wedding cost

What Does Inflation Mean for the Wedding Industry?

The Canadian wedding industry was particularly sensitive to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdowns of 2020 brought the industry to a grinding halt. Venues were closed, and vendors saw their bookings vanish overnight. Even as lockdown restrictions began to ease in 2021, the wedding industry was slow to recover. Couples and public health officials alike were reluctant to embrace large public gatherings. As such, the sector would languish for another year.

However, 2022 has been viewed as a hard reset for Canadian wedding professionals. But while the year has brought a sense of optimism, there are still challenges on the horizon. Since so many couples had delayed their ceremonies, the industry now faces a supply shortage. While many vendors are happy to have full calendars again, the supply shortage can make planning a wedding difficult. The internal dynamics of the wedding industry are challenging enough, but now there is evidence that the industry is preparing to deal with a broader economic trend: inflation. 

Inflation in Canada 

Economists define inflation as a general increase in the price of goods and services. While the cause is the subject of intense debate, the United States and Canada are currently experiencing the highest inflation in decades. Statistics Canada puts the country’s official inflation rate at a whopping 6.8%. This marks the highest inflation rate in over 30 years. The rise in prices can be seen everywhere, and weddings are no exception. 

What Inflation Means for the Wedding Industry

Weddings are notoriously expensive. Before the pandemic and the inflation that followed, a couple could expect to spend around $30,000 on their big day. The current economic environment could very well see a dramatic increase in a wedding’s sticker price.

Typically, the most considerable expense a couple encounters when planning a wedding is the venue space. Even if inflation were not a factor, the surge in demand for weddings is making venues difficult to secure. High demand means that venue owners can charge more to rent out their spaces.

Additionally, though, venue spaces are currently experiencing higher operating costs. Increases in the prices of utilities combined with an ongoing labor shortage are contributing to higher venue prices across the country.

Catering is also particularly sensitive to the current inflationary environment. The combination of high fuel costs, the labor shortage, and an ongoing supply chain crisis has culminated in record food prices.

Wedding caterers are already stretched thin to fulfill their obligations, but an increase in the cost of food and transportation has caused them to raise their prices. While 2022 is still on track to be a record year for weddings, this ongoing rise means that couples must be creative with their wedding budgets. 

How Couples Are Responding

The pandemic and the business environment that it created have changed the wedding industry forever. Couples have had the opportunity to reframe their expectations about what a wedding should be. To meet the challenges in the marketplace, couples are embracing micro weddings and even virtual weddings. They’re also embracing a do-it-yourself mentality. Rather than outsourcing planning, catering, or decorating, nearlyweds are finding value in getting their friends and family involved. Not only does this save money, but it creates a more genuine and community-oriented experience for all.

While times are certainly challenging, the future is optimistic. It appears that many couples are getting back to the basics of what weddings are truly for. While the industry is still in the early phases of this transition, what is certain is that vendors will adapt to ensure that great wedding ceremonies are accessible to all who want them. 

The Real Cost of Love

Being in love in the Great White North is more expensive than you might think. According to its 3rd annual Cost of Love report (link), Canadian financial news company RateSupermarket reports that couples spend approximately $50,339 in the pursuit of love and marriage. This number includes the expenses associated with one year of dating, a yearlong engagement and the average price of tying the knot in Canada. This figure is 11.4 percent higher than it was in 2014.

Understanding the Rising Costs

Why the big jump in price? There are several factors believed to contribute to the 11.4 percent year-over-year increase. One is the declining value of the Canadian dollar which, in recent months, has flirted with the all-time lows reached in the spring of 2009. A declining dollar impacts the price of most goods and services sold in the country including food, clothing and travel, all of which factor into the cost of dating and hosting a wedding. However, the largest contributing factor to the price increase was the $4,000 jump in wedding-related expenses. RateSupermarket partially attributes this phenomenon to engaged couples opting for pricier options for their big day.

Dating

Dating expenses are not always factored into the equation. However, they should not be overlooked for couples who want to end up at the altar. RateSupermarket estimates that couples spend an average of $7,740 on one year of dating. This includes fancy dinners, casual dates at the movies, weekend getaways and incidentals like flowers and new clothes.

The Engagement

Many couples are engaged for a year before they marry and it can be an expensive 12 months. According to RateSupermarket, engaged couples should expect to spend approximately $10,914 during the year. More money for dates and apparel are two of the line items. The big ticket elements associated with this period are an engagement ring and party.

The Wedding

The actual wedding accounts for over half of the $50,339 total and comes in at $31,685. The wedding dress, all the costs that come with the venue and the honeymoon are the most expensive line items.

Ways to Lower the Tab

For couples distressed over the numbers, there are ways to spend less money on the entire process.

  • Spend Less but Don’t Skimp on the Romance

Instead of going for pricey dinners at trendy restaurants, consider packing a picnic and heading to a scenic spot. Cooking at home is also very cost-effective and, if you plan it right, doesn’t have to be less romantic. Skip movies at a theater and the overpriced popcorn, and watch a film at home. Many of the online movie subscription services have near current releases. Their options are typically much less than the price of two tickets in a movie theater. There are also many older romantic movies that are fun to watch.

  • Go Casual for Your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

A rehearsal dinner does not have to be an elaborate sit-down affair. Consider having a BBQ or having the party catered by food trucks. Your guests may actually have more fun.

  • Avoid Saturdays

Saturdays are typically the most popular day of the week for weddings. Planning yours for a Friday or Sunday will probably save you money. If you are planning a wedding in your hometown and most of the guests don’t have to travel, this can be a particularly viable option.

  • Wear Informal Wedding Attire

Gone are the days when a bride had to wear an extravagant dress and have ten bridesmaids attired in expensive dresses. Tuxedos are also no longer necessary for the groom and groomsmen; suits can be a great alternative.

Dating and getting married is a very wonderful and exciting time in your life. Hopefully couples can focus on the joy of being in love rather than on how much everything costs.