Same-sex Weddings Boost U.S. State Economies by $3.8 Billion Since Marriage Equality Ruling

Author: The Williams Institute
Published: 28th May 2020 - Updated: 7th Jan 2026
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Gay Marriage Publications

Summary: Same-sex wedding spending by 293,000 couples and their out-of-state guests has boosted U.S. state and local economies by an estimated $3.8 billion.

Main Document

More than half of all married same-sex couples in the United States married after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which extended marriage equality nationwide in June 2015.

Wedding spending by these 293,000 couples and their out-of-state guests has boosted state and local economies by an estimated $3.8 billion, according to a new analysis by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law.

The Williams Institute

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, a think tank on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy, is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research with real-world relevance.

Same-sex wedding spending also generated an estimated $244 million in state and local sales tax revenue and supported an estimated 45,000 jobs for one full year.

"Marriage equality has changed the lives of same-sex couples and their families," said lead author Christy Mallory, the state and local policy director at the Williams Institute.

"It has also provided a sizeable benefit to business and state and local governments."

Key Findings

There are an estimated 513,000 same-sex couples in the U.S.
22% of married same-sex couples are raising children
293,000 same-sex couples have married since the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in June 2015, spending a total of $3.2 billion on their weddings.
Wedding guests from out of state have generated an additional $543.8 million in spending.
Same-sex couples' weddings generated an estimated $244.1 million in state and local taxes.
Approximately 45,000 jobs were supported for a full year by same-sex couples' weddings in the past five years.

Latest Gay Marriage Publications

The above information is from our Gay Marriage Publications that includes:

After Marriage Equality Ruling LGBT Emotional Well-being Improved - U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which extended marriage equality nationwide in June 2015, had positive impact on happiness and life satisfaction of LGBT people.

Same-sex Weddings Boost U.S. State Economies by $3.8 Billion Since Marriage Equality Ruling - Same-sex wedding spending by 293,000 couples and their out-of-state guests has boosted U.S. state and local economies by an estimated $3.8 billion.

96,000 Same-sex Couples Married Since U.S. Supreme Court Decision - Same-sex American couples who have tied the knot account for 11 percent of all summer weddings.

Marriage Equality - Proposed Rule Change by Treasury Department - Proposed regulations further clarify federal tax code relating to marriage to be inclusive of same-sex spouses.