Average Cost of a Wedding in 2023 #AEWDynamite #Ghibli #LindseyGraham #Stephen #LeBronJames #Skip #Defund #NINESTARMUSTBESTOPPED #RINO #Hali #Wong #TheStudio pic.twitter.com/xbrdWbmeGB
— facting (@facting182168) March 27, 2025
Think your wedding’s expensive? Colombians spend less on their entire wedding than the average American spends on a dress. Using The Knot’s global data, we reveal 2023’s real costs – and how to avoid hidden fees that inflate prices by 40%.
2023 Average Wedding Costs by Country
- 🇮🇹 Italy – $23,900 (historic venues cost 3x local rates)
- 🇮🇳 India – $25,000 (3-day events with 500+ guests)
- 🇫🇷 France – $21,800 (château fees hit $8k alone)
- 🇨🇦 Canada – $20,000 (winter weddings slash costs by 25%)
- 🇵🇹 Portugal – $18,000 (Algarve beach markup: +$5k)
- 🇺🇾 Uruguay – $15,700 (asado feasts feed 200 for $1.5k)
- 🇨🇱 Chile – $9,000 (wine flows cheaper than water)
- 🇧🇷 Brazil – $9,000 (samba bands > DJs)
- 🇵🇪 Peru – $8,000 (Andean ceremonies cut venue costs)
- 🇨🇴 Colombia – $5,250 (backyard parties dominate)
Why Costs Vary Wildly
- Guest lists: India averages 524 guests vs France’s 72
- Food: Uruguay’s asado costs $7/person vs Italy’s $110
- Hidden fees: Canadian marriage licenses cost $200+
3 Budget Hacks From Cheap Wedding Countries
- Colombia’s “fiesta en casa” saves $10k on venues
- Peru’s alpaca wool dresses cost 80% less than lace
- Chile’s wine regions offer free venue bookings with cases bought
FAQs: Wedding Costs Unwrapped
- What’s the biggest expense?
- Venues (40% of budgets). Use our negotiation guide.
- Can I mix traditions to save?
- Yes! Brazilian samba + Uruguayan asado = 30% cheaper than European styles.
- Cheapest month to marry?
- January in Canada – venues drop prices 50% post-holidays.
Future Trends to Watch
- AI wedding planners cutting costs by 15% (tested in Portugal)
- “Minimony” packages (20 guests max) growing 200% YoY
- Borrow-and-return dress rentals expanding globally
Final Tip
Your wedding ≠ a royal coronation. Steal Colombia’s backyard vibe or Chile’s wine-fueled receptions. For more hacks, try our cost calculator or explore 10 Cultural Wedding Traditions.