This is How Much It Costs to Get Married in the Hudson Valley

So how much does it cost to get married in Westchester or the Hudson Valley? About $54,000. That’s the latest figure from The Knot’s annual survey, which gathers information on spending from 13,000 brides and grooms nationwide. (That’s down about $3,000 from last year.)

In 2016, guest experiences — catering, cigar rollers, entertainment, etc. — were where most couples chose to spend their money. “Wedding spending continues to rise, but at the same time, guest lists are shrinking as couples spend more per guest to create an unforgettable experience for those closest to them,” explains The Knot editor-in-chief Kellie Gould in a press release. “Couples are also using their wedding day to make their first big statement as a couple. From invitations to the reception band, couples are spending more to put their personal stamp on every detail.”

Need a little inspiration on spending your wedding-day budget? Pinterest recently released a trend report tracking the biggest trends in wedding planning, from attire to honeymoons, based on the frequency of searches. Check out some of the findings below.

Falling for Fall

Autumn is now the most popular wedding season. While summer still remains popular, September and October weddings have unseated June for top honors. In the Hudson Valley, we think that might have something to do with the reasonable temps and gorgeous fall color.

Navy Suits and Off-the-shoulder Gowns

We’ve seen grooms moving away from traditional black tuxes for quite some time, but Pinterest reports that searches for navy suits hit an all-time high last year. And brides are falling in love with romantic off-the-shoulder silhouettes.

Casual Catering is King

Searches for taco weddings were up 132 percent from last year, proof that couples are moving away from formal chicken-or-fish dinners and toward cocktail receptions and casual family-style meals. Also on the rise: brunch receptions — perfect for a savings-savvy Sunday wedding.

Drip Cakes

As naked cakes fade out of style, drip cakes seem to taking their place. Searches were up a whopping 437 percent last year, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

New Orleans is Where It’s at

Sorry Vegas, New Orleans, with its romantic architecture, fantastic dining and nightlife scenes, and trendy boutique hotels, is the new hot spot for a destination bachelorette.

Going Greenery

While florals are still a fixture — especially for dramatic cascading bridal bouquets — couples are increasingly turning to greenery (which can also have the benefit of being less expensive) for a natural feel to reception décor.

Honeymoons Close to Home

Newlyweds are opting to take mini-moons, either in place of a honeymoon or as a stopgap until a bigger, once-in-a-lifetime escape.