This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada, which closed in 2021.

Wedding Cost: Wedding Prices In Canada Continue To Rise In 2013

How Much Is A Wedding Worth?
young loving couple on tropical ...
Shutterstock
young loving couple on tropical ...

Despite all the lamenting about the ridiculous cost of throwing a big wedding — one where you probably won’t even remember to eat or say hello to your uncle Stan — it’s not getting any cheaper. In fact, the price of tying the knot in Canada has gone up 8 per cent from last year.

To help put that in perspective, inflation of overall consumer goods and services in Canada is growing at well under 2 per cent.

The average cost of a wedding in Canada in 2013 so far is $32,358, according to a recent survey by Weddingbells magazine, which surveyed 2,200 brides and brides-to-be from January to March.

The figure includes the honeymoon, and all in all, it adds up to an estimated national expense of a whopping $5.3 billion dollars.

So why is it so expensive?

“Brides are throwing away the rule book and doing things their way. Around half of respondents are opting for a less traditional wedding in favour of creating a unique party and experience for their guests,” Alison McGill, Weddingbells’ editor in chief, said in a statement.

The Weddingbells Annual Reader Survey also found that with a majority of brides working full-time, many look for help coordinating the big day. Hiring a wedding planner was up 30 per cent amongst couples who were married in 2012.

Story continues below. HIghlights from the survey:

Number of Weddings In 2013

Weddingbells 2013 Trends Report

So, if you’re paying for your own wedding as many couples are these days, is it responsible to spend tens of thousands of dollars in savings or spend the first few years of your married life in debt?

When you consider that the cost of a big do is about half of the median Canadian household income, which is around $65,000, it’s not surprising that brides and grooms to be get sticker shock.

But if you subscribe to the belief that “major life events are major life events” as the Atlantic argues, then maybe there’s really nothing wrong with having the wedding of your dreams, or something remotely close to it. You only get married once, right? Well, hopefully.

If you’re looking to buck the ballooning trend, you there are lots of tips out there on how to save, including an ingenious business idea by Bridal Brokerage that buys and sells called-off weddings.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Canada. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.