As an experienced Ottawa wedding planner, I get asked all the time: “How much does a wedding in Ottawa actually cost?” If you’ve been researching online, you’ve probably seen the same $40,000 number floating around on various big blog sites. But let’s be real—that number has barely changed since 2007! If you’re dreaming of a stunning, guest-centered celebration with incredible food, top-tier entertainment, and gorgeous details, you’re likely looking at a much different price tag. 

Let’s break it down. We recently crunched the numbers from 17 of our 2024 weddings, and I’ll be honest—it was tempting to remove the outliers that were skewing some averages. But I decided to keep everything as-is to give you a transparent, realistic view of wedding costs for our couples. While these figures represent averages, it’s important to note that individual weddings can vary significantly based on personal priorities and vendor selections. So, if you love some good stats, here’s what we found!

The Big Picture: Our average Wedding Costs in Ottawa

• Average Guest Count: 133

• Average Budget: $97,000

Important to note: These numbers include Canada’s 13% tax and standard (mandatory) 15-18% gratuities on food and beverage!

What Couples Are Spending: Category Breakdown

Food & Beverage (A Major Expense at Ottawa Venues)

• Total Average: $51,205

• Per Person: $385

Catering and bar services are often the biggest portion of any wedding budget. Our couples are prioritizing high-quality, chef-driven menus and premium bar offerings, which significantly impact this category.

Beauty (Hair & Makeup for Ottawa Weddings)

• Hair: $1625 ($255 per person)

• Makeup: $1553 ($253 per person)

I always recommend professional stylists and makeup artists who specialize in long-lasting services that will look amazing in your photos but also last all day and into the night!

Florals, Rentals & Decor (Transforming Ottawa Wedding Venues)

• Total Average: $31,521

• Per Person: $237

Lush florals, statement décor, and elegant rentals create the wow-factor that so many couples dream of. This category covers everything from bouquets to elaborate tablescapes and custom installations. This category often surprises couples the most and has a vast range depending on the level of luxury our couples want to achieve.

Entertainment & Music (Ottawa Wedding DJs & Live Bands)

• DJ: $3086

• Live Band: $17,340

• Other Entertainment: $1045

• Live Ceremony/Cocktail Music: $1390

Couples are prioritizing live entertainment—whether that’s a full band, an interactive DJ experience, or unique entertainment elements to keep guests engaged throughout the night. Our couples often want to combine live music for their ceremony and cocktail hour but then a DJ for the evening into party time.

Photography & Videography (Capturing Your Ottawa Wedding)

• Photography: $5655

• Videography: $5662

• Photo Booth: $1467

Capturing the memories of the day and having beautiful photography and videography are a priority for our couples. I generally recommend couples budget around $6,000 to $7,000 if they prioritize photography and videography. Some lower end photography packages were skewing our averages for 2024.

Other Wedding Categories

• Officiant: $663
• Stationery: $1473
• Dance Floor Print: $1954
• Cake: $677 (It’s important to note that our couples rarely have cake for all guests – generally for 40% or even less as its served with late night food)
• Favours: $392

These extra details help personalize a wedding and create a polished guest experience. Whether it’s a custom dance floor wrap or a beautifully designed invitation suite, these elements add a unique touch. While some of our couples choose to skip one or more of these categories, it’s important to budget for the ones that matter most to you. For example, in Quebec, a friend can obtain a one-day officiant license, eliminating the need for a professional officiant. Some couples opt out of printed invitations, a cake, or favors, and at certain venues, a dance floor wrap may not be necessary. These are also areas where you can trim costs if you’re looking to keep your budget in check without sacrificing the overall experience

What Couples are Spending: Ranges

Average costs don’t always tell the full story when it comes to wedding budgets. Every couple has different priorities—some may splurge on photography and videography to capture every moment, while others focus on jaw-dropping florals or top-tier entertainment. The vendors you love might fall at the higher end of the price range, which can significantly impact your overall costs. To help you plan with confidence, here’s a breakdown of the price ranges we saw across different categories—so you can estimate costs based on what matters most to you.

How Guest Count Impacts Your Wedding Budget

One of the most effective ways to manage your wedding budget is by adjusting your guest count. Every additional guest comes with a minimum cost of $300-$400 for food and bar alone. This doesn’t even include the decor elements that come with each guest—think chairs, charger plates, cutlery, table linens, and centerpieces. While prioritizing different aspects of your wedding can help shape your budget, guest count is the single biggest factor that impacts overall costs. Ask yourself this question if you want to limit your guest count: “Would I invite this person out for an expensive dinner and offer to pay the bill?” If the answer is no, maybe they shouldn’t make the guest list!

How Much Should You Budget for Your Ottawa Wedding?

If you’ve been wondering why your Pinterest-perfect wedding vision doesn’t match up with those $40,000 estimates, now you know why! The reality is that weddings featuring exquisite food, immersive experiences, and beautiful design come with a higher price tag.

Of course, every couple’s priorities are different, and there are ways to adjust your budget based on what’s most important to you. Whether you’re planning a wedding in Ottawa or just starting to explore costs, I hope this breakdown helps give you a more realistic understanding of what to expect. Having an experienced Wedding Planner that understands the local market will help you also manage your costs. So if you are looking at having an extraordinary wedding experience let’s set up a free consultation!

Have questions about budgeting for your Ottawa wedding? Drop them in the comments—I’m always happy to help!

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Up Next!

Wedding Planner vs. Venue Coordinator: Who Does What?! Your venue coordinator manages the venue—but who’s managing your wedding? Find out why both roles matter and why a planner is essential.

POST INFO AND CREDITS

• • Published on March 16th 2025
  • Photography by Scott H Wilson Photography, Agatha Rowland, Palm Tree Studio, Lauren McCormick Photography

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