Wedding budgets - what's the real cost?
So, you're planning a wedding in Ireland? Congratulations! It’s an incredibly exciting time, but let's face it, one of the first big questions (right after "Will you marry me?") is usually "How much is this going to cost?!" Getting a handle on the budget is crucial, especially as costs seem to be constantly on the rise.
To give you a realistic picture, we've dived into the latest figures, drawing heavily on reliable Irish wedding industry surveys (like the big annual one from weddingsonline.ie, which gets insights from hundreds of real couples) and official stats where we can find them. We're looking at the trends for 2024 and 2025, comparing them back to 2022 and 2023 to see how things have changed. We'll cover everything from the average total spend and where that money goes, to who's getting married and how they're choosing to celebrate.
Prepare for a bit of sticker shock. The average amount couples are spending on their big day in Ireland has taken a significant jump…
Average Wedding Budget (2022–2025)
The average wedding cost rose significantly from approximately €26,900 in 2022 to €34,392 by 2025, reflecting inflation and increasing guest numbers post-pandemic. Over half of couples exceeded their initial budget by at least €5,000.
Why the steep climb? It's likely a combination of factors. General inflation is hitting everything from catering to flowers, suppliers have faced increased costs, and after years of pandemic restrictions, some couples might be opting for slightly larger guest lists or adding extras they might have skipped before.
Crucial Reality Check: Perhaps the most telling statistic is that more than half of couples admit they ended up spending at least €5,000 more than they originally budgeted. This is a vital piece of info – definitely build a buffer into your own budget!
Where Does All That Money Go? A Typical Irish Wedding Budget Breakdown
Okay, €34k+ is a lot. But where does it actually get spent? Here’s a rough guide based on averages (remember, your priorities might shift these numbers):
The Venue & Feast (The Biggest Slice): This is nearly always the largest expense, often eating up close to half the entire budget. Think €14,000 - €15,000 on average. This usually covers the hire of the space, the meal itself, drinks packages, and sometimes service charges.
Looking the Part (Attire):
The Dress: Brides typically budget around €2,000 for their wedding dress, though this can vary massively depending on designer, boutique, or off-the-rack choices. Alterations often add extra cost.
The Suits: Grooms and their party usually spend between €300 - €700 per suit, depending heavily on whether they hire or buy.
Capturing Every Moment (Photographer & Videographer): These are investments in memories!
Photography: Expect to pay around €2,200 for a professional photographer for the day.
Videography: Adding a videographer often costs roughly €2,000. Many couples now see this as essential, not just a 'nice-to-have'.
Getting the Party Started (Entertainment): Keeping guests entertained is key.
Band: A good wedding band typically costs between €2,500 - €2,700.
DJ: To keep the party going after the band, a DJ usually adds around €700.
Combined: So, budget around €3,000+ for your main music. Ceremony music might be extra.
The Rings (Symbols of Forever):
Engagement Ring: This varies wildly, but surveys suggest an average spend around €3,000.
Wedding Bands: For both rings together, couples spend about €1,500 - €1,700 on average.
Setting the Scene (Flowers & Décor):
Flowers: Bridal bouquets, buttonholes, ceremony flowers, and table centrepieces average around €1,000.
Extra Décor: Things like fairy lights, chair sashes, signage, and other venue styling touches can add another €1,200 or so.
The Finishing Touches (They All Add Up!): Don't forget these often-underestimated costs:
Wedding Planner: If you hire one (full or partial planning), expect around €1,800 - €2,000.
The Cake: A beautiful (and tasty) wedding cake typically costs €350 - €480.
Stationery: Invites, save-the-dates, menus, table plans etc., usually come in around €250 - €300, but can be much higher for custom designs.
Hair & Makeup: Professional styling for the bride (and often bridal party) usually runs to several hundred euros, depending on numbers and trial runs.
A Snapshot of Today's Irish Couples: Who's Getting Married & How?
Beyond the budget, what do modern Irish weddings look like?
Age & Engagement Length: Couples are generally waiting a bit longer to tie the knot. The average bride is now around 32-33, and the average groom is 33-35. Correspondingly, longer engagements are becoming the norm, with many couples engaged for over two years before the wedding day. This might reflect career focus, saving time needed, or simply a longer 'courting' period.
Popular Wedding Spots: While Dublin weddings happen, the real hotspots tend to be counties known for stunning scenery and beautiful venues. Meath, Cork, Kerry, Cavan, and Kildare consistently top the list. There's a clear preference for country house hotels, castles, or unique rural venues that offer a bit of an escape and beautiful backdrops, often favouring these over city-centre hotels.
Paying for the Big Day: Funding the wedding is often a team effort, or requires significant planning. The most common approaches are:
Personal Savings: The bedrock for most couples.
Family Contributions: Around one-third of couples receive some financial help from parents or family.
Loans: Reflecting the high costs, over one-third of couples take out loans (e.g., credit union loans) specifically for the wedding.
Ceremony Styles: There's a marked shift happening in how couples choose to make it official.
Decline in Religious Ceremonies: While still popular, traditional religious ceremonies have seen a notable drop, down from representing 55% of weddings in 2022 to a projected 36% by 2025.
Rise of Civil & Humanist Ceremonies: These options are rapidly gaining ground, offering couples more flexibility and personalisation in their vows and ceremony structure.
Timing is Everything: Predictably, Fridays and Saturdays remain the overwhelmingly popular days to get married, maximizing guest availability. The summer months – July, August, and September – are peak wedding season, hoping for the best of the Irish weather!
Getting married in Ireland in 2025 is undoubtedly a significant financial commitment, with average costs pushing well into the €30,000s. Couples are navigating these rising expenses through saving, family help, and sometimes borrowing. They're often marrying slightly older, enjoying longer engagements, and increasingly opting for scenic country venues and personalised, non-religious ceremonies.
The key takeaway? Planning is paramount. Understand the potential costs, track your spending meticulously, build in that contingency fund (remember that €5k average overrun!), and focus on creating a day that truly reflects you as a couple. Good luck!
