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Michiganders spent $1.4 billion on weddings in 2016, an average of $24,799 per event, according to costofwedding.com, an Arizona-based marketing website that collects and analyzes surveys of wedding couples.

The U.S. average was $26,720, said The Wedding Report Inc, which operates costofwedding.com.

However, that average is skewed by high-spenders: The national median cost was $14,399, which means half of weddings costs less than that. About 73% of U.S. weddings were less than $20,000, according to The Wedding Report, while only 16% spend more than $30,000.

The Wedding Report based its estimates on 9,298 surveys collected in 2016.

Demographics of the survey-takers:

79% of the surveys were filed out by women;

It was a first wedding for 90%;

5% were having a same-sex wedding;

Average age was 27.8;

Average household income was $71,328;

69.5% were white, 12% were African-American and 14% were Hispanic;

47% had a bachelor's degree.

Below is an online database of the estimated average costs of 2016 weddings by Michigan metro region, based on The Wedding Report's estimates. It also lists the number of weddings in each region, and the estimated total amount spent in each region on wedding-related expenditures.

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Average Michigan cost of an engagement ring: $3,177

One of the single-biggest expenses related to a wedding is an engagement ring -- which cost an average of $3,177 for Michigan couples in 2016, according to costofwedding.com.

The U.S. average for an engagement ring was $3,407, and the U.S. median was $1,823, the website says.

However, a 2013 report by Jewelers of America says men spent an average of $4.000 on an engagement ring, while The Knot's annual Real Weddings Study put the average at $6,163 in 2016.

One way to save money: Consider a stone other than a diamond.

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Average cost for wedding attire: $1,615

Average spending on attire for a Michigan wedding couple was $1,615 in 2016 compared to the national average of $1,756, according to The Wedding Report.

The national median was $1,225, including $890 for a wedding dress and $167 for tuxedo or suit, the website said.

The Knot puts the average U.S. cost of a wedding dress at $1,564, plus $301 on accessories. The Lyst website says the average budget for a wedding dress is $998.

One way to save money: Wedding dresses can be rented for $75 to $200.

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Average cost of reception food and drink: $6,541

The average Michigan wedding reception cost $11,889 in 2016, not including entertainment, decorations, printed material such as place cards and menus, and photography and/or videography.

The Michigan costs were about 7% below the U.S. average. But as generally the case with wedding costs, the averages are skewed by high-spenders, and the U.S. median is much lower for most of these categories: Half of couples paid less than $2,070 for food service, $1,143 for bar service, $1,950 for event space rental, $881 for venue rentals and $299 for wedding cake, according to costofwedding.com.

The reception typically accounts for about half of the wedding budget, according to The Knot, not including entertainment and photography/videography, each of which account for about 10 percent of typical wedding costs.

Tips for saving money: Hold the reception in a restaurant, which reduces rental costs, or pick a venue that allows you to use your own caterers and bring in the alcohol yourself.

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Average size of wedding is 125 guests

While the average wedding costs $26,720 in the United States, the cost varies widely and a big driver is the number of guests, says The Wedding report.

The Wedding Report estimates the average wedding involves 125 guests. A 2015 survey by the Wedding Wire offers a similar estimate: 120 guests.

Limiting the number of guests is one of the quickest ways to save money.

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Average spending on flowers and decorations: $1,756

The cost of flowers and decorations for a Michigan averaged $1,756 in 2016, which was about 6.5% below the U.S., according to The Wedding Report.

However, the U.S. median was $1,169: $286 for bouquets, $118 for corsages and boutainaires, $288 for event decorations, $213 for event flowers, $195 for centerpieces and $69 for flower girl petals, the website says.

The Knot puts the average even higher: $2,534.

Ways to save money on flowers: Use the same arrangements for both the ceremony and reception; stick with flowers that are local and seasonal, and make generous use of greenery that will help fill out the arrangements.

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Invitations only one of multiple printing costs associated with weddings

Invitations. Ceremony programs. Thank-you cards. Add up all the average costs associated with printed announcements related to a wedding and it totals $1,001.

The U.S. median for this price list is considerably less, at $579. The breakdown: $99 for invitations; ceremony programs, $79; reception menus, $53; save-the-date cards, $69; engagement announcements, $77; postage, $60; thank-you cards, $53; table place cards, $48, and guest book, $41, according to The Wedding Report.

The Knot puts the average cost of invitations at $462.

Ways to cut costs: Use digital technology vs. engraved invitations; use a less-expensive paper stock, and instead of having pre-stamp reply cards, have guests RVSP online.

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Average cost off a rehearsal dinner: $531

Wedding couples can spend thousands on miscellaneous expenses, from the rehearsal dinner to limo and transportation costs, to wedding favors and paying the person who officiates at the ceremony.

To save money on the rehearsal dinner: Have a potluck or barbeque; skip the open bar, and for something creative but less expensive -- hire a food truck to come to the rehearsal site.

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Average cost of a full-service wedding planner: $2,731

Not all wedding couples use a wedding planner, and of those who do, not all use a planner during the entire process. But The Wedding Report estimates the average cost of a full-service wedding planner is $2,731 in Michigan.

Michigan costs for wedding planners are about 1.5% below the national average. The U.S. median cost for a full-service wedding planner is considerably less -- $899, according to The Wedding Report.

Saving money: A wedding planner is most certainly an optional expense. But it also can save money in the long run: Wedding planners know good prices for wedding services -- and when a price is too good to be true. And you don't have to hire a full-service wedding planner: It's possible to customize the service, getting help at the front end or the day or to serve as a coordinator on the wedding day.

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Two-thirds of couples marry within 25 miles of their home

Two-thirds of U.S. couples marry within 25 miles of their home, and 80% marry within 50 miles, according to The Wedding Report.

The Knot says that destination weddings are growing in popularity, and they can be less expensive on average than a traditional wedding -- but that's because they typically involve a handful of guests. The Knot estimates the average cost of a destination wedding is $2,479 for a wedding within the United States and $3,839 per guest for a wedding outside the country.

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Source: Theweddingreport.com

Wedding costs trending down slightly from 2016 peak

The average amount U.S. couples spent on weddings in the second quarter of 2017 was down slightly fro the 2016 average, the website says. The average number of guests was 125.

"While average spending for most items remained flat, couples continue to spend less on services; such as, photography, video, and planning," said a blog post on the Wedding Report website. "Only Entertainment, Invitations, and event location saw some increase in spending."