What does a wedding cost in Germany? Honest numbers for 2026
€17,000 on average, but that’s only the start. An honest breakdown of real wedding costs in Germany.
The honest answer to “what does a wedding cost?” is: between €5,000 and €50,000. Not terribly helpful. So here’s a breakdown with real numbers from Germany 2026, sorted by the biggest line items.
Total cost on average
According to the Bridebook Wedding Report 2026, the average German wedding costs around €17,000, without honeymoon or engagement ring. The WeddyPlace report lands at €14,000–€15,000. Others calculate €16,500 including the engagement ring.
What to take from these numbers: the range is huge. Roughly 10 % of couples spend under €5,000; around 2 % over €40,000. Most end up somewhere between €12,000 and €22,000, with 60 to 80 guests.
What the individual line items typically cost
Venue, usually the biggest item
€8,000 to €10,000 on average. That’s about 40 % of the total budget. A barn or restaurant can start at €1,500; a castle or city event venue often runs €5,000 to €15,000. Tip: community halls, clubhouses or small hotels are often much cheaper than the top spots on wedding portals.
Catering, the second big block
€3,500 to €5,500 for reception drinks plus main menu or buffet for about 60 guests. Per person, budget €60 to €120 for food plus €30 to €60 for drinks. Providing your own drinks (paying a corkage fee) often saves €10 to €20 per person.
Outfits
Wedding dress: €1,000 to €3,000 on average, plus shoes, jewellery, veil (another €300 to €800 combined). Groom’s suit: €500 to €1,500 including shoes and accessories. Day-of styling (make-up, hair, possibly a trial): €400 to €800.
Photographer and videographer
Photographer: €1,500 to €3,500 for a full day. Add a videographer: another €1,500 to €3,000. It sounds like a lot, but it’s one of the few line items you still have something from for the rest of your life.
Music
DJ: €800 to €1,500. Wedding band: €2,000 to €5,000. For comparison: a singer or string quartet for the reception alone usually runs €300 to €600.
Flowers and decor
Bridal bouquet: €80 to €200. Table décor and venue flowers: €800 to €2,500. It depends a lot on style. Dried flowers and pampas grass are often cheaper than lush fresh arrangements with peonies or hydrangeas.
Wedding rings
€700 to €2,500 for the pair. Gold has become much more expensive in the last two years; palladium or carbon are cheaper alternatives with a similar look.
Registry office and paperwork
€70 to €200 in fees for registering the marriage. Plus certifications for birth certificates and translations, if someone was born abroad.
Invitations and stationery
€300 to €800 for save-the-date, invitations, place cards, menu cards, thank-you cards. Going digital cuts that by two-thirds.
Wedding cake
€300 to €800 for a three-tier cake for 60 to 80 people. Cupcakes or a sweet-table setup are often cheaper.
Small items that get forgotten
- Celebrant: €700 to €1,500
- Guest favours: €100 to €300
- Wedding-night hotel: €150 to €400
- Tips: €200 to €500 total
- Wedding insurance (optional): €80 to €200
The typical 60-guest wedding, in numbers
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Venue | €4,500 |
| Catering incl. drinks | €5,000 |
| Bride’s outfit complete | €2,000 |
| Groom’s outfit | €800 |
| Photographer | €2,000 |
| DJ | €1,000 |
| Flowers & décor | €1,200 |
| Wedding rings | €1,500 |
| Stationery | €400 |
| Cake | €400 |
| Celebrant | €1,000 |
| Miscellaneous (tips, hotel, favours) | €700 |
| Total | €20,500 |
More realistic than the €17,000 from studies, because most studies leave items out.
Where you can realistically save
Anyone who does the honest maths sees: the biggest levers are venue, guest count and catering. Going from 80 to 50 guests saves €3,000 to €5,000, not just on food, but on invitations, seats, favours.
Other savings:
- Marry on a Thursday or Sunday (venue often 20 to 40 % cheaper)
- Marry off-season (November to March)
- Provide your own drinks (if the venue allows it)
- Second-hand or outlet wedding dress
- Pick seasonal flowers
- Use your own playlist instead of a DJ
- Digital invitations with an RSVP system instead of printed cards
Where not to save
- On photography and/or video. The images stay forever.
- On the venue if the place truly matters to you, compensate elsewhere.
- On the food if you’re foodies. Bad food is remembered by every guest.
- On your own rest. Plan breaks into the day.
What Marrily takes off your plate
In Marrily the budget isn’t an empty table where you have to create 13 categories yourself. Miri distributes your total budget automatically across the typical line items, with current benchmark values. You see instantly where you’re above or below average, and can shift what matters most. With a built-in buffer so there are no surprises at the end.
