It’s no big secret that weddings can be expensive in Ireland. According to Confetti Magazine’s annual Irish Wedding Survey in 2019, the average cost of a wedding is €25,000. This figure depends on a lot of variables such as guest list size and venue costs but either way an estimated budget figure needs to be calculated so you and your partner can plan the perfect wedding within your limits.
Don’t know where to start? No problem, we’re here to help.
Some families can help contribute towards the costs of your wedding. If this is something your parents have mentioned before, have a chat with them to see exactly how much they can contribute. This will allow you to come up with a realistic budget as you know where you stand. The last thing you want is to be arguing with your family over money – be respectful and thankful.
It’s important to be honest with yourselves for this step. If you overestimate what you can afford it will leave you feeling stressed and anxious about the wedding. Work out how much you can afford to save each month in the lead up to your wedding. Some couples choose to push their wedding out by a year to allow more time to save. Do what works best for you.
Now that you have an estimated budget, it’s time to make an estimated guest list. Nearly all wedding packages are priced per guest attending. By estimating the number of guests, you would like to invite, you will have a much better idea of your budget and which venues are suitable. Remember, the guestlist budget does not include the cost of a wedding dress, suits, etc. Ideally, half of your budget will go towards the meal and the other half is for everything else.
You and your fiancé might have different ideas on the most important elements of your wedding day. Perhaps you want a gourmet banquet experience, but they want a free bar. Flowers might be hugely important to you but not to them. Try to decide on one non-negotiable aspect for each other and then prioritise any other aspects to fit within your budget.
Wedding budgets can be blown very quickly – even when you’ve both had the best of intentions. Be sure to read the fine print and carry out lots of research for every aspect of your wedding. Here are some hidden costs you might not have considered before now:
Alteration costs for dresses or suits
Marriage certificate fees
Church fees
Civil ceremony fees
Late bar extension fees
Hairdresser/makeup artist travel costs
Wedding insurance
Tips for vendors
Do they match up? Or are they out by miles? If they match up, great – you’ve found your wedding budget. If not, try revisiting the above steps and work on your guestlist and non-negotiables until you can get the figures to align better. Find your budget and stick to it.
Tip: Try to be realistic with yourselves and avoid adding any extra stress (or debt) to your relationship. There are so many cost-effective wedding options to choose from.
At Clayton Hotel Galway our all-inclusive, cost-effective wedding packages make things easier for calculating your wedding budget. Our packages range from €45 to €65 per guest and include special extras touches such as:
Dedicated team of wedding planners
Live piano music for your reception
2 nights complimentary stay in our Presidential Suite
2 additional Executive Rooms
Fairy light backdrop and candelabras and lots more.
Make a wedding enquiry to speak to our team of wedding professionals and take a virtual tour of our wedding venue.