Are wedding bells in your future? If so, congratulations! Marriage is an important milestone in many people’s lives, and the Interior Savings team is always happy to celebrate your happiness and plans for the future. If you’ve recently gotten engaged, you may be wondering how much a wedding in Canada actually costs these days. The answer is a bit complicated—after all, there are an incredible number of variables to consider—but we’ve put together some high level guidance to help you.
For personalized advice on planning for a large expense such as a wedding, or to update your financial plan to reflect an exciting milestone, please contact us. An Interior Savings advisor would be happy to discuss your evolving needs and revisit your financial plan to ensure it’s still the right fit.
The cost of a wedding in Canada—and how to save money
According to a 2023 report in MoneySense, the average wedding in Canada now costs between $22,000 and $30,000. You can spend a lot less by having a small, simple wedding, or a lot more if you want a huge party with all of the bells and whistles. There are a few straightforward ways to keep the cost of a wedding down—keeping the guest list small, for example—and some less obvious savings tips to consider. Here are a few:
- Look for a wedding vendor that offers lower space rental fees during certain times of the year. Summer and early fall are in-demand seasons, and a winter wedding may cost less simply because the venue isn’t in high demand. If you’re having a small, more casual wedding, a weeknight event may also help you save a significant amount of money.
- Make a list of everything a typical wedding has, then identify anything you don’t care about: professional engagement photos, paper invitations, hiring a limo to take you to the church or wedding venue, buying expensive party favours, etc. If certain traditions aren’t important to you, you can simply eliminate these costs. For example: if you’re serving dessert after dinner at your reception, you may want to forgo a traditional tiered wedding cake—they’re pricey, but they’re also optional!
- Next, identify things you do care about and consider how you can include them without breaking the bank. For example, if you have your heart set on a specific wedding dress designer, keep an eye out for sales or look for secondhand options. You may be able to get a gorgeous dress at a much lower price because it was worn once or is from a previous season.
- Speak to your vendors about your budget and ask them for advice. Your florist will know which flowers are in season (and therefore, less expensive), and your caterer may be able to make recommendations to help you stay on budget. Your wedding venue manager may have great suggestions—people in these roles are essentially wedding experts and oftentimes, they’re quite helpful.
Understanding needs vs wants
As we mentioned earlier, a wedding can cost as much or as little as you choose—it’s a matter of separating your needs from your wants and making decisions that reflect your personal preferences and budget. Here’s what’s actually necessary to get married in Canada:
- A wedding licence (currently $100 in British Columbia)
- An officiant to perform the ceremony (often a minister or judge, prices vary)
You may notice that this short list doesn’t include flowers, rings, a reception or other typical wedding costs—so realistically, unless you’ve chosen to elope, you’re going to have a lot more costs than this. Here are some additional costs to consider when planning a wedding:
- A venue, transportation and hotel (if not staying in your own home)
- Bouquets, floral arrangements, tablecloth rentals and other decor
- Food and drinks (often including alcoholic beverages)
- Entertainment (often a band or DJ)
- Formalwear and wedding rings
- Rehearsal dinner costs
- Professional makeup and hairstyling
- Gifts for the wedding party
These costs vary by location and other factors, and it’s important to remember that unexpected expenses often add to a wedding budget. There’s also the cost of a honeymoon to consider, if you plan on taking one. This typically adds around $5000 to the cost of your wedding, though you can choose less expensive (or more expensive) travel options. It all depends on whether you’re booking a weekend in wine country, an all-inclusive resort or 10 day safari in South Africa—like a wedding, the cost is extremely variable but within your control. Price out a few options, review your budget, then plan!
Saving for a wedding vs a down payment
With the rising cost of housing—particularly here in BC—many young couples are hesitant to spend a large sum of money on a wedding when they could be using those funds towards a down payment on their first home. If this dilemma is on your mind, please reach out to our team. We’d be glad to discuss your specific needs, goals and financial situation in order to provide personalized advice. Remember, it’s not necessarily one thing or the other—you can have a beautiful wedding and still save for a house!—but there are elements to consider when allocating funds towards either of these goals. For example: your preferred size and style of wedding, your timeline and housing goals, family contributions (either to your wedding or a down payment), and what you currently have in savings.
It’s also worth mentioning that you may receive cash gifts from your wedding guests. While this money is hypothetical and cannot be counted in advance, it’s still something to consider—if you receive a significant amount in wedding gifts, you may be able to put extra funds towards the cost of your wedding or honeymoon (even towards that down payment on your first home).
Contact us for personalized advice
Whether you’re making important financial decisions on your own or with a partner, Interior Savings is here to offer expert guidance and advice that reflects your needs and goals. Please contact us to learn more or book a meeting with an advisor in your area. We’d be glad to hear from you and look forward to discussing your exciting future.