The real cost of a wedding in 2024? It depends where you say ‘I do'
Santa Clara County in California holds the title for the priciest weddings on average, reaching $56,519. But costs can climb even higher in some places depending on the setting and guest count. A wedding in East Hampton, N.Y., with 250 guests, for example, ranges between $60,000 and $75,000, with venues costing over twice as much as the national average. Of course, some couples will opt for flashier, big-budget events, far exceeding these numbers.
Not all weddings are splashy, high-end productions, though. TWR's cost data, which is based on real couples' budgets rather than vendor prices, also shows half of U.S. couples spend under $19,112 on their big day.
Venues and catering are among the highest ticket items, based on average national costs from TWR. That means couples hoping to save money might want to consider hosting a micro-wedding with fewer guests in a backyard or small-scale venue. Other swaps — like hiring a DJ instead of a live band for about a third of the price — can also help cut costs, as can taking a DIY approach to some aspects of the planning and decor.
Yahoo News used data from The Wedding Report to map the cost of weddings across the U.S.
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2 days ago
- Yahoo
He's back to break the rules one last time, 'belly fat and bad knees be damned'
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler all star in new movies about older, unconventional pros who make one last return to their fields. The box office loves it. There's a guy. He's really good at what he does, but his methods are a bit unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that he's a bit notorious and hesitant to return to his career, where his peers and bosses find him dangerous and irritating. But things are getting pretty bad, so he has to make a triumphant return, breaking a few rules in his quest to save the day. You'll just have to trust him. This is the plot of at least three movies that premiered this summer: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, F1: The Movie and Happy Gilmore 2. They're all ultra-successful hits led by beloved movie stars — a dying breed who don't sign on to just any project. The 'trust me' trope has proven to be so successful, it's no wonder they're fueling the box office and streaming charts. 'I need you to trust me one last time,' Tom Cruise's stubbornly capable secret agent character says in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. He proceeds to push the laws of physics and defy the typical constraints of the human body — never mind that Cruise is in his 60s and does his own stunts — frustrating those around him, but saving the world. The appeal of the 'trust me' trope goes back to our psychological need in stories and in real life to feel secure, Alex Beene, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, tells Yahoo. We like seeing this sort of thing played out onscreen over and over again because it's one of our most basic desires. 'As much as men and women claim to love independence in most aspects of their lives, there's a sense of relief and assuredness in letting someone else solve problems and overcome challenges,' he says. 'As a member of the audience, it's even more appealing because it makes you feel [that] all because of one person or group, everything ultimately will be OK.' 'Belly fat and bad knees be damed' The fact that the fictional heroes we're often comforted by are tough, experienced men appeals greatly to other people like them. Adults over 45 are the demographic least likely to go to the movies, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted in May 2025, so it makes sense that studios may craft narratives and cast actors specifically to break into that market. 'For older men, [a 'trust me' story] offers the promise that they, too, could pull it all together to save themselves or their families or the world if push came to shove, belly fat and bad knees be damned,' Tim Stevens, a writer at Connecticut College, tells Yahoo. Younger demographics may see a bit of their own dads in those characters. Though Cruise's character isn't a father, he has a fatherly relationship with several of his younger teammates, leading and protecting them even at his own expense. Christopher McKittrick, the former editor of Creative Screenwriting magazine, tells Yahoo that "grizzled old gunslinger" stories have been popular since classic Western films first took off. They appeal to dads in particular because they love seeing someone truly talented and experienced share their knowledge with young people, who then trust them and take their advice. It helps that the stars of these movies are actually veterans of their own industries, too. 'Men can identify with aging movie stars like … Cruise and Pitt based on their personas of keeping a cool head under fire, utilizing their unique expertise to solve a critical problem, and, of course, teaching those young people what they don't know,' McKittrick says. 'Taking dad to see a crowd-pleasing movie like this can make for an easy family outing and is an easy way for kids to connect with dad's interests.' It's nice to see an older guy come out on top. It may happen all the time in the movies now, but that's not typically the case in sports or other real-life, action-packed scenarios. In F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt plays a talented but rough-around-the-edges driver who returns to Formula 1 racing years after a horrific crash, only to use strategic aggressive driving and crashing to help his team defeat the competition. He defies the expectations of his younger teammate, but instead of shoving it in his face, he teaches the rising star a thing or two. Dads love this, but so do audiences at large: F1: The Movie has made more than $500 million at the global box office, becoming both Pitt and production company Apple's biggest blockbuster. To Stevens, 'trust me' movies all share a similar goal: to fulfill 'the promise that it is never too late for you to make a difference, [that] your heroes are still the people they were when you first looked up to them and [that] there are people out there in the world motivated by more than greed, arrogance and cynicism.' I need a hero Though the sheen of pure masculinity is what may initially draw people into these action movies and comedies, there's an inherent vulnerability in these stories. Returning to the careers they've left, even if the goal is to save the day, requires vulnerability. The way this subverts our expectations and reverses typical power dynamics 'makes a self-reliant hero irresistibly human and relatable,' Ali Shehata, a physician and founder of production company FamCinema, tells Yahoo. The fact that our protagonists are begging for trust 'one last time' adds an element of scarcity, resulting in a situation that is 'truly epic,' he says. Even Happy Gilmore, a golfer whose violently powerful swing infuriated his peers and made him a legend, goes to a place of deep vulnerability in Happy Gilmore 2. Twenty-nine years after the original film, he returns to golf to earn money for his daughter's education. Though his character oozes humor and aggression, the sequel pushes him — and us — to emotional places. Viewers are buying into it as well — it had the biggest weekend debut ever for a Netflix film with 46 million views in just three days. 'It gives us that exhilarating feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, while also creating suspense about whether that precious trust we lend to our hero, whom we have faithfully followed for so many previous adventures, will finally be vindicated,' Shehata says. It's satisfying to see them succeed as their enemies and critics fail, delivering a happy ending through action-packed events, unconventional twists and emotionally vulnerable moments. It's no wonder it's the go-to formula for a box office hit this summer. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
He's back to break the rules one last time, 'belly fat and bad knees be damned'
Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler all star in new movies about older, unconventional pros who make one last return to their fields. The box office loves it. There's a guy. He's really good at what he does, but his methods are a bit unconventional. So unconventional, in fact, that he's a bit notorious and hesitant to return to his career, where his peers and bosses find him dangerous and irritating. But things are getting pretty bad, so he has to make a triumphant return, breaking a few rules in his quest to save the day. You'll just have to trust him. This is the plot of at least three movies that premiered this summer: Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, F1: The Movie and Happy Gilmore 2. They're all ultra-successful hits led by beloved movie stars — a dying breed who don't sign on to just any project. The 'trust me' trope has proven to be so successful, it's no wonder they're fueling the box office and streaming charts. 'I need you to trust me one last time,' Tom Cruise's stubbornly capable secret agent character says in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. He proceeds to push the laws of physics and defy the typical constraints of the human body — never mind that Cruise is in his 60s and does his own stunts — frustrating those around him, but saving the world. The appeal of the 'trust me' trope goes back to our psychological need in stories and in real life to feel secure, Alex Beene, a professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, tells Yahoo. We like seeing this sort of thing played out onscreen over and over again because it's one of our most basic desires. 'As much as men and women claim to love independence in most aspects of their lives, there's a sense of relief and assuredness in letting someone else solve problems and overcome challenges,' he says. 'As a member of the audience, it's even more appealing because it makes you feel [that] all because of one person or group, everything ultimately will be OK.' 'Belly fat and bad knees be damed' The fact that the fictional heroes we're often comforted by are tough, experienced men appeals greatly to other people like them. Adults over 45 are the demographic least likely to go to the movies, according to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted in May 2025, so it makes sense that studios may craft narratives and cast actors specifically to break into that market. 'For older men, [a 'trust me' story] offers the promise that they, too, could pull it all together to save themselves or their families or the world if push came to shove, belly fat and bad knees be damned,' Tim Stevens, a writer at Connecticut College, tells Yahoo. Younger demographics may see a bit of their own dads in those characters. Though Cruise's character isn't a father, he has a fatherly relationship with several of his younger teammates, leading and protecting them even at his own expense. Christopher McKittrick, the former editor of Creative Screenwriting magazine, tells Yahoo that "grizzled old gunslinger" stories have been popular since classic Western films first took off. They appeal to dads in particular because they love seeing someone truly talented and experienced share their knowledge with young people, who then trust them and take their advice. It helps that the stars of these movies are actually veterans of their own industries, too. 'Men can identify with aging movie stars like … Cruise and Pitt based on their personas of keeping a cool head under fire, utilizing their unique expertise to solve a critical problem, and, of course, teaching those young people what they don't know,' McKittrick says. 'Taking dad to see a crowd-pleasing movie like this can make for an easy family outing and is an easy way for kids to connect with dad's interests.' It's nice to see an older guy come out on top. It may happen all the time in the movies now, but that's not typically the case in sports or other real-life, action-packed scenarios. In F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt plays a talented but rough-around-the-edges driver who returns to Formula 1 racing years after a horrific crash, only to use strategic aggressive driving and crashing to help his team defeat the competition. He defies the expectations of his younger teammate, but instead of shoving it in his face, he teaches the rising star a thing or two. Dads love this, but so do audiences at large: F1: The Movie has made more than $500 million at the global box office, becoming both Pitt and production company Apple's biggest blockbuster. To Stevens, 'trust me' movies all share a similar goal: to fulfill 'the promise that it is never too late for you to make a difference, [that] your heroes are still the people they were when you first looked up to them and [that] there are people out there in the world motivated by more than greed, arrogance and cynicism.' I need a hero Though the sheen of pure masculinity is what may initially draw people into these action movies and comedies, there's an inherent vulnerability in these stories. Returning to the careers they've left, even if the goal is to save the day, requires vulnerability. The way this subverts our expectations and reverses typical power dynamics 'makes a self-reliant hero irresistibly human and relatable,' Ali Shehata, a physician and founder of production company FamCinema, tells Yahoo. The fact that our protagonists are begging for trust 'one last time' adds an element of scarcity, resulting in a situation that is 'truly epic,' he says. Even Happy Gilmore, a golfer whose violently powerful swing infuriated his peers and made him a legend, goes to a place of deep vulnerability in Happy Gilmore 2. Twenty-nine years after the original film, he returns to golf to earn money for his daughter's education. Though his character oozes humor and aggression, the sequel pushes him — and us — to emotional places. Viewers are buying into it as well — it had the biggest weekend debut ever for a Netflix film with 46 million views in just three days. 'It gives us that exhilarating feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, while also creating suspense about whether that precious trust we lend to our hero, whom we have faithfully followed for so many previous adventures, will finally be vindicated,' Shehata says. It's satisfying to see them succeed as their enemies and critics fail, delivering a happy ending through action-packed events, unconventional twists and emotionally vulnerable moments. It's no wonder it's the go-to formula for a box office hit this summer. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
Could Gen Z save moviegoing?
Streaming might be dominant entertainment right now, but young adults are seeking real-life community at the cinema. When young people turn out at the movie theater in droves, they make headlines for flinging popcorn and screaming. Accused of being antisocial homebodies, some theaters have tried to lure them off their couches and into their seats by letting them keep their tiny beacons of light and distraction out during phone-friendly screenings. Some say they're willing to turn their hallowed halls into amusement parks with bowling lanes and roller-coaster-esque 4DX screenings, all to boost their offerings and keep the hallowed tradition of theatergoing alive in the digital age. But as ticket prices rise and at-home streaming options proliferate, what if Gen Z is the movie theater industry's greatest hope? According to a Yahoo News/YouGov Survey conducted May 22-27, 2025, Americans surveyed say they prefer to wait to see a new movie when it's available on streaming (61%) rather than seeing it in theaters (23%). But young adults under 30 are the age group most likely to head to the cinema, according to the poll. About half (49%) have seen a movie in a theater in the past six months, and 60% in the past year. And when a new movie comes out, respondents under 30 were the most likely to say they'd see it in theaters (31%) vs. waiting for it to become available on streaming (53%), compared to adults 30 and older. So what's enticing them to put their phones down, travel to the theater and give the big screen their attention for a few hours? 54% of Gen Z-ers surveyed said they want 'an experience I can't get at home.' More than half of poll respondents under 30 said an interesting plot (56%) and lower ticket cost (55%) could persuade them to get their butts in seats too. 'The most coveted demographic' Though assumptions about Gen Z's affinity for phones and hatred of spending money might lead some people to believe that they might not love theatergoing, it's actually an organic part of the young adult experience. George Huang, a filmmaker and professor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, tells Yahoo it makes total sense that younger generations are more likely to go to the theater than their millennial, Gen X and boomer counterparts. They typically spend less time fretting about work, kids and taxes, Huang says. And Hollywood knows this. 'The most coveted demographic has always been young adults … economically, they have the most spare time,' he explains. 'And movies, in comparison to sporting events or live concerts, are still the cheapest ticket around.' Young audiences are also 'trendsetters and cultural arbiters of cool … and let's face it, who doesn't want to be cool!' Huang adds. 'A decline in Hollywood films' Studios have long had an eye out for young adults. Susan Doll, a film historian who teaches at Ringling College of Art and Design, tells Yahoo that the industry has prioritized reaching young moviegoers since the 1980s. In the years leading up to that decade, the artistic ambitions of legendary filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola led "to excesses in budgets and shooting schedules," which corporate conglomerates that bought film studios weren't particularly fond of. As a result, new executives focused on budget control and commercial franchises to boost profits. They noted the financial success of 1975's Jaws and 1977's Star Wars, and a 'fascination and then dependence on blockbuster movies' began. Executives also took note of the fact that young viewers would go to the theater to see movies like 1978's Superman and Halloween multiple times, creating a fan base that would carry over to sequels and series. 'These beloved films tended to be viscerally sensational, relying heavily on action, fast pacing, and special effects. They were also uncomplicated, and without irony or moral ambiguity,' Doll says. The young demographic then became the primary demographic. In Doll's opinion, the 'dominance of formula, the adherence to genres driven by expensive special effects, the embracing of the clichéd heroes played by costly stars and the acceptance of costly marketing strategies … please a young demographic, [but] the end result is a decline in [the quality of] Hollywood films,' she says. 'This generation of moviegoers ... is really smart' Still, the industry needs money to survive, and box office numbers don't lie: Audiences are flocking to see movies made for the youngest theatergoers. Five of the 10 biggest films at the domestic box office in 2024 — Inside Out 2, Wicked, Moana 2, Despicable Me 4 and Kung Fu Panda 4 — were rated G or PG, suggesting they were targeting young audiences that include children younger than Gen Z. But all 10 of them — even the PG-13-rated, Oscar-nominated Dune: Part Two and expletive-filled, R-rated Deadpool & Wolverine — were constructed from familiar intellectual property and involve the heavy use of special effects that studios have long used to target young people. Not every Gen Z theatergoer wants to see a blockbuster based on well-known characters. Multiple theater owners tell Yahoo that they were moved by the success of director Ryan Coogler's film Sinners, which is among the top three most successful movies at the 2025 domestic box office to date. Box office stats can't capture the trend in seeing older, classic movies that theater owners say they've noticed. When David Lynch died in Jan. 2025, the nonprofit Belcourt Theatre in Nashville screened his offbeat hits Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead. Those movies are accessible — and popular — on streaming services, but young people turned out in droves to see the auteur's masterpieces on the big screen, just as Lynch would have wanted. Stephanie Silverman, Belcourt's executive director, tells Yahoo she sees a lot of young people at the theater, and she's not alone. She spoke at a conference of European independent cinemas in 2024, where she heard that young audiences across the globe are showing up for the rereleases of prestigious classics like The Seventh Samurai and Princess Mononoke. 'This generation of moviegoers … is really smart. Whether it's spending time on [movie review social media site] Letterboxd during the pandemic, or having a curiosity about past filmmaking and how it connects to current filmmaking,' she says. 'They come in curious, wanting to see films that are recognized as important that they could watch on their televisions at home, but they want to see them in community.' This is a massive victory for theatergoing, Silverman says, because it creates lifelong customers. As these Gen Z-ers start families, they might have less time to go to the movies at first, but could pick that back up when the kids are old enough to go to the theater. 'Our fractured digital selves can feel whole' Since Gen Z was raised with easy access to technology and the internet, they spend that excess of alone time online. They still crave in-person events, though, seeking a sense of identity and community in an ever-fractured world. Theatergoing can provide that. Jack Goodson, a Gen Z expert known as the Identity Consultant, tells Yahoo that 'cinema isn't just a format — it's a ritual, and rituals matter more when identity is unstable.' 'Gen Z isn't saving cinema. They're reminding it what it's for — collective myth, emotional cohesion and the rare moment where our fractured digital selves can feel whole,' he says. But since Gen Z's moviegoing habits are driven by their desire to develop identity, some experts say studios could do a better job making movies that make them feel represented on-screen. Michael Tran, who co-authored UCLA's annual Hollywood Diversity Report in 2025, tells Yahoo that 'racial/ethnic and gender diversity has unfailingly remained a key predictor of success at the box office' — but younger moviegoers aren't rushing to the theater as much as they could because they're 'hesitant to see films that do not cater to them.' According to data from the UCLA report, young adult women, particularly those of color, are vital consumers. Studios and filmmakers not tapping into that demographic is leaving money on the table. Barak Epstein, operator of the Texas Theatre in Dallas, tells Yahoo that young people naturally flock to their cinema. They saw a lot of success last year with Sean Baker's buzzy, Oscar-winning Anora, and again this year with a movie called F***toys that hasn't been picked up for distribution yet. Filmmaker Annapurna Sriram is 'going on tour with it like a rock band,' and young people are turning out with enthusiasm, Epstein says. I saw this firsthand at a 4DX screening of A Minecraft Movie. The enthusiasm of Gen Z and Gen Alpha viewers led to theaters creating special "chicken jockey" screenings that featured sanctioned chaos. It was delightful. For Gen Z, moviegoing is a ritual. It's an easy and relatively inexpensive way to access community and celebrate identity. Now they just need other generations to catch on and keep that experience alive. 'Sometimes I'm like, 'How do I find older people?' Epstein laughs. __________________ The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,560 U.S. adults interviewed online from May 22-27, 2025. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2024 election turnout and presidential vote, party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Party identification is weighted to the estimated distribution at the time of the election (31% Democratic, 32% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGov's opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.9%. Solve the daily Crossword
