If you've been reading the news lately, you may have heard that weddings in Canada feel more out of reach than ever. You're not imagining it. Several big surveys came out this year, and they all point the same way: couples are feeling the squeeze, guests are feeling it too, and lots of people are spending more than they planned.
But here's the thing I want you two to hold onto: there is no single "real" price of a wedding. There's only the wedding that's right for you, at a number you can live with happily afterwards. So let's look at what the numbers actually say, why they're so different, and how to build a budget that feels calm instead of scary.
What the 2026 surveys say
BMO (July 2026). BMO asked Ipsos to survey 2,503 Canadian adults, and people estimated that a wedding costs about $19,000 on average. They broke that guess down roughly like this: food and drinks around $4,900, the venue around $4,200, attire (including hair and makeup) around $2,950, travel and accommodations around $2,800, decorations around $1,700, photography and video around $1,650, and entertainment around $1,600.
Wealthsimple (August 2026). Wealthsimple surveyed more than 1,200 of its customers who had paid for a wedding or gone to one. Couples budgeted an average of $15,000, but the midpoint of what they actually spent was about $25,000. Because a few weddings were very expensive, the overall average came out closer to $37,000. In B.C., the median was between $40,000 and $59,999.
TD (May 2026). TD's survey, done by Leger with 1,500 Canadian adults, looked at the other side of the guest list: 48 per cent said cost has affected their decision to attend a wedding.
So, are weddings more unaffordable than before?
That's the feeling in the headlines, and the surveys back up the stress, even if none of them tracks prices year over year.
In the Wealthsimple survey, 41 per cent of couples went somewhat over budget and another 14 per cent went very over. Sixty-nine per cent of married couples said they felt pressured to spend more than they were comfortable with, and 26 per cent put wedding costs on a credit card. In B.C., nearly 55 per cent of couples overspent and 47 per cent used a credit card.
Guests are feeling it too. BMO found people expect to spend about $1,530 just to attend a wedding, once you add travel, outfits, gifts and food. Forty per cent of Canadians said attending weddings is a major source of financial stress, rising to 49 per cent of Millennials.
And priorities are shifting. A Royal LePage survey in May 2026 found 79 per cent of Canadians would consider asking for money toward a down payment instead of a traditional wedding gift.
None of this means you can't have a beautiful wedding. It means you're in very good company if you want to plan one on purpose.
Why the numbers are so different
When one survey says $19,000 and another says $37,000, it's easy to feel confused. Here's why they don't match.
Guesses versus receipts. BMO asked people what they think a wedding costs. Wealthsimple asked people what they actually spent. Real bills tend to come in higher than guesses.
Average versus median. An average gets pulled up by a handful of very big weddings. A median is the middle wedding. That's why Wealthsimple's middle figure (about $25,000) sits so far below its average (about $37,000).
Who was asked. A bank's customers, a polling panel and a whole province are different groups of people, with different incomes and different guest lists.
Where you live. B.C.'s median was well above the national one. Big cities, popular resort areas and peak summer Saturdays usually cost more than a small town or a winter Friday.
What's counted. Some surveys include rings, honeymoons or guest travel. Some don't. Always check what's inside a number before you compare yourself to it.
What about 2027?
I can't give you a 2027 price, and I'd be wary of anyone who does. Nobody has published a credible Canadian forecast. What we know is that the 2026 numbers already include a lot of stretched budgets, so it's wise to plan with a little cushion and to ask each vendor how their pricing works for the year you're booking. Many quote for the season of your wedding, not the season you sign.
Start with your number, not theirs
The most loving thing you can do for your future selves is decide your total before you fall for anything.
Sit down together. Talk about what you've saved, what you can save between now and the wedding, and whether family hopes to help. If family is contributing, gently ask for a number early so nobody's guessing later.
Pick the three things that matter most. Maybe it's the food, the photos and the dance floor. Maybe it's having every grandparent there. Spend generously on those three, and let the rest be simple.
Leave a cushion. With so many couples going over budget this year, setting aside a little extra for surprises is one of the kindest choices you can make.
Our free budget planner, Ever After, helps you set your total, divide it up and keep track as you book, so you always know where you stand. Our wedding budget basics guide walks through it step by step.
The biggest levers you control
Your guest count. Food, drinks, chairs, favours and often the venue size all grow with every guest. Trimming the list is usually the single biggest saving. If an intimate day appeals to you, our small wedding ideas are full of inspiration.
Your date. A Friday or Sunday, or a winter wedding, can open up more choice and sometimes better value. Read our pieces on Friday and Sunday weddings and winter weddings in Canada, then see who's free on your date.
Your venue. Since the venue and the meal are usually the two biggest pieces, ask what's included. Some venues include tables, linens and setup, which can save you a separate rental bill. Our list of questions to ask a wedding venue helps you compare fairly.
Your timing. Booking early gives you more options at more price points. Our guide on when to book wedding vendors has a simple timeline.
Get real quotes, not guesses
Averages are a starting point, but your real number comes from real quotes. Reach out to a few photographers, caterers, florists and décor pros, musicians and DJs and hair and makeup artists, and you'll soon see what things cost where you live. There are many more kinds of vendors on OpenDates too, from officiants and planners to rentals and transportation.
When you ask, mention your date, your guest count and your total budget. Good vendors will tell you honestly what's possible, and many have packages for smaller or off-peak weddings. Prices vary a lot, so if you're unsure what's fair, ask two or three and compare what's included, not just the total.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a wedding in Canada in 2026?
It depends on the survey. Canadians estimated about $19,000 in BMO's July 2026 survey, while Wealthsimple's August 2026 survey of couples found a midpoint of about $25,000 and an average closer to $37,000. Your own cost will depend on your guest count, location and date.
Why do wedding cost numbers vary so much?
Some surveys ask what people think a wedding costs and others ask what couples actually spent. Averages are pulled up by a few very expensive weddings, while medians show the middle. Region and what's included matter too.
Are weddings more expensive in B.C.?
In Wealthsimple's 2026 survey, the B.C. median was between $40,000 and $59,999, compared with about $25,000 nationally. Costs vary across every province, so local quotes are the best guide.
How much will a wedding cost in 2027?
No credible Canadian forecast has been published yet. Plan with a cushion and ask vendors how they price weddings in 2027.
How do we keep our wedding on budget?
Set your total first, choose your top three priorities, keep the guest list thoughtful and leave room for surprises. Our free Ever After planner helps you track every booking.
Photos from Pexels.