From livestock dowries to six-figure celebrations, weddings have always come with a price. But what couples spend—and what it signals—has evolved dramatically.

Whether it's a backyard gathering or a black-tie affair, weddings are economic events. They involve not only the couple and their families, but entire ecosystems of vendors, venues, and cultural expectations. In Canada, the economics of weddings reflect broader shifts in class, values, gender roles, and consumer behaviour.

Here’s how wedding costs—and what they symbolize—have changed over time.

The History of Wedding Economics: What We Spend—And What It Means
Photo Credit: Justine Milton

Early Economies: Dowries, Bride Prices, and Resource Exchange

Long before floral budgets and bar minimums, marriage was a transactional arrangement:

  • In many cultures, weddings were formalized with a dowry (from the bride’s family to the groom’s) or a bride price (from groom to bride’s family).
  • These were not wedding "gifts"—they were legal and economic exchanges designed to bind families, protect women, or transfer land and wealth.
  • The wedding itself was usually a community event, with guests contributing food or services.

Marriage was as much an economic alliance as a romantic one.

Industrialization to Early 20th Century: Modest Means, Big Expectations

As Canadian society urbanized in the late 1800s and early 1900s:

  • Weddings became slightly more formal and decorative, but most were still modest.
  • The average couple married young, and families pooled resources to cover the costs.
  • Churches and community halls were common venues, with homemade meals and DIY touches.

Even then, economic disparities shaped weddings. For the wealthy, weddings were about status display. For working-class couples, they were about respectability.

The History of Wedding Economics: What We Spend—And What It Means
Photo Credit: Tiara Loewen

Postwar Boom: The Commercial Wedding Arrives

The 1950s–70s saw a sharp rise in consumer wedding culture:

  • The wedding industry encouraged spending on bridal fashion, floral design, reception venues, and photography.
  • The "white wedding" became the ideal, thanks to Hollywood films, bridal magazines, and department store registries.
  • Spending was often split between the bride’s family (ceremony/reception) and the groom’s family (honeymoon/rings)—a practice still common today.

The economic expectation became: if you can afford more, you should spend more.

Late 20th Century to Early 2000s: Choice and Customization (at a Cost)

By the 1990s and 2000s:

  • Weddings became highly personalized, leading to ballooning costs.
  • The rise of wedding planners, Pinterest, and Instagram drove a desire for unique, photogenic experiences.
  • Destination weddings and multi-day events became common among higher-income couples.
  • At the same time, many began to question whether the pressure to spend was worth it.

Canadian couples began making more value-driven decisions—not just about what looked good, but what felt right.

Today’s Wedding Economics in Canada

In today’s landscape, wedding costs are driven by:

  • Location (Toronto and Vancouver rank highest, while rural weddings cost less)
  • Guest count (food and venue are the biggest line items)
  • Photography and videography, often seen as essential investments
  • Cultural expectations—some communities celebrate with hundreds of guests, while others prefer intimate elopements

The average Canadian wedding now costs between $25,000 and $35,000, but real budgets range from $5K to $100K+.

The History of Wedding Economics: What We Spend—And What It Means
Photo Credit: Rebeka Lucija

Beyond the Numbers: What Wedding Spending Represents

Weddings are about money—but also about:

  • Validation: For some, a bigger wedding affirms status or family pride.
  • Sacrifice: Others save or go into debt, believing the day “should be perfect.”
  • Values: More couples are choosing eco-friendly, budget-conscious, or charity-focused weddings.
  • Equity: Many LGBTQ+ and BIPOC couples face unique financial barriers due to family dynamics or lack of generational wealth.

Ultimately, how we spend reflects who we are—and what we want to say with our wedding.

Photographers and Pricing: Investing in What Matters

Wedding photographers often face questions about cost—and for good reason:

  • Photography is one of the highest emotional-value line items, providing memories long after the day ends.
  • Educated clients see it as a creative service, not a commodity.
  • Documenting a $5,000 wedding and a $150,000 wedding may require similar skill, emotional labour, and storytelling ability.

Photographers are key participants in the economics and ethics of the wedding world.

The History of Wedding Economics: What We Spend—And What It Means
Photo Credit: Cathy Lessard

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