Planning a wedding can be an exhilarating yet daunting task, especially when it comes to budgeting. This guide aims to provide a detailed breakdown of the average wedding cost in Toronto in 2024, offering valuable insights for couples who are embarking on their wedding planning journey.

Understanding the Average Wedding Cost in Toronto

The average wedding cost in Toronto can vary greatly, but on average, couples can expect to spend anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000+ for their special day. This is a based on 100 guests in a downtown Toronto area wedding venue for a single day wedding. However, it's important to note that this is a broad range and the actual cost can be significantly lower or higher depending on your personal preferences and choices. An easier metric - most couples planning in the downtown Toronto area expect to spend between $500-$1500+ per guest for their wedding.

Key Wedding Expenditure Categories

Here is a summary of the major categories you can expect to allocate your budget towards:

Reception and Catering

This is usually the most significant component of a wedding, accounting for up to 65% of the total wedding budget. The reception and catering cost typically includes the venue rental, staffing, meals for guests, beverages and basic rentals like tables, chairs, tabletop items and linen.

Photography and Videography

Capturing your wedding day in photos and videos is the next significant expense. Hiring skilled Toronto wedding photographers and videographers is crucial for preserving your precious memories. This cost can vary depending on what you choose to include in your package - ie multiple shooters, drone coverage, same day edits, etc. Typical costs of experienced and skilled teams start at $5,000 for a single day with a single shooter.

Floral and Decor

Floral arrangements and décor can greatly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your wedding, but it's also one of the most labor-intensive aspects of wedding planning. The costs here can vary greatly depending on your personal style and the overall aesthetic of your venue.

Hair, Makeup, and Attire

Looking and feeling your best on your wedding day is a must. This cost category includes the bride's dress, groom's suit, and professional hair and makeup services. Don't forget alterations and accessories, too!

Entertainment

Entertainment options can range from DJs and live bands to photo booths and other types of live performances.

Wedding Rings

The wedding bands symbolize your lasting love and commitment, and their cost is usually factored into the wedding budget.

Breaking Down the Average Wedding Costs in Toronto

Here's a more detailed look at how much you can expect to spend in each category:

Venue and Food

The cost of the reception and catering can range from $20,000 to over $45,000, depending on the exact location, the size of the venue, and the number of guests. I've based this range off of a wedding in the downtown core of Toronto with approximately 100 guests. Remember, the venue sets the tone for your entire celebration, so choose a space that resonates with your overall wedding vision. As venue accounts for a large portion of your wedding budget, there is also an opportunity to save by choosing off-peak dates for your wedding.  Hiring an experienced Toronto wedding planner can help with mitigating (and negotiating) the costs and inclusions of your wedding venue package. This is the area where you can have the most impact on your wedding budget.

Photography and Cinema

The average cost for photography and cinematography can range from $5,000 to $10,000+ each. The exact cost can vary based on factors such as the size of the team, the number of events to be covered, whether you want to hire separate companies for photography and cinema and specific inclusions like same day edits, physical photo albums and the like.

Wedding Attire

Your wedding attire budget, including, including wedding dresses, suits, sarees, lehengas, etc should also include alteration costs, accessories and undergarments. Custom outfits can cost over $3000.00 without considering alteration costs and accoutrements.

Wedding Rings

The cost of wedding bands can start at around $600 and can go upwards based on your preferences. Remember, these bands represent your lasting love with your partner, so it's worth considering them as an essential part of your budget.

Wedding Planner

If you're considering hiring a wedding planner to help navigate the planning process, you can expect to spend around $3,000 to $7,500 + for a full time and experienced planning team, depending on the planning package that you choose. While not  every wedding requires a full wedding planner, having a day of coordinator (month of management) can help ensure things run smoothly on your big day.

Lastly..

Planning a wedding in Toronto involves careful consideration of numerous cost categories. By understanding the average wedding cost in Toronto and exploring potential cost-saving measures, you can ensure that you're well-prepared to make informed decisions that align with your budget and vision. Remember that your own values should govern how you spend in each category. Some couples value food and beverage above all, others value entertainment. Consider what matters to you both individually and together and make decisions in service of that as you plan your wedding together.Remember, while budgeting is essential, it's equally important to ensure that your wedding day is a reflection of your personal style and preferences. After all, it's a celebration of your love and commitment, and it's worth investing in making it a day you'll remember fondly for the rest of your life.If you are ready to get started with planning your big day, reach out Toronto's best wedding planners and we'll be happy to help! Events by Whim is a Toronto and Calgary based wedding and event planning firm specializing in intimate celebrations for modern romantics.