let out a “Phew!” too, as the rural cities ranked after SLC in the top five least expensive areas for holy matrimonies.
But no matter where significant others do it, Bajda says the special occasion is more about the love than the luxe.
