What Your Wedding Budget Really Gets You in Ireland – from €10K to €80K
Let’s talk real numbers. You’ve probably seen wedding budgets tossed around like confetti — €10K here, €60K there — but what do those figures actually get you?
This guide breaks it down clearly so you can see what’s possible at every budget level, from laid back micro weddings to large multi-day celebrations.
If You Have €10,000: Small, meaningful, and focused.
You can absolutely have a beautiful wedding — you just need to keep your priorities tight and your guest list smaller.
What’s Possible:
~40 guests
Registrar ceremony
Private room or restaurant hire for dinner
DJ for a casual dance floor after dinner
Bouquet + buttonhole from a local florist
Local photographer (2–3 hours)
Open bar
Wedding attire from Asos or similar
You’ll skip elaborate extras, but still have a fantastic, joy-filled day.
If You Have €20,000: Still intimate, but with a little more breathing room.
With double the budget, you can afford a few more guests and a slightly elevated experience.
What’s Possible:
~60 guests
Private room in a nice hotel or restaurant
Civil ceremony at the venue or registrar’s office
DJ to cover the whole day’s music
Photographer (6 hours)
Personal flowers + minimal table décor
Open bar
Some help with setup or styling
Still mostly DIY, but with a little backup and more room for atmosphere.
If You Have €40,000: Now you’re in full wedding territory.
This is where the wedding starts to feel more immersive and curated — with more flexibility and a few upgrades.
What’s Possible:
~80 guests
Boutique hotel or exclusive hire venue
Civil ceremony on site
Photographer for full-day coverage
Band or DJ (or both)
Medium floral package — bridal party + ceremony (repurposed for reception)
Some design or coordination support
Hair, makeup, transport, stationery
It’s still smartly planned, but with more creativity and guest comfort.
If You Have €60,000: A more elevated guest experience.
This budget allows you to bring in more professional support and invest in extras that make a real impact.
What’s Possible:
~100 guests
Full-service venue hire
Two-day celebration (e.g. BBQ or brunch)
Full floral design (repurposed carefully or focused feature pieces)
Ceremony musicians, band + DJ
Full-day photo + video coverage
Partial planning service or coordination
Custom stationery, shuttles, guest comfort details
There’s more breathing room — for you and your guests.
If You Have €80,000: A fully immersive, guest-first celebration.
You can now design a stress-free, multi-day wedding with professional support from start to finish.
What’s Possible:
~80–100 guests
Private venue for multiple days
Full wedding planner
Custom floral installations + styling
Photography + videography (all day)
Ceremony + dinner styling, drinks stations, extra rentals
Band, DJ, and late bar
Bespoke stationery, signage, menus
Guest extras: welcome gift, farewell brunch, shuttles
This is where the experience becomes truly seamless, immersive, and unforgettable.
Final Thoughts: What Really Drives Wedding Cost?
It’s not about the number — it’s about priorities.
No matter your budget, you can have an incredible wedding. But you do need to understand what’s realistic at different levels to avoid frustration.
Here’s what matters most:
Guest count drives everything. Every extra person means another meal, chair, drink, favour.
Venue and food are your biggest costs. They typically eat up 50% of the budget.
A high-impact design is possible at every level — it just requires clever repurposing and restraint.
💬 Related post: How to Set a Realistic Wedding Budget in Ireland
🛠️ Helpful digital tool: Budget & Vendor Planning Spreadsheet – plan your spend and stay on track