What does the average wedding cost? How to plan your day

Getting married is all fun and romance—said no bride-to-be ever. Planning a wedding requires some serious discipline and great budgeting skills. Spending time realistically estimating costs ahead of time can save you from last-minute stress as you get closer to walking down the aisle. So, if you’re keen to find out what the average wedding cost really looks like, take a look at our cost breakdown and follow our simple tips for staying within your wedding budget. 

Twenty years ago, most weddings followed a standard template but these days the big day often ranges from sophisticated stately homes to festival-themed outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re ready to splash the cash or you’d prefer a budget-friendly, yet memorable ceremony, you’ll need to go through the same planning process. 

So, we know the average wedding cost will vary depending on where you get married. However, doing some quick research on what are traditionally the most expensive wedding elements should give you a rough idea of the biggest costs involved. 

The five priciest components of a wedding can make up the vast majority of total costs. So, regardless of the level of extravagance you’re going for, start by researching these expenses. Here are some examples of how these top 5 costs can be budgeted according to very different budgets:

Once you have these covered off, consider other, smaller expenses:

• Transportation
• Event/wedding planner 
• Videographer 
• Officiant 
• Wedding rings
• Hair & makeup
• Wedding cake 
• Invitations 
• Wedding website
• Rehearsal dinner 

Now we’ve looked at the most common wedding costs, let’s review some in more detail.  

What’s your wedding vibe? Before you even begin looking at venues, it’s best to map out your vision for the perfect day. Knowing whether you want to tie the knot on a tropical beach or in a candlelit barn in your hometown will help you narrow down your options and estimate the costs more accurately.  

Reception venue costs: Rather than a single lump-sum of money, the reception venue cost is usually a combination of various above-average expenses. So, unless you’re going for a package deal from your chosen venue, it’s a important to consider the following:

• Catered food: expect to pay between €90 and €150 per person. This can sometimes include 2-3 hours of open bar.  
• Bar bill: one of the most expensive parts of any wedding depending on your crowd. The bar bill could be agreed as a package costing anywhere from €30 to €80 per person depending on whether you intend to cover the first few drinks, or the entire party.
• Venue rental: the average cost of a wedding venue is in the ballpark of €14,500, depending on where you want to utter the magical ‘I do’! The cost of some venues includes catering and drinks.
• Equipment rentals: on top of the venue cost, you may need to rent additional chairs, tables, speakers, lights or other extras to accommodate all of your guests and your party plans. This typically equates to around €2,000.

Transportation costs: If you’re eyeing a local venue, the good news is that you may not have any transportation costs! But for those thinking about a destination wedding, it’s important to decide as soon as possible whether you plan on paying for your guests' flight costs. If you’re having an intimate affair with a party of 10, this could be doable, but if you’re inviting 80 friends and family to your beachfront wedding you’ll need to put thousands aside—if not tens of thousands.

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Once you lock in your primary expenses, there will still be plenty of important decisions to make about the smaller details. Think: DJ, wedding cake, flowers, invitations, favors and other extras that might add that wow factor to your party (hello personalised flip-flops). So, how much should you spend on those smaller ticket items? Let’s look how different budgets can cover these costs:

It’s good to know that more than 50% of those who got married in the past 10 years think that splashing out on the bride’s dress, the wedding cake and photography were items worth spending on. Let’s estimate how much it will cost you to look your best on your wedding day…

• A wedding dress typically costs around €2000
• The groom’s attire typically costs €800
• The bride’s hair & makeup will cost around €200, depending on the stylist’s experience

In total, the average cost of the wedding attire hovers around the €3,000 mark.  

Feeling dizzy yet? Don’t worry—while the costs are adding up quickly, there are ways to save without compromising on your dreams. Here are some tips from experienced wedding planners. 

1. Revisit the guest list. There, we said it. You can quickly drive your wedding costs down by trimming the guest list, as the headcount affects expenses across the board, from invitations, to food and drink, to venue costs. Cutting your guest list by 10–20 people could save you as much as $1000.
2. Off-peak wedding, anyone? A warm summer wedding sounds lovely—but it costs handsomely. Opting for a less popular wedding season, such as winter, could help you save on ceremony venues, photographers, reception halls, and many other expenses.
3. Ask a friend. A great way to save on wedding costs is by calling in favors from friends. Rather than hiring a professional at a premium rate, you could ask talented friends (or friends of friends) to help out with things like the invitation design, flower arrangements or your wedding website. Every little bit helps! 

Now you’re aware of how much things cost, arm yourself with the tools to track your budget. Read more on how spreadsheets can transform your wedding budgeting here. 

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Let’s face it—saving for a wedding can be a big strain for most newly engaged couples. And while it may seem like a huge (and daunting) project, it really doesn’t have to be. With N26 Smart, you can take control of your spending and saving, keeping your wedding budget on track with free Spaces sub-accounts. With up to 10 Spaces, you could have a space for each of the big costs. 

Keep focused by setting savings goals for each space, and set Rules to automatically transfer funds from your main account instantly or at regular intervals. Better still, you can create Shared Spaces to save together with your spouse-to-be for the wedding or to buy a house and keep track of your progress.