69% of married couples felt ‘pressured’ to blow past wedding budget: survey

A new survey has revealed that 69% of married couples in Canada feel pressured to exceed their wedding budget, according to Wealthsimple. This survey, which polled over 1,200 individuals, found that the average couple had budgeted $15,000 for their wedding, but the final cost often exceeded $25,000, representing a 70% increase. Most of the budget came from personal savings, with the remaining funds coming from family, credit cards, or lines of credit.

The survey suggests that the average wedding in Canada now costs closer to $37,000 due to a small number of very expensive events.

Nearly a third of newlyweds reported that money became a point of tension with their family and friends during the planning process. Guests and wedding-party members also reported feeling financially stressed by attending weddings, with 36% stating they had turned down at least one wedding or pre-event invite, such as a bachelorette party, in the past three years. Twenty-two percent of guests reported spending more than $1,000 to attend a single wedding, while 39% of wedding party members said they spent at least $2,000.

A May 2026 Royal Lepage survey indicates that many Canadians are willing to skip traditional wedding gifts in favor of cash to help the couple purchase a home. Nearly eight in 10 Canadians (79%) would consider requesting money for a down payment as a wedding gift rather than a traditional gift, with 37% saying they would definitely do this and 42% indicating they might.