How To Avoid Wedding Scams In Northern Illinois

In 2026, the average cost of a wedding in Illinois is estimated to be between $32,000 and $48,000. According to some quick research, prices fluctuate quite a bit based on location, with a Chicago wedding often costing $50,000 or more, while ceremonies in other areas like Rockford typically ranging from $20,000 to $30,000.

Regardless of your location, no one wants to see a penny of that expense wind up in the pocket of a scammer. Between choosing a venue, booking vendors, planning a reception, and arranging a honeymoon, there are thousands of dollars involved.

Now, the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning engaged couples in northern Illinois that scammers are increasingly targeting weddings, and they’re hoping couples are too busy to notice the warning signs.

The alert comes as wedding expo season ramps up across the region. According to the BBB, fraudsters are posing as legitimate wedding vendors and using online scams to steal money or personal information from couples who are trying to plan their big day.

Getty Images

Couples Have Paid Upfront For Services That Never Showed Up On Their Big Day

Others have reported counterfeit designer wedding attire, fake airline tickets for honeymoons, and even bogus wedding websites designed to steal financial information.

Dennis Horton, Senior Director of the Rockford BBB:

With so many decisions involved in planning a wedding, from venues and catering to travel, entertainment, and more, it’s almost inevitable that couples will encounter fraudulent offers along the way. Dishonest operators are counting on couples being overwhelmed and distracted, hoping they won’t take the time to spot warning signs before it’s too late.

Getty Images

Scammers Go Where The Money Is, And There Is Big Money In Weddings

As I mentioned earlier, the average wedding in Illinois is expected to cost around $36,000. In Illinois, and weddings typically range between $32,000 and $48,000. In Chicago, a 150-guest wedding averages about $80,000, and many celebrations can easily climb to $100,000 once extras like rehearsal dinners and honeymoons are included.

That kind of money makes weddings an attractive target for scammers.

One growing concern involves fake wedding invitations or messages sent through apps like WhatsApp. Clicking a link in one of these messages could install malware on a phone, potentially giving criminals access to personal or financial information.

Dennis Horton:

The BBB recommends doing careful research before hiring vendors. Couples should check independent reviews, verify that businesses have a physical address and phone number, and avoid paying large fees upfront. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The bottom line: planning a wedding already comes with enough stress. Taking a little extra time to verify vendors and offers could help ensure the only surprises on the big day are the good ones.