Let's Talk Money

Let’s get honest about budgets for a few minutes. My wedding’s budget is $20,000 for an event that will have about 100 guests and will take place in Toronto. Now, I know that some of you are thinking, “Only $20,000? Are they planning on having a picnic in the park?” while some of you are thinking “$20,000! That’s the price of a car.”

My fiancé and I choose that number because it’s one we feel comfortable; a figure that won’t put us into debt but at the same time should be able to pay for the type of wedding we want – something elegant and urban, with an emphasis on simplicity and little concern for tradition.

Still, I agree that $20,000 is a lot of money and I completely understand those who think that spending that much on one day is a waste. But at the same time, I know that a $10,000 or even a $15,000 wedding would, for me, be a stressful and regret-filled event and I don’t see the point in spending any cash on an event that you’re not going to enjoy.

No one needs a $10,000 dress or a 500-person guest list. But if you know that you won’t be happy with your big day unless you get the big, white dress or get to invite everyone who you want to invite, then it’s probably best to put the wedding plans on hold while you start saving cash to cover those must-haves. Alternatively, you could go back to the drawing board and try to come up with plans for a cheaper, but just-as-enjoyable day, For example, maybe a destination wedding or even a wedding in the same venue but on a Friday night in March, could deliver the day you want at the price you can afford.


Of course, the worst thing you can do is to go into debt over your wedding. If you think you’re going to regret not wearing a Vera Wang, just wait until you find yourself still paying off that dress over a year later.

Planning a wedding budget makes me think of one of the Ontario Lottery Corporation’s slogan – “Know your limit, play within it.” You need to know your limit, on both ends of the scale, and then make sure your expanses stay within it otherwise one of the biggest days of your life will also be one of the most miserable.