According to JJ House’s report on wedding costs and challenges across America, New Jersey ranks as the most difficult state to have a wedding in. JJ’s House, a wedding retailer. examined all 50 states to identify where getting married is the most complicated.

New Jersey is the hardest state to get married in, with the average wedding cost over $54,000. The entire Northeast corridor makes wedding planning difficult, as New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Pennsylvania all rank in the top five hardest states.

Some of New Jersey’s most popular wedding venues include Park Chateau Estate & Gardens, Mallard Island Yacht Club, Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury, The Park Savoy Estate, and Renault Winery.

Wisconsin couples must wait six days for a marriage license, the longest waiting period in the nation, and double what most states require. Wisconsin is widely known for a wide range of wedding venues, such as Greenhouse No. 7, Turner Hall, Vennebu Hall, The Enchanted Barn, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Camp Dewan, and Bella Vista Suites.

JJ’s House examined the states using six factors that affect how easy or hard it is to get married. The study looked at average wedding costs, the number of venues available per 100,000 people, marriage license fees, how many days couples must wait after applying for their marriage license, how long the marriage license stays valid, and the minimum age to marry without parental permission. Each state received a Marriage Difficulty Index score from 0 to 100, showing where getting married is the most complicated.

New Jersey ranked in first place. The average wedding cost is $54,000. There are 139 wedding venues, which equate to 1.44 per 100,000 residents. The marriage license fee is $28, with a three-day waiting period. The marriage license expires in 30 days. Overall, New Jersey’s Marriage Difficulty Index is 81.3.

New Jersey is America's hardest state for getting married. The average wedding cost, $54,000, is nearly twice the national average and about $7,000 more than in New York. New Jersey’s 139 wedding venues equate to less than two venues per 100,000 residents, the lowest availability in America. About 45,000 weddings take place in New Jersey annually, but with few wedding venue options, couples face competition when booking their preferred venue.

New York ranked in second place. The average wedding cost, $48,000, is still well above what most Americans pay. New York’s 460 wedding venues are available to nearly 20 million residents. With more than 116,000 couples getting married in the Empire State annually, this creates a high demand for fewer venues. The marriage license fee is $40, and couples must wait one day before receiving their papers, which remain valid for 60 days.

Some of New York’s most popular wedding venues include The Foundry, The Bowery Hotel, The New York Public Library, The Glasshouses, and The Rainbow Room. For couples looking to avoid New York City’s hustle and bustle, there’s a variety of venues on Long Island, such as the Peconic Bay Yacht Club, The Piermont, NYIT de Seversky Museum, Swan Club on the Harbor, Crescent Beach Club, Watermill Caterers, Flowerfield, and Windows On The Lake.

Massachusetts ranked in third place. Couples must budget around $45,000 for their weddings. The Bay State offers 220 venues for 7.2 million residents, a slightly better rate than New York but still below the national rate. Marriage license fees range from $30 to $50, depending on the county, and come with a three-day waiting period. Marriage licenses remain valid for 60 days, like in New York.

Some of Massachusetts’ most popular wedding venues include the Hotel Commonwealth in Boston, The Bradley Estate in Canton, Lakeview Pavilion in Foxborough, Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, and Groveway Fairways by Wedgewood Weddings in Groveland. For couples looking for unique options, there’s The Meadows at Red Ridge Farm in Salisbury, Camp Wing in Duxbury, and Cross Street Flower Farm in Norwell.

Maryland ranked fourth place. The average wedding cost is $39,000, and in the upper tier nationwide. The Terrapin State’s 119 wedding venues equate to less than two venues per 100,000 residents, which is one of the lowest rates in America. Maryland's marriage license fee is $35, with a two-day waiting period.

Some of Maryland’s most popular wedding venues include The Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore, Celebrations at the Bay in Pasadena, Linganore Winecellars in Mount Airy, Valley Country Club in Towson, and The Oaks Waterfront Inn in Chesapeake Bay.

Pennsylvania rounded out the top five hardest states to plan a wedding. Couples should save about $35,000 for their ceremonies and book a wedding venue in advance, as the Keystone State has few options for wedding venues. Marriage license costs vary by location, with average fees around $60, but up to $90 in Philadelphia and Allegheny County, respectively. Couples must wait three days after applying for their marriage license, which expires after 60 days.

Some of Pennsylvania’s most popular wedding venues include the Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster, Morris Arboretum & Gardens in Philadelphia, Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, The Farm at Eagles Ridge in Lancaster, and Historic Ashland in Wrightsville.

A JJ’s House spokesperson said, "Wedding costs have jumped over the past decade. What used to cost $20,000 ten years ago now runs closer to $40,000 or more in many states. There is an increased interest among Americans in having weddings overseas. Italy and Mexico were some of the top picks, and these destinations are often cheaper than having a wedding in the USA.”