LR STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY

WHAT A WEDDING COSTS

IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO

It’s official! You are engaged! Congratulations!! This is a very exciting milestone in your life, and the next few months (maybe years) will be quite the adventure for you. Whether you've been daydreaming about your wedding for years or have never thought about it a day in your life, the fact of the matter is: it’s time to start planning a wedding! But where do you begin? The answer is simple, yet it is often ignored: CREATING A BUDGET



CEREMONY 

  • Ceremony Rental Fee
  • Officiant or Church Donation
  • Marriage License



BUDGET RANGE

$750 - $2,500

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN YOUR BUDGET

There are a few things that have to happen simultaneously when you create a budget. You need to know each of these key pieces of information before you can start "shopping" around for your dream wedding - and we are going to make it really easy for you:
You must know your guest count - this is one of the very first things you should do! A not a range, but a genuine estimate of your invite list. Why? Well, because you would be shocked at how fast that list adds up when you start writing it down. You need to know what is realistic for your guest count because that will have a direct impact on not only your budget, but also your venue selection, your location, and the overall vibe of your wedding.

And when I say know your guest count, I mean take a piece of paper or open an excel spreadsheet and start writing down names. 
  • Will you invite Aunts and Uncles? 
  • What about Cousins? Second Cousins? 
  • Are kids invited? 
  • Can single guests bring a plus one? 
  • Are you inviting co-workers? 
  • Relatives that live out of town? 
  • Friends or family who have never met your partner?

You see my point here? It will add up quickly…. 

GUEST LIST

Setting a location requires a lot of consideration. In the past, weddings were hosted in the Bride’s hometown - but that has quickly become outdated. While many couples do still choose to get married in their hometowns, many opt to choose a location that means something to them: where they met, where they went to school, where they set their roots, etc. and with that, comes a list of questions to consider that will have a direct impact on your budget.

Here are questions to decide on which may impact your budget:

  • What type of venue are you dreaming of? Is it indoor or out? A hotel or golf course? Wheatfield Estate or at home?
  • Where will your ceremony be? Is it at the same location as the reception? Are there costs associated with having them separate?
  • Will you or your guests need to travel for this wedding? What are the associated costs with that?
  • How accessible is your chosen venue with respect to hired vendors? Does it have everything you need or do you have to rent things in? Is there a surplus of vendors in the area or are they travelling in?

LOCATION

It is very important that you set your priorities as a couple, to really understand what is most important to you. Making a list of your must-haves and wants will assist you in navigating the budget. Just like any big purchase (a car, a house, etc.), you need to make a list of all the things that you consider “must-haves” and “cannot live withouts” and make sure they are accounted for in your budget.

  • How important is photography to you? 
  • Do you want a Videographer? 
  • Have you always dreamed about being surrounded by lush florals and out of this world decor? 
  • Do you want a 4 course plated dinner or a comfort food family style menu? 
  • Will you cover the cost of an open bar or do you want to limit consumption of alcohol? 
  • Do you want a 10 minute firework show or a venue with a bonfire that you can roast marshmallows at?
  • Are there any cultural elements or entertainment that should be considered?
  • Have you always dreamed of a band? Do you want a DJ or live musicians? Maybe all of the above?
  • Do your families have any expectations on elements at your wedding? Like entertainment or a certain food style?

Even though you may not know all the things needed for a wedding from a logistical stand point (yet), everyone has their must haves and deal breakers when it comes to their wedding and adding it at the budget stage will set realistic expectations and reduce stress later on.

MUST HAVES / WISH LIST

HOW TO CREATE THE BUDGET

Ok, you’ve got your guest count written down and a list of things you couldn’t possibly live without. So, now is the time to begin making your budget. This is one of the most important first steps to planning a wedding, and yet, it is the one area most try to sweep under the rug. We understand why: how could you possibly know what things cost?

What I want to tell you is this: Don’t just pick a random figure and assume you can make it work. Of course, we realize that everyone has a number of what they think a wedding should cost and what they can afford, but those two things are not mutually exclusive. You need to do some research to understand what things actually cost - and that trusty must-have list along with your guest count is going to help you navigate this budget more realistically. Here are some general guidelines to help based on London, Ontario weddings:

BUDGET LINE

RECEPTION

  • Reception Rental Fee
  • SOCAN / ReSound Fees
  • Insurance or Permits
  • Washroom Rentals 



$350 - $650

$90 - $140

$2,500 - $18,500

$50 - $200

$250 - $500

* DISCLAIMER *

These numbers were provided by our sister business, Twelfth Night Events, who has been actively planning weddings & events in London, Ontario for over 10 years. The figures are broad ranges for the purpose of covering a variety of scenarios. Pricing is subject to change each year and is based solely on a smaller city, using reputable vendors who work full-time in the industry. Weddings located in larger cities, like Toronto, can be exponentially higher. Hiring less experienced vendors can also provide lower pricing. Pricing is also relative to the quality, style, and experience of the vendor you are considering.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

  • Cocktail Reception
  • Dinner (Plated vs. Buffet)
  • Late Night 
  • Host Bar
  • Bring Your Own Alcohol
  • Staffing 
  • Equipment Rentals 
  • Gratuity
  • Wedding Cake



$14 - $20 

$65 - $150

$15 - $20

$45 - $90 

$25 - $40 

$25 - $50 pp / ph

pricing is per person

$2,500 - $6,500+

18% - 20%

$100 - $1,000

RENTALS & DECOR

  • Chairs 
  • Tables 
  • Linens
  • Napkins 
  • Chandeliers
  • Backdrops
  • Bar Rentals
  • Cocktail Tables 
  • Lounge Furiture
  • Place Settings 
  • Charger Plates



$7 - $20

$12 - $75

$20 - $50

$1 - $3

$75 - $350

$500 - $2,500

pricing is per unit

$250 - $450

$10 - $45

$75 - $350

FLORALS

  • Bouquets
  • Ceremony Florals 
  • Centrepieces
  • Head Table Florals 



$150 - $350

$650 - $2,500+

$125 - $500

$350 - $5,000+

ENTERTAINMENT

  • DJ 
  • Live Musicians 
  • Band
  • Fireworks
  • Performers



$650 - $3,000

$550 - $1,500

$3,500 - $25,000

$3,000- $5,000

$1,500 - $5,000+

BEAUTY & ATTIRE

  • Make-up Artist 
  • Hair Stylist
  • Wedding Gown 
  • Suits
  • Bridesmaid Dress



$95 - $125 

$95 - $150

$750 - $7,500+

$250 - $1,500+

$110 - 300+

$1 - $5

$5 - $20

$150 - $550

$3 - $5

$5 - $8

$1- $3

TRANSPORTATION

  • Stretch Limousine
  • Vintage Car Rental 
  • Shuttle Bus

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

  • Photography - 9 Hours
  • Videography 
  • Photo Booth



$3,000 - $10,000 +

$3,500 - $10,000+

$750 - $1,500

STATIONERY 

  • Save the Dates
  • Invitations 
  • Seating Chart
  • Table Numbers 
  • Menu Cards 
  • Place Cards 



$850 - $2,000

$750 - $1,200

$650 - $3,000

WEDDING PLANNER

  • Day of Coordinator / Month of 
  • Partial Planning 
  • Full Planning



$1,500 - $3,500

$3,500 - $6,500

10% of Budget

pricing is per unit

pricing is per unit

$650 - $1,500

$0.75 - $2

$3 - $5

NOW, AM I READY?

With the above points considered, you are officially ready to begin contacting wedding vendors for quotes and availability. Once you have set your budget based on the above guidelines + any wish list items that were not mentioned above (favours, gifts, a honeymoon, etc.) you can begin making informed decisions on who will be part of your wedding day dream team of professionals.

So, who do you contact first? My personal recommendation is, of course, a Wedding Planner. While the above-mentioned points should assist you in starting the wedding budget + overall planning, you will no doubt be filled with questions and unsure where to start. A Wedding Planner will guide you through this process seamlessly - and a good one is worth their weight in gold. Investing in a professional Wedding Planner will save you time, stress, and money, and will prioritize the billion and one thoughts that are currently racing through your mind.

Happy Planning!

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