For most people, your wedding will be your life’s most elaborate (and expensive) celebration. Whether you’ve daydreamed about walking down the aisle in a white dress since childhood or can’t wait to have the most extravagant midnight snack bar your foodie heart desires, the cost of wedding culture in North America has skyrocketed in recent years due to inflation. After all, according to Spring Financial, the average wedding cost is between $22,000 and $30,000, with The Knot also reporting that Canadians spend approximately $27,000 on their big day.
At the same time, many couples consider investing in property during this stage of life. Moving away from living with roommates, starting married life in a new city, or finding a new home to begin their married life is appealing to many. But as wedding costs escalate and the time required to save for a down payment in the Canadian housing market lengthens, couples often face the dilemma of choosing between saving for a wedding or allocating that money toward a down payment on a home.
With this in mind, Zoocasa analyzed the price it costs to celebrate saying “I Do” and how it compares to the cost of the minimum down payment for average-priced homes. For this report, we rounded the average wedding spend to $30,000. Average home prices were sourced from the latest report from the Canadian Real Estate Association, and monthly mortgage payments were calculated using the realtor.ca mortgage affordability calculator. This calculation assumes a 25-year amortization and a 5-year fixed rate of 4.44%.
As per Government of Canada regulations, the minimum down payment amount is based on the purchase price and is calculated as follows:
-Purchase price of $500,000 or less: 5% of the purchase price
-Purchase price of $500,000 to $999,999: 5% of the first $500,000 of the purchase price, 10% of the portion of the purchase price above $500,000
-Purchase price of $1 million or more: 20% of the purchase price
Related: How Much Money Homeowners Will Save With Lower Rates
How to Make the Most of $30,000
In 56% of Canada’s major real estate markets, a down payment is more affordable than hosting a wedding at the average cost. Specifically, in cities such as Regina, Saguenay CMA, Saint John, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Trois-Rivières CMA, the down payment can be nearly half the average $30,000 wedding cost. Although opting for a wedding might be more affordable, investing additional funds into a larger down payment can lead to greater long-term financial security by reducing interest payments.
Related: How A Larger Down Payment Will Change Your Monthly Mortgage Payment Across Canada
Tying the Knot or Signing the Deed: Smart Financial Moves for Newlyweds
In Halifax-Dartmouth, Windsor-Essex, and Calgary, the average down payment for a property ranges between $30,000 and $40,000. Although this is higher than the $30,000 average cost of a wedding, according to The 2024 Knot Real Weddings Study, 56% of couples spent more than they had planned on their weddings by an average of $7,900 USD, which equals $10,716 CAD.
If couples spend over $11,000 more on their big day, weddings will become almost as costly as a down payment in these cities. By opting for a down payment over a wedding, couples can gain long-term financial benefits and stability through property investment.
Related: Save Big: The Impact of Increasing Your Mortgage Payment Frequency in Canada
Planning for Your Happily Ever After
In regions like Greater Toronto, Fraser Valley, and Greater Vancouver, where average home prices exceed $1M, a 20% down payment is required for properties over seven figures. However, this can still encourage couples to consider scaling back their wedding plans to free up funds for a down payment.
Even in locations where down payments are higher, such as British Columbia and larger cities in Ontario, there are still viable ways to invest in property. For example, couples can look for entry-level starter homes or condo apartments outside major cities, where prices are significantly lower than the average home price. In some cities, thanks to the high inventory of condo apartments, they could potentially score a deal, as condo apartments offer a more affordable entry into the housing market.
All in all, deciding between having a wedding or using the money for a down payment is a personal choice, and family and cultural influences can play a significant role. If you decide to cut back on wedding expenses and save for a down payment instead, many registry sites allow guests to contribute cash funds as wedding gifts. These contributions can be used for various purposes, such as a down payment on a home, renovations, moving expenses, or furniture.
Are you thinking about buying or selling a home with your significant other? Our real estate agents are here to help. Call us today to speak to an agent in your area.
