It’s normal to get sticker shock when planning your wedding. Creating your Prince Edward County wedding budget is no exception. When you start to plan your wedding, you might be tempted to Google the “average wedding cost” and come up with a number around the $30,000 mark (which for the average 100-150 person wedding, doesn’t get you much). But I know that you don’t want average. Your wedding budget should always reflect you and your priorities, first and foremost. Because I know you might have arrived here hoping for the magic number, the couples I work with typically spend a minimum of $40,000 for their Prince Edward County wedding. You don’t need to take my word for it but keep reading to find out what exactly that gets you. And if you want the beauty of the destination at a smaller price point, you might want to consider cutting your guest list and hosting a micro wedding (that doesn’t sacrifice your wish list).

As a wedding planner, creating a comprehensive wedding budget is one of the first things I do with all of my couples. If you start to look at the numbers and feel a sense of overwhelm (or any feeling that takes you away from what you should be feeling – excited!), let’s connect here. It would bring me nothing but joy than to bring your wedding vision to life. I never miss an opportunity to head down to Prince Edward County. It’s truly one of the most incredible places in the world.

Prince Edward County Wedding Venues

You should always have at least a general idea of your wedding budget before starting to look at wedding venues. A wedding venue can eat up a majority of your wedding budget before you even realize what happened. As well, when you book a wedding venue, you might find you are committing to more than you realize. Certain venues may have a lower rental fee but have add ons and preferred vendors that can be quite costly.

When it comes to your Prince Edward County wedding budget, there are really two approaches we can take. First, we can choose a venue like a private residence or outdoor tented venue, which typically have a lower rental fee but require everything (chairs, tables, etc) to be brought in. Or, depending on your wedding day vision, you may choose a venue with a higher rental fee and more inclusions. There is no right or wrong decision, but it’s also not a decision to make lightly. I know I’m biased, but this is exactly why you hire a wedding planner. You can learn more about my wedding planning services here. My recommendation will always be to hire the support you need now, and avoid costly mistakes later.

Prince Edward County Wedding Ceremony

Although your wedding ceremony is often less expensive than the reception, it’s one of my favorite moments of the day. After all, your reception is a party but your ceremony is where you become husband and wife. It should not be overlooked (especially if you are a romantic, like I am). When creating your wedding ceremony budget, you will need to factor in wedding decor like: chairs, aisle markers, an altar and a custom calligraphy wedding welcome sign. Logistically, you may also want to consider a sound system, welcome cocktails for your guests and of course an officiant! You will also want to set aside a portion of your wedding ceremony budget for florals, although you may be able to repurpose some of the floral pieces for your wedding reception. I love to reuse as much as we can.

Prince Edward County Wedding Reception

Your wedding reception will almost always take up the majority (at least 50%) of your budget. At minimum, your wedding reception budget needs to include your venue rental, catering, bar services, wedding cake, lighting, and entertainment. Although some say wedding favours are overrated, I always love when couples show their guests a little piece of appreciation. In Prince Edward County I love when couples use them to share a little piece of the destination with their guests.

Like I mentioned earlier with choosing a wedding venue, you will be building your reception from the ground up or using a more traditional venue. Either way, I usually recommend upgrading chairs (chiavari or crossback chairs are always popular but there are really SO many stunning and unique options) and adding in some lounge furniture for cocktail hour. When setting your wedding reception decor budget, you might want to consider on every table: upgraded linens, silverware, charger plates, napkins, menu cards, place cards, and centrepieces. Your centerpieces can include candles, florals, table numbers, and more. Don’t forget to design the other tables you might need as well (for example: your seating chart, guest book, gift table, and cake table). This is exactly why you hire a wedding planner who helps you with the design. There are so many more pieces that come together than you might initially realize.

Wedding Attire, Beauty Services & Stationery

Regardless of where you get married, there are certain costs that remain the same. I personally melt when I get my hands on luxury stationery and love when my couples splurge on special touches like calligraphy and wax seals. The invitation is your guests’ first impression and you’ll want to invest in something that gets them just as excited about your love story as you are.

You’ll also want to set aside a portion of your budget for your wedding day attire and beauty services. I truly believe your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you should spoil yourself a little. Get the wedding dress, veil, suit, tie, shoes that you want. You want to look and feel your absolute best. Beauty services start with the makeup artists and hair stylists you bring in on your wedding day (and don’t forget to budget for your trial). You also might want to consider any pre-wedding day services as well. These typically aren’t included in your overall wedding budget but I highly recommend you budget for a spa day anyway. Take advantage of one of the incredible spas in Prince Edward County! The Bloomfield Beauty Co. is a local favourite.

Wedding Photography and Videography

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to invest in a wedding photographer and videographer to document your day. At the end of the day, you only leave with your photos, your video and your memories. I always love helping my couples find a wedding photographer and videographer whose style they love – we have so many talented wedding photographers and videographers in Prince Edward County. Holly McMurter is a local favourite and one of my good friends – she’s a must-have for your County wedding! When creating your budget for photo and video, make sure to set aside a portion for an album as well. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Your Destination Wedding in Canada

If you are looking for a destination wedding in Canada, or a dreamy location for your wedding weekend in Ontario, I can’t imagine a better location than Prince Edward County. It truly is like our own Canadian version of the Hamptons, and I’ve always felt so deeply connected to this destination. I would love to help turn your destination wedding weekend visions into a reality. We can really create an entire experience for your guests, from the rehearsal dinner to the morning after brunch. If the majority of your guest list is not local, we can also plan an excursion or group activity. You’ll want to share the joy of Prince Edward County destination with your guests!

As far as your Prince Edward County wedding budget goes, I hope this post has given you some idea of where to start. The first step is always breaking down your unique budget and wish list so don’t let this process overwhelm you. If you’re looking for a Prince Edward County wedding planner to help you every step of the way, you can learn more about my wedding planning packages here. If you are curious about Prince Edward County (or you love the destination as much as I do), let’s connect.