How Much Does a Wedding Cost in Ireland?

We're breaking down the typical Irish wedding budget

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You're newly engaged. You're trying to work out your wedding budget. But you've got no idea how much a wedding costs. We hear you! We've put together a sample cost breakdown to help you figure out how much does a wedding cost in Ireland. If you're interested in seeing what real couples actually spend, we've got a whole series on that here - this post is more about breaking down what a typical couple spends on various elements of the day. Consider it a handy list that can and should be adapted to meet your own requirements and priorities.

So, how much does the average wedding cost? Well, we're reluctant to use words like typical or average, because there is no such thing as an average wedding! That said, we know that it's really helpful to have concrete figures in mind. So, while it's true that you can pull off a wedding on almost any budget, for couples who opt for 'the works', the average cost of a wedding in Ireland is €36,000.

Here, we've put together a list of what a *typical* couple spends on each element of a wedding day. But it calls for a heavy disclaimer: this is not what you have to or need to spend, and if your supplier has given you a higher price, it doesn't mean that they are taking advantage (read more about supplier costings here). The only amount a couple has to spend is €200 on their notification fees. After that, it's entirely up to you; who you want to invite, where you want to have it, and the suppliers you want to use. This is just a helpful wedding cost guide to give you a realistic idea of what things cost in Ireland. So, here goes!

What Are Typical Wedding Costs in Ireland?

This is an indicative list of prices, based around using good quality suppliers delivering excellent service. To be clear, this is not a definite price we're quoting, it's simply a ballpark to give you a realistic idea of what things cost. For every element of weddings, there are cheap options, expensive options, and everything in between. It's up to you to decide what you want to splurge on, and what you want to save on.

The below numbers are just there to give you a jumping-off point, the actual cost of any item or service will depend on what you require specifically. Please be aware that suppliers set their rates based on various factors, so the below is not to be taken as a "negotiation" number, rather to help you work out what you want to spend on and what you want to cut from the budget.

Venue: €15,400 (including catering and drinks for 140 guests at €110 per head) Exclusive hire rental can be anywhere from €2000 to €12,000+

Band & DJ: €2,000 - €3,000

Wedding Dress: €2,300 - read our wedding dress price guide and A-Z price guide for bridal designers

Photography: €2,000 - €4,000

Videography: €2,000 - €4,000

Flowers: €1,500 - check out our wedding flowers price guide

Wedding Rings: €800 - €2,000

Ceremony Music: €800

Groom's Suit: €800

Wedding Cake & Treats: €700

Stationery: €750

Bridesmaids: €750

Décor: €650

Gifts & Favours: €600

Hair & Makeup: €550 - check out our bridal beauty price guide

Transport: €500

Bridal Accessories & Shoes: €500

Groomsmen: €500

Fees: €200

Contingency: €4500 (we always recommend factoring in about 12.5% of whatever your wedding budget is, in this case, the average figure of €36,000, for unexpected expenses - here's why).

We hope this helps you get a gauge on what you might expect to spend on your wedding. Of course, if you're having a marquee wedding, there will be a whole other set of costs, get our breakdown here. We have more tips on how to work out your wedding budget below and how to save money. And if you'd like to see what real couples are actually spending on their weddings, click here! But for now, remember it's about deciding on your priorities and working out your budget from there. If style is important to you, swap out some decor to spend more on shoes, if a big party is what you're after, spend less on the dress and focus on drinks and entertainment, or maybe you want a really cosy romantic atmosphere, then it's all about the ceremony, the venue - and the candle budget!

Further reading for couples who are newly engaged: