The Complete Long Island Wedding Cost Guide

Related: see our newer guide on The Complete Hudson Valley Wedding Cost Guide.

Based on 656 vendors listed in The Blu List's Long Island directory across 11 categories. Last updated July 2026.

Long Island weddings run anywhere from $25,000 to well over $150,000 depending on where you celebrate, how many guests you invite, and which vendors you hire. The median venue alone costs $10,800. Stack the rest of your vendors on top and a realistic all-in budget for a 100-guest Long Island wedding lands between $45,000 and $85,000.

That range is wide because Long Island is wide — financially and geographically. A Friday evening at a waterfront Nassau County manor costs three times more than a Sunday garden ceremony in Suffolk County. This guide breaks down what every major vendor category actually charges, based on published prices in our database.

The Short Answer

A mid-range Long Island wedding with 100 guests, a full-service venue, DJ, photographer, florist, caterer, and planner will cost $55,000–$80,000 all-in. Budget weddings can land closer to $30,000–$45,000 if you choose off-peak dates, a smaller guest list, and vendors in the affordable tier. Luxury events at estate venues with a live band, high-end florals, and full planning routinely exceed $120,000.

The biggest variable is your venue. With a median published price of $10,800 and a top of $78,953, venue choice alone can swing your total budget by $50,000 or more.

How Vendors Price Themselves

Published prices across 656 Long Island vendors in our database:

Category	Vendors Listed	Price Range	Median	Notes
Venue	142	$100–$78,953	$10,800	Widest spread of any category
Photographer	124	$500–$8,500	$3,000	Most price data of any category
HMUA	126	$125–$650	$145	Per-service pricing; full-party costs multiply
Florist	57	$8,000–$10,000	$10,000	Package pricing, not per-arrangement
DJ	50	$350–$3,000	$650	Most DJs priced affordably
Planner	47	$3,000	$3,000	Limited published pricing
Videographer	31	Unlisted majority	—	Most require inquiry
Photo Booth	23	Mostly unlisted	—	Tier data only
Caterer	34	$350–$3,000	$650	Per-person and package mix
Band	19	$350–$3,000	$650	Smaller vendor pool
Officiant	3	Unlisted	—	Thin category data

The "Unlisted" problem is real: 108 of 142 venues, 122 of 124 photographers, and 119 of 126 HMUAs don't publish prices. That's not unusual — it's how most of the wedding industry operates. But it means budget conversations require direct outreach for most vendors. Browse all Long Island vendors to start building your list.

What You Get at Each Price Point

Venues: $100–$78,953

Five venue vendors in our database fall into the Budget tier, six in Affordable, twelve in Moderate, and eleven in Luxury. The $100–$185 entries are almost certainly per-person or per-hour pricing, not flat fees. Flat-fee venue rentals in the Moderate tier run $5,850–$25,000. Luxury estates and waterfront properties with in-house catering and full buyouts publish prices up to $78,953.

For most couples, the real choice is between $8,000–$15,000 (mid-tier venues with package options) and $15,000–$35,000 (estate and country club venues with exclusive access). Browse Long Island wedding venues.

Photographers: $500–$8,500

Median price is $3,000. The spread in our 36 published photographer prices tells the story clearly:

Under $2,000: newer photographers, limited packages, fewer hours
$2,000–$4,000: the densest part of the market — experienced photographers with full-day coverage and digital galleries
$4,000–$6,000: established shooters, second shooters often included, albums available
$6,000–$8,500: boutique studios, destination-experienced teams, high-end albums

Most couples spending $3,000–$4,500 get 8–10 hours, one photographer, and an online gallery. Add $500–$800 for a second shooter and $800–$1,500 for an album. Browse Long Island wedding photographers.

Florists: $8,000–$10,000

The published price range here is $8,000–$10,000 with a median of $10,000 — and that's package pricing, not a single arrangement. Long Island florists who publish prices tend to be mid-range studios offering ceremony and reception packages together. Budget florists and luxury studios with $20,000+ budgets are both more likely to list prices on inquiry only. If your floral vision is elaborate, budget $12,000–$20,000 and request itemized quotes. Browse Long Island wedding florists.

DJs: $350–$3,000

Fifty DJs in our database, with most concentrated in the Affordable (17) and Moderate (14) tiers. The $350 floor likely reflects part-time or newer DJs with minimal setups. Established wedding DJs on Long Island typically run $1,200–$2,500 for a 5–6 hour reception. Ceremony coverage, cocktail hour music, and lighting add-ons push totals higher. Browse Long Island wedding DJs.

Hair and Makeup: $125–$650 per service

HMUA pricing on Long Island is almost entirely per-service, not per-wedding. At a median of $145 per service, a bride needing both hair and makeup pays $290–$500 for herself alone. A wedding party of four bridesmaids adds $1,160–$2,000. Factor in trial sessions (typically the same price as the service) and you're looking at $800–$2,500 total for the full party. Browse Long Island HMUAs.

Planners: Starting at $3,000

Forty-seven planners in our database. Three are inexpensive, thirteen affordable, eighteen moderate, two luxury — with limited published prices beyond that. Day-of coordination starts around $1,500–$3,000. Full planning runs $5,000–$15,000+ depending on the scale of the wedding and how long the engagement is. Partial planning (design plus vendor management, minus logistics) typically falls between $3,500–$7,000.

What Drives the Price Up

Guest count: Most venue and catering costs scale per head. Going from 75 to 150 guests can add $15,000–$30,000.
Day of week: Saturday premium is real — expect 20–40% higher venue and vendor fees versus a Friday or Sunday.
Season: June, September, and October are peak months on Long Island. January–March and late November are meaningfully cheaper.
Waterfront or estate venues: Locations with water views in Nassau County (North Shore especially) and the Hamptons command premiums of $10,000–$40,000 over comparable inland venues.
Live band vs. DJ: A band in our database runs up to $3,000, but most established wedding bands on Long Island with 6–10 musicians run $8,000–$20,000 — far outside what our current database captures.
Florals: Moving from simple greenery-forward arrangements to full floral installations can triple the florals budget.
Open bar: Not always included in venue packages. Full open bar for 5 hours typically adds $45–$85 per person.
Videography: 28 of 31 videographers in our database are either Affordable or Moderate tier — but most don't list prices. Budget $2,500–$6,000 for professional wedding film coverage.

Three Realistic Long Island Wedding Budgets

Budget: $35,000 for 75 Guests

Venue rental at a park or non-traditional space: $3,000–$5,000. Catering at $85/head: $6,375. DJ: $1,500. Photographer: $2,500. HMUA for bride plus two: $750. Florist with simple arrangements: $3,500. Officiant: $400. Photo booth rental: $800. Miscellaneous (invitations, cake, transportation): $3,000. Planner, day-of coordination only: $2,000. Estimated total: $23,825–$29,825 — leaving room for dress, rings, and honeymoon in the $35,000 envelope.

This budget requires off-peak timing, a non-hotel/country club venue, and vendors at or below median pricing.

Mid-Range: $65,000 for 120 Guests

Venue package with in-house catering at $130/head all-in: $15,600. DJ with lighting: $2,500. Photographer (8 hours, gallery): $3,500. Second shooter: $700. Florist package: $9,500. HMUA for bride plus three: $1,200. Planner, partial planning: $5,000. Videographer: $3,500. Photo booth: $1,200. Officiant: $500. Cake: $1,000. Transportation: $1,500. Invitations and stationery: $800. Miscellaneous: $2,500. Estimated total: $48,500–$58,000 before attire and rings.

This is the most achievable mid-range scenario — a venue with inclusive pricing, vetted vendors at market median rates, and no major luxury upgrades.

Luxury: $120,000+ for 150 Guests

Estate or waterfront venue (Nassau North Shore or Hamptons): $35,000–$50,000 flat fee or buyout. Catering separately at $175/head: $26,250. Wedding band (8-piece): $15,000. Photographer plus second shooter: $7,500. Videographer with highlight film: $6,000. Florist, full design: $18,000. HMUA for bride plus bridal party of five: $2,500. Full planner: $12,000. Rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, additional events: $15,000+. Miscellaneous (transportation, stationery, favors, cake): $6,000. Estimated total: $143,250–$157,750 before attire.

At this level, vendor quality and availability matter more than price negotiation. Book 12–18 months out for peak dates.

How to Find the Right Vendors on Long Island

Start with your venue and date — your venue choice determines catering logistics, guest capacity, and often dictates vendor access lists. Some venues require you to use their in-house caterer or approved DJ list.
Set a per-category budget before you search — use the numbers above as anchors, then filter by tier in our directory. The Wedding Budget Calculator helps allocate percentages across categories.
Request published prices first — vendors who publish prices are easier to compare quickly. Use our Long Island vendor directory to filter by category and price tier.
Get three quotes per category — for vendors without published pricing (most photographers, videographers, planners), contact at least three before narrowing down.
Ask about off-peak availability — most Long Island vendors are open to negotiated rates for January–March bookings or Sunday events. Even top-tier photographers and venues discount for slow-season dates.
Check what's included in venue packages — some Long Island all-inclusive venues bundle catering, tables, linens, and bar service. Others are raw-rental spaces. The difference can be $8,000–$20,000 in add-ons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the average Long Island wedding cost in 2026?

Based on vendor pricing in our database, a typical Long Island wedding with 100 guests runs $55,000–$80,000 all-in. That assumes a mid-tier venue, DJ (not band), photographer around $3,000, florist package around $10,000, and partial planning. Smaller guest lists and off-peak dates bring that down to $35,000–$50,000. Hamptons and North Shore estate weddings with 150+ guests routinely exceed $120,000.

Is Long Island more expensive than New York City for weddings?

It depends on the category. Venue and catering costs are generally lower on Long Island than in Manhattan — you get more space for the money. Photographers and florists price similarly. The gap widens at the luxury end: a Hamptons estate wedding can rival or exceed Midtown hotel pricing. For most couples, Long Island offers better value per square foot and per guest than NYC. See our NYC average wedding cost guide for a direct comparison.

What's the cheapest time of year to get married on Long Island?

January through March is the slowest period. Venues and vendors are most likely to negotiate or offer discounts — typically 15–30% off peak rates. Late November (excluding Thanksgiving weekend) and February weekdays are also low demand. If you want a Sunday wedding, most vendors apply minimal or no weekend premium, and venues often have better availability.

Do Long Island venues require you to use their in-house vendors?

Many do, especially country club and hotel venues. In-house catering requirements are common — which removes caterer selection from your hands but can simplify logistics. Some venues maintain preferred vendor lists for DJs, photographers, and florists, which may or may not be mandatory. Ask this question explicitly before signing any venue contract.

How far in advance should I book for a Long Island wedding?

For Saturday peak season (May–October), plan to book your venue 12–18 months out. Photographers book up 12–14 months ahead for popular weekends. DJs and florists typically have more flexibility at 8–12 months. If you're planning a Hamptons or waterfront venue wedding in peak summer, 18 months is not excessive — some of those properties book two years out.

Pricing data sourced from 656 vendors in The Blu List's Long Island directory, based on published rates as of July 2026. Prices subject to change; contact vendors directly to confirm current availability and quotes.