Illinois Couples Are Paying More Than Ever To Say “I Do”

The Price of “I Do”: Why 2026 Weddings Stand out as a Major Expense

Before you say “I do,” you’d best make sure you’ve got enough money to cover it, because the way things are looking, you’ll need a small loan to pull it off.

According to Zola, which looked at how much weddings cost in 2026, did a great job of putting the whole thing into perspective while making us all wonder if maybe a trip to the courthouse might be a better idea.

In order to come up with a number for each state, Zola looked at these categories:

* Venue & Site Fees
* Catering
* Photography
* Videography
* Wedding Planning
* Flowers & Decor
* Bar Services
* Music & Entertainment
* Hair & Makeup
* Wedding Cake & Desserts
* Wedding Dress
* Wedding Dress Alterations
* Wedding Tux Rental
* Officiant
* Invitations

That’s not even counting the honeymoon, engagement ring, wedding rings, and the rehearsal dinner.

READ MORE: Nicholas Conservatory Among Top Wedding Venues in Illinois

Location, Location, Location: How Geography Dictates Your Wedding Budget

The biggest factor in how much your wedding is going to cost is where you’re having it, and I’m not talking about the venue, but the actual state.

A California wedding? Get ready, because your bank account will be screaming for help. Meanwhile, a wedding in Wisconsin is about half the total cost of one in California.

READ MORE: There's An App For That: When You Should Be Married By

The Illinois Middle Ground: What Local Couples Can Expect to Pay

As for Illinois, it’s kind of in the middle but definitely closer to Wisconsin than California. Zola says you can expect to pay as little as $32,000 for your wedding, with costs going up to about $48,000.

If you’ve ever planned a wedding, do you feel like that number is relatively small, or is Zola’s estimate way out of pocket?