Planning your wedding in Ireland? One of the first questions that likely comes to mind is: how much does it cost to get married in Ireland?
It’s a smart place to start. Knowing what others typically spend can give you a solid foundation for building your own budget. While every couple’s celebration is unique – shaped by personal preferences and priorities – looking at average costs can help you plan realistically and avoid surprises.
Curious to see the numbers? Dive into our research below!
How much does it cost to get married in Ireland?
According to the latest weddingsonline survey, the average wedding budget: €34,392 (excluding honeymoon).
A few notable stats from the survey:
51% of couples went over budget
34% took out a loan
31% got help from their parents
Only 11% chose their suppliers based on the lowest price
Average spend in each category
Knowing the average total wedding budget is helpful, but how do couples actually divvy up their spending? The breakdown below shows the average amount spent in each major category.
Keep in mind, though, that these figures are just averages. Every couple has different priorities, and your budget should reflect what matters most to you. For instance, if flowers are a big deal for your day, you may want to allocate more than the average £1071 typically spent in that category.
Engagement Rings: €3095
Wedding Rings: €1672
Band: €2673
DJ: €711
Photographer: €2108
Videographer: €1779
Content Creator: €1270
Wedding Dress: €2054
Ceremony Music: €593
Drinks Reception Entertainment: €661
Evening Entertainment: €968
Celebrant or other Officiant: €504 (this figure includes priests and HSE registrars at varying costs / voluntary contributions)
Makeup (bride only): €264
Wedding Party Makeup (per person): €126
Hairstyling (per bride): €145
Wedding Party Hairstyling (per person): €114
Wedding Planner: €2018
Wedding Party Dresses (per person): €362
Beauty Treatments (teeth, botox, tanning): €608
Accessories: €374
Price per suit: €400
Average number of suits bought: 4
Photobooth / Selfie mirror: €558
Wedding Car: €625
Wedding Cake: €480
Décor (Ceremony): €527 (this figure may include flowers)
Décor (Venue): €719 (this figure may include flowers)
Flowers: €1071 (some flower spend may be included in decor)
Invites: €298
Foodie Treats: €395
Ceremony booklets (per booklet): €5
Hen & Stag (per person): €254
Why are weddings so expensive?
If you’re looking at these numbers and thinking, “Why does everything seem so expensive?” – you’re not alone. We recommend tuning in to a special episode of the Wedding Wednesdays podcast, where our editor and host, Kelly Hartmann, chats with the fabulous Caroline and Elaine from Help! I’m Getting Married (HIGM). They dive into the infamous “wedding markup” and break down why certain items cost more once the word wedding enters the conversation. It’s a must-listen for anyone trying to make sense of wedding pricing!
Listen here: Why Are Weddings So Expensive?
