Average Wedding Costs by Province
| Province |
Average Cost |
| Ontario (GTA) |
$50,000-$70,000 |
| Ontario (outside GTA) |
$35,000-$50,000 |
| BC (Metro Vancouver) |
$45,000-$65,000 |
| BC (other) |
$30,000-$45,000 |
| Alberta |
$30,000-$45,000 |
| Quebec |
$25,000-$40,000 |
| Atlantic Provinces |
$25,000-$35,000 |
| Prairies |
$25,000-$35,000 |
| Canadian Average |
$30,000-$45,000 |
Budget Breakdown by Category
Typical Percentage Allocation
| Category |
% of Budget |
At $40,000 |
| Venue |
25-30% |
$10,000-$12,000 |
| Catering/bar |
20-25% |
$8,000-$10,000 |
| Photography/video |
10-12% |
$4,000-$4,800 |
| Music/entertainment |
8-10% |
$3,200-$4,000 |
| Flowers/decor |
8-10% |
$3,200-$4,000 |
| Attire |
5-8% |
$2,000-$3,200 |
| Officiant |
1-2% |
$400-$800 |
| Invitations |
2-3% |
$800-$1,200 |
| Hair/makeup |
2-3% |
$800-$1,200 |
| Transportation |
2-3% |
$800-$1,200 |
| Favors/gifts |
1-2% |
$400-$800 |
| Miscellaneous |
5-8% |
$2,000-$3,200 |
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Venue
| Venue Type |
Cost Range |
| Backyard/free venue |
$0-$500 |
| Community hall |
$500-$2,000 |
| Restaurant (private room) |
$1,000-$5,000 |
| Winery/brewery |
$3,000-$10,000 |
| Hotel ballroom |
$5,000-$15,000 |
| Estate/mansion |
$8,000-$25,000 |
| Luxury resort |
$15,000-$40,000 |
Many venues include catering in their packages.
Catering and Food
| Service Style |
Per Person |
| Buffet |
$50-$100 |
| Plated dinner |
$80-$150 |
| Family style |
$70-$120 |
| Food stations |
$60-$110 |
| Food trucks |
$25-$50 |
| Appetizers only |
$30-$60 |
| 100 Guest Example |
Cost |
| Budget buffet |
$5,000-$8,000 |
| Mid-range plated |
$10,000-$15,000 |
| Premium |
$15,000-$25,000 |
Bar and Drinks
| Option |
Cost |
| Cash bar |
$0 |
| Beer/wine only |
$25-$40/person |
| Open bar (basic) |
$40-$60/person |
| Open bar (premium) |
$60-$100/person |
| Signature cocktails |
$8-$15 each |
| 100 Guests |
Total |
| Cash bar |
$0 |
| Beer/wine only |
$2,500-$4,000 |
| Open bar |
$4,000-$10,000 |
Photography and Videography
| Service |
Cost |
| Amateur/friend |
$0-$500 |
| Student photographer |
$500-$1,500 |
| Professional photography |
$2,500-$5,000 |
| Premium photographer |
$5,000-$10,000+ |
| Videographer |
$2,000-$5,000 |
| Photo booth |
$500-$1,500 |
Music and Entertainment
| Option |
Cost |
| DIY playlist/Spotify |
$0-$100 |
| Amateur DJ |
$500-$1,000 |
| Professional DJ |
$1,200-$3,000 |
| Live band (3-5 piece) |
$3,000-$8,000 |
| Premium band |
$8,000-$20,000 |
| Ceremony musicians |
$300-$1,000 |
Flowers and Decor
| Item |
Budget |
Mid-Range |
Premium |
| Bridal bouquet |
$100 |
$250 |
$500+ |
| Bridesmaids (each) |
$50 |
$100 |
$200 |
| Boutonnieres (each) |
$15 |
$30 |
$50 |
| Centerpieces (each) |
$50 |
$150 |
$300+ |
| Ceremony flowers |
$200 |
$800 |
$2,000+ |
| Total (10 tables) |
$1,000 |
$3,000 |
$7,000+ |
Wedding Attire
| Item |
Budget |
Mid-Range |
Premium |
| Wedding dress |
$500 |
$2,500 |
$7,000+ |
| Alterations |
$200 |
$500 |
$1,000 |
| Veil/accessories |
$100 |
$400 |
$1,000 |
| Shoes |
$50 |
$200 |
$500 |
| Suit/tuxedo |
$200 |
$800 |
$2,000+ |
| Total attire |
$1,050 |
$4,400 |
$11,500+ |
Stationery and Invitations
| Item |
Budget |
Mid-Range |
Premium |
| Save the dates |
$50 |
$200 |
$500 |
| Invitations (100) |
$150 |
$500 |
$1,500 |
| Programs |
$50 |
$150 |
$400 |
| Menu cards |
$30 |
$100 |
$300 |
| Thank you cards |
$50 |
$150 |
$400 |
| Total |
$330 |
$1,100 |
$3,100 |
Hair and Makeup
| Service |
Cost |
| Bride hair |
$150-$400 |
| Bride makeup |
$150-$400 |
| Bridesmaids (each) |
$100-$250 |
| Trial session |
$100-$200 |
| Touch-ups |
$50-$150 |
Wedding Rings
| Ring Type |
Cost Range |
| Simple band |
$200-$500 |
| Mid-range |
$500-$1,500 |
| Designer/custom |
$1,500-$5,000+ |
| Matching set |
$800-$4,000 |
Officiant
| Type |
Cost |
| Religious leader |
$0-$500 |
| Civil officiant |
$300-$600 |
| Independent officiant |
$400-$1,000 |
| Destination officiant |
$500-$1,500 |
Additional Costs Often Forgotten
| Item |
Cost |
| Wedding insurance |
$150-$400 |
| Tips (vendors) |
$500-$2,000 |
| Hotel room (wedding night) |
$200-$800 |
| Guest transportation |
$500-$2,000 |
| Marriage license |
$75-$150 |
| Rehearsal dinner |
$1,000-$5,000 |
| Day-of emergency kit |
$100-$300 |
| Welcome bags |
$500-$1,500 |
Budget Wedding Strategies
Biggest Money Savers
| Strategy |
Savings |
| Off-season (Nov-Mar) |
20-40% |
| Friday or Sunday |
20-30% |
| Brunch/lunch reception |
30-50% |
| Smaller guest list |
$200-$400/person |
| Non-traditional venue |
50%+ |
| Skip the wedding party |
$500-$2,000 |
| DIY decorations |
$1,000-$3,000 |
Budget Wedding (Under $15,000)
| Category |
Budget |
| Venue (backyard/community) |
$500 |
| Catering (BBQ/potluck) |
$2,000 |
| Photography (student) |
$1,000 |
| DJ (friend/playlist) |
$200 |
| Dress (consignment) |
$500 |
| Suit (owned/rented) |
$200 |
| Flowers (DIY) |
$500 |
| Rings |
$800 |
| Officiant |
$400 |
| Invitations (digital) |
$100 |
| Decor |
$300 |
| Misc/buffer |
$1,500 |
| Total |
$8,000 |
How to Pay for a Wedding
Funding Sources
| Source |
Notes |
| Savings |
Best β no debt |
| Parents |
Still common (communicate) |
| Low-interest loan |
Avoid if possible |
| Credit cards |
Last resort (high interest) |
| Wedding loan |
Better than credit cards |
How Long to Save
| Budget |
Monthly ($500) |
Monthly ($1,000) |
| $15,000 |
30 months |
15 months |
| $30,000 |
60 months |
30 months |
| $45,000 |
90 months |
45 months |
Tip: 12-18 month engagement allows saving time.