According to the annual survey of Irish weddings conducted by weddingsonline, the average cost of a wedding in Ireland has increased by 3.96 per cent over the past year. Based on responses from more than 641 participants in January 2025, the study shows that couples are now spending, on average, €34,392, excluding honeymoon expenses.
The survey also reports that the average price per guest meal has risen to €93.00, reinforcing how catering costs continue to drive overall wedding budgets.
Despite rising costs, couples’ decision-making seems driven less by price than by reputation and preference. According to the survey, 51 per cent of couples rely heavily on reviews and recommendations when selecting suppliers, while 28 per cent base their choices on a favourite vendor. Only 11 per cent say cost is their primary deciding factor.
The data further suggests evolving trends in how weddings are planned and staged today. Friday and Saturday remain the dominant choices for wedding dates, accounting for 71 per cent of weddings, while Thursday and Sunday ceremonies have grown in popularity (16 per cent and 4 per cent respectively ).
Seasonally, weddings are concentrated in the summer months, with 37 per cent of couples marrying between July and September, and 33 per cent choosing the spring season from April through June. As for engagements, 23 per cent of couples propose in December, with the remaining months trending between 5 per cent and 10 per cent.
The survey also notes shifts in engagement lengths: 41 per cent of couples now wait more than two years to marry, whereas only 7 per cent wed within a year of engagement.
Other insights include average guest lists of 154 people, a wedding party averaging eight members, and finance strategies where 31 per cent of couples received parental support and 34 per cent took out loans to cover costs.
When it comes to wedding styles, hotel venues remain the preferred choice for 59 per cent of couples, followed by country houses (20 per cent ) and castles (13 per cent ).
The report also includes breakdowns of average spending across wedding categories: the engagement ring averages €3,095, the wedding dress €2,054, photography €2,108, videography €1,779, and décor for both venue and ceremony areas running into several hundreds of euros. Hair and makeup, entertainment, stationery, and car hire all contribute significant proportions of the budget.
In summary, while the cost of weddings in Ireland continues to climb, couples appear to be placing greater weight on quality, reputation, and personal preference than purely on cost considerations. With many reporting overruns, 51 per cent of respondents said they exceeded their budget, and 78 per cent overspent by more than €5,000.
