A new report from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has found that same-sex couples and their wedding guests have pumped nearly $5.9 billion into the U.S. economy since the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized marriage equality nationwide. Since Obergefell v. Hodges, more than 591,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot—about 80 percent of them celebrating with weddings or other events.
At an average of $8,546 per wedding, that adds up to $4.9 billion in spending. And with more than 7.6 million guests traveling from out-of-state, another $1 billion has been added through tourism-related boosts. Christy Mallory, lead author and Interim Executive Director of the Williams Institute, said: “Marriage equality has had a significant impact on the lives and well-being of same-sex couples in the U.S…Additionally, it has offered a substantial financial benefit to businesses as well as state and local governments.”That impact has been widely felt, with the South surprisingly accounting for the largest share—$2.3 billion in wedding-related spending.
The West saw $1.7 billion, the Midwest around $1 billion, and the Northeast about $900 million. The report also found that this spending generated an estimated $432 million in state and local sales taxes—enough to support over 41,000 jobs for one year. Despite these economic gains, nine states have introduced nonbinding resolutions calling on the Supreme Court to revisit Obergefell.
Though the Court hasn’t acted, Justice Clarence Thomas previously called for the reconsideration of marriage equality in a concurring opinion. Even if Obergefell were overturned, same-sex marriages would still be recognized federally under the Respect for Marriage Act, signed by President Biden in 2022. However, the law does not require states to perform them. With billions in spending, thousands of jobs supported, and millions of lives impacted, one thing is clear: marriage equality isn’t just about love — it’s also good for the economy.
