Austin has hit the list as one of the top spots in the nation to get hitched, landing at No. 21 on WalletHub's "Best Places to Get Married" in 2024 rankings. The bustling Texas city edged into the second place within the state, just behind El Paso which snagged the 10th spot overall.
Austin won its high marks thanks to a wealth of venues and top-tier event planning services, where according to CultureMap Austin, the city is home to more than 100 wedding hotspots, not counting those in the nearby self-proclaimed 'Wedding Capital of Texas', Dripping Springs. Despite its abundance, doing the matrimonial math, weddings in Austin average a price tag of about $34,823 – surpassing the national cost average by a thread.
"A person’s wedding day can be the happiest day of their life, but it can also be a financial nightmare with how expensive venues, food, and other essentials are," WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe cautioned in the report that was underscored by CultureMap Austin. Still, Texas as a whole offers a reprieve, with weddings in the Lone Star State averaging about $27,000, well below the roughly $30,000 national figure.
But it's not simply about the bottom line. The capital city dazzles with options that cater to a couple’s sense of adventure and guest entertainment, which is probably why it ranked eight and 15 in terms of facilities and services, and activities and attractions, respectively. According to CultureMap Austin, Austin notably stands out with the highest number of event planners per capita among the cities in the WalletHub study, promising a wedding that can be as bespoke as it is unforgettable.
Given the times, experts have recognized the rising waves inflation has caused in the wedding services market, with costs expected to keep climbing. WalletHub's report, as echoed by BNN Breaking News, outlines that places like Austin will continue to be appealing as they offer "competitive pricing and a wide range of options."
Nevertheless, Austin's allure seems to transcend the financials, as it continues to woo couples with its marriage of Southern hospitality, vibrant culture, and scenic flair. As for who clinched the title of the best city for weddings this year, Orlando, Florida, took the bouquet handily, with others such as Miami, Tampa, and Las Vegas also making the top cut according to BNN Breaking News
