Weddings are important milestones for many Canadian couples.
Many couples plan this event for not just months but years, as the average wedding in Canada costs around $30,000.
In this article, we’ll break down the average costs of weddings in Canada along with tips to cut your expenses for this event.
Key Takeaways
- The average wedding cost in Canada is $30,000. However, in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, expect to pay at least $10,000 more than that.
- On average, wedding dresses cost $2,000, but renting bridalwear can be as cheap as $100.
- Some of the best ways to cut costs for your wedding are to limit the number of guests and rent dresses instead of buying them.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Wedding In Canada?
The average cost of a wedding in Canada is approximately $30,000.
This value is based on a collaborative study made by Wedding Wire, The Knot, and Bodas.net in 2019.
Despite the data being a couple of years old already, it still arguably better represents the cost of weddings now that social restrictions have loosened, compared to the data collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Average Cost Per Person For A Wedding
According to the same report I mentioned earlier, the $30,000 average wedding cost catered to about 154 guests in Canada. Based on that, it’s safe to say that the average cost per person for a wedding is nearly $190.
What Is The Average Wedding Venue Cost In Canada?
The wedding venue usually takes up a huge chunk of the wedding budget, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
Indoor settings like hotels and convention centers tend to be on the higher end of the price range for wedding venues. On the other hand, outdoor venues, like farms or plots of land, are more affordable.
Where you live in Canada also heavily influences the rental fee of venues. As a rule of thumb, if you live in the most expensive places in Canada, you should also expect your venue rental to be higher than other cities in the country.
What Is The Average Wedding Dress Cost In Canada?
The average wedding dress cost in Canada varies greatly. Depending on whether you plan to rent or buy, it can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Additionally, the final cost will also depend on the quality of the dress you are aiming for.
If you’re planning to buy your wedding dress, be prepared to pay an average of $2,000 for the complete set, including accessories and veils.
However, when renting, one will have plenty of wedding dress choices on a smaller budget, with prices starting from $100 and going up to $2,000.
Average Cost Of A Wedding In Ontario
Based on the data acquired by multiple wedding photographers and planners in Toronto, the average wedding cost in Ontario is about $40,000 for 120 guests.
That’s quite a leap from the average wedding cost in Canada. However, considering that Ontario is one of the most expensive provinces to live in in the country, this value isn’t really surprising.
Average Wedding Cost In Vancouver
According to DreamGroup, a reputable wedding planner in British Columbia, the average wedding cost in Vancouver is over $50,000.
This amount covers approximately 120 guests, including the tax and average gratuities of the wedding preparation.
How To Cut Costs For Your Wedding
Wedding events are everything else but cheap. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t save money while successfully proclaiming your vows.
So, here are several ways to cut costs for your wedding date:
Hold the event during winter: It’s usually cheaper to hold a wedding during the colder months (November to March), as most Canadian couples prefer to get wed when the weather’s warmer.
Don’t be afraid to DIY: While wedding coordinators can take a lot of pressure off your plate, they’re not exactly the most budget-friendly addition to the event. Hence, prepare for the wedding without professional help as much as you can.
Consider renting: Custom and new dresses can easily cost thousands of dollars. On the flip side, renting bridalwear with just as good of a quality will only cost you hundreds.
Limit the guests: On average, it costs $190 to accommodate each person at your wedding. So, as hard as this may sound, consider limiting the number of your wedding guests.
Beware of hidden fees: When venues give you a quotation, it’s not always an all-inclusive price. For example, some event halls charge separate fees for renting chairs and tables. That said, it’s important always to double-check what’s included in the price you pay.
Is A Big Wedding Worth It?
Weddings are intimate, personal events. Hence, despite the significant financial responsibilities associated with them, many couples are more than happy to invest in big weddings.
Of course, though, it varies from couple to couple. If you think holding a big wedding will give you fulfillment and happiness worth spending thousands of dollars for, there’s nothing wrong with holding this big event to mark your relationship’s milestone.
FAQs
A realistic budget for a wedding is at least $30,000. With this budget, you can comfortably plan your wedding without compromising the quality or quantity of many aspects of the event.
Unfortunately, $5,000 isn’t a good budget for a wedding in Canada. While it’s possible to hold a wedding with this money, you’ll have very limited options, especially regarding your venue and the number of guests.
The average wedding cost for 50 guests in Canada is about $15,000. After all, it currently costs over $300 to accommodate each guest in a wedding.
The average price per plate for a wedding in Toronto is usually around half of your budget per person. That’s approximately $165 per plate, with little variation depending on the specific wedding and catering services you choose.
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