Weddings in Italia: rising costs up to 118,000 euros. Strategies for saving money
This is what emerges from the study carried out by Federconsumatori's National Observatory, which records an increase in costs of up to 11% compared to last year
Key points
Getting married costs money. And expensive too, as the costs for a wedding with 100 guests can reach more than 100,000 euros. Perhaps this is also the reason why there has been a 5.9 per cent drop in celebrations and festivities compared to last year. Recounting this contraction is the report by Onf, the Federconsumatori national observatory, which has updated the costs that couples and their families have to face for the big event.
Up to 11%
The study shows an increase in costs from a minimum of 4 per cent to a maximum of 11 per cent. "In 2026, the total cost of a traditional wedding with 100 guests," the report reads, "may range from EUR 48,018.00 to EUR 118,072.00.
The biggest expense concerns the venue, but that is only the starting point. Because then there are the bills for live music, and lunch. We are at 42% of the total expenditure. In this case you can end up paying up to 35,000 euros.
For the look up to 12 thousand euro
Then there is the expenditure for the bride and groom's look: in this case it can be up to 12.5 thousand euro. In this case you have to put together both the clothes and the other expenses ranging from shoes to hairdressing, from make-up to accessories. Not forgetting the other costs, starting with the decorations, which can be close to 10 thousand euros. The photo and video service that can exceed 5 thousand euros. The cost of the honeymoon, although very often included in the so-called wedding list, is close to 13 thousand euros. And then car hire, wedding invitations, wedding favours, bouquets. And insurance policy that costs around 200 euros and guarantees protection, with a maximum of 15 thousand euros in the event of cancellation.
Between sacrifices and low-cost solutions
"It is a considerable expense, prohibitive for many: it is no coincidence that not only renunciations are increasing, but also the disparities and inequalities in this sector," Federconsumatori emphasises. "In fact, while the 'luxury' wedding knows no crisis, those who are not willing to spend such onerous sums to celebrate one of the most important days of their lives with friends and relatives are forced to resort to low-cost solutions and strategies. One of them above all, which is the main solution, is to "reduce the number of guests, opting for aperitifs and buffets instead of the classic lunch/dinner: in this way, you can save up to 60% of the expense".
