Realistic Wedding Budget Breakdown for Canada - Part two

The medium-cost tier

If you want to spend around the average wedding cost in Canada, you can opt for the medium-cost tier for some or all of your wedding expenses. This means that you will look for ways to balance quality and price by choosing mid-range options, doing some things yourself, or splurging on some items while saving on others.
To help you understand where this money goes, here is a breakdown of the average wedding cost in Canada by percentage:

• Wedding catering: 38%
• Photography and videography: 12%
• Ceremony and reception venues: 9%
• Honeymoon: 7%
• Wedding flowers: 7%
• Wedding music: 5%
• Bride's attire: 5%
• Wedding stationery: 3%
• Wedding rings: 3%
• Wedding cake: 2.5%
• Wedding transportation: 2%
• Wedding hair, makeup and beauty services: 2%
• Groom's attire: 1%
• Wedding favors and wedding party gifts: 1%
• Officiant: less than 1%

Here are some examples of what you can expect to pay for each category in the medium-cost tier:

• Wedding catering. The average cost of wedding catering in Canada is about $11,000 CAD for 150 guests³. This includes food and beverage costs, as well as service fees, gratuities and taxes. To balance quality and price on wedding catering, you can choose a mid-range option such as a plated dinner, a family-style service or a food truck. You can also order from a reputable restaurant or caterer that offers reasonable prices and good reviews. Another idea is to have a mix of different cuisines and dishes that cater to different tastes and dietary needs². Some examples of medium-cost wedding catering options are: steak dinners, seafood platters, barbecue stations, sushi platters, cheese and charcuterie boards, pizza stations, taco bars, salad bars and assorted appetizers. These can range from $25 to $50 CAD per person.
• Photography and videography. The average cost of wedding photography and videography in Canada is about $3,500 CAD³. This includes the fees for hiring a professional photographer and/or videographer for several hours on your wedding day , as well as editing and delivering your photos and/or videos . To balance quality and price on wedding photography and videography , you can look for experienced photographers and videographers who offer competitive rates . You can also negotiate their coverage time to include only the most important moments of your wedding day . Another idea is to ask your guests to take photos and videos with their smartphones or cameras and share them with you via an app or a hashtag , in addition to hiring a professional . Some examples of medium-cost wedding photography and videography options are : hiring a photographer or videographer who specializes in weddings , using an online service that connects you with local photographers or videographers who offer customized packages , or renting a photo booth that prints out instant photos for your guests ² . These can range from $1,500 to $3,000 CAD.
• Ceremony and reception venues. The average cost of wedding ceremony and reception venues in Canada is about $2,600 CAD³. This includes the rental fees for booking a church , a hall , a hotel , a park , or any other location where you want to hold your ceremony and/or reception . To balance quality and price on wedding venues , you can look for popular dates , weekend dates , or evening times when venues may offer standard rates . You can also choose one venue that can accommodate both your ceremony and reception instead of two separate locations . Another idea is to have your wedding at a unique or scenic location that offers more value for money . Some examples of medium-cost wedding venues are : historic buildings , museums , art galleries , wineries , golf courses , or gardens ² . These can range from $1,000 to $5,000 CAD.
• Wedding flowers: $1,500-$2,000 : Includes bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, centerpieces, ceremony flowers, and reception flowers Ways to save money: choose seasonal and local flowers, reuse ceremony flowers for reception, opt for smaller or fewer arrangements
• Wedding music: $800-$1,200 : Includes ceremony music, cocktail hour music, reception music, and any additional equipment or services. Ways to save money: book early, negotiate hours and rates, choose less popular days or times.
• Bride’s attire: Your dress is one of the most important items for your wedding day. You can find a variety of options for your bride’s attire in the medium-cost tier, from traditional gowns to modern dresses. The average cost of bride’s attire in Canada is $1,000-$2,000, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by shopping online, renting or borrowing a dress, choosing a simpler design or fabric, or buying a second-hand or sample dress.
• Wedding stationery: Your stationery is one of the most important items for your wedding theme. You can find a variety of options for your wedding stationery in the medium-cost tier, from formal invitations to casual cards. The average cost of wedding stationery in Canada is $400-$600, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by designing your own stationery online, printing them at home or at a local shop, choosing a simpler design or paper quality, or sending digital invitations instead of paper ones.
• Wedding rings: Your rings are one of the most important items for your wedding symbol. You can find a variety of options for your wedding rings in the medium-cost tier, from classic bands to sparkling diamonds. The average cost of wedding rings in Canada is $1,000-$3,000, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by shopping online, choosing a simpler design or metal type, opting for alternative stones or materials, or buying a vintage or heirloom ring.
• Wedding cake: Your cake is one of the most important items for your wedding celebration. You can find a variety of options for your wedding cake in the medium-cost tier, from traditional tiered cakes to modern cupcake towers. The average cost of wedding cake in Canada is $300-$500, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by choosing a smaller size or fewer tiers, opting for buttercream frosting instead of fondant, or decorating with fresh flowers instead of sugar ones.
• 
  Wedding transportation: Your transportation is one of the most important items for your wedding logistics. You can find a variety of options for your wedding transportation in the medium-cost tier, from limousines to buses. The average cost of wedding transportation in Canada is $500-$800, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by booking early, choosing a shorter distance or duration, or sharing the ride with other guests.
• Wedding hair, makeup and beauty services: Your hair, makeup and beauty services are one of the most important items for your wedding appearance. You can find a variety of options for your wedding hair, makeup and beauty services in the medium-cost tier, from professional stylists to DIY kits. The average cost of wedding hair, makeup and beauty services in Canada is $300-$500, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by doing a trial run before the wedding, choosing a simpler style or look, or asking a friend or family member to help you.
• Groom’s attire: Your suit is one of the most important items for your wedding day. You can find a variety of options for your groom’s attire in the medium-cost tier, from tuxedos to suits. The average cost of groom’s attire in Canada is $300-$500, according to WeddingWire. You can save money by renting or borrowing a suit, choosing a classic color or style, or buying a second-hand or sample suit.
• Wedding favors and party gifts: Your favors and party gifts are one of the most important items for your wedding gratitude. You can find a variety of options for your wedding favors and party gifts in the medium-cost tier, from personalized items to edible treats. The average cost of wedding favors and party gifts in Canada is $300-$500, according to WeddingWire. This includes the favors for the guests and the gifts for the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other members of your wedding party. You can save money by buying online, making your own DIY favors or gifts, choosing smaller or fewer items, or donating to a charity instead of giving favors.
• Officiant: Your officiant is one of the most important items for your wedding ceremony. You can find a variety of options for your officiant in the medium-cost tier, from religious leaders to online ministers. The average cost of an officiant in Canada is $300-$400.