The cost of a wedding in Switzerland
- Vanessa
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
One of the first questions couples should ask themselves when planning their wedding is: "How much can or do we want to spend on our wedding?" But what does a wedding in Switzerland actually cost? In this article, I’ll give you an overview that will help you set a realistic budget for your dream wedding. We’ll base this on an average wedding with about 80-100 guests.
Key Cost Categories
A wedding consists of many elements. Depending on your preferences, the number of guests, and the location, prices can vary significantly. Here are the most important categories:
Venue & Catering
Wedding Dress, Suit & Rings
Photography & Videography
Decoration & Floristry
Ceremony
Music & Entertainment
Stationery & Guest Favors
Beauty & Styling
Other Costs
Venue & Catering
Choosing the venue is usually the largest cost factor. I recommend not spending more than 50% of your budget on the venue and catering. In Switzerland, a wedding venue with catering typically costs between CHF 15'000–40'000. Naturally, the price depends on the type of venue. A barn is much cheaper than a luxury hotel or a castle.
For catering, you can expect around CHF 150–300 per person, depending on the menu, number of courses, and beverages. Some venues offer a wedding package, which includes room rental, furniture, food, and drinks. Be sure to keep an eye out for hidden costs (more on that at the end of the blog).
For a wedding cake from a cake designer for 80-100 people, expect to pay CHF 1'300–1'600, plus delivery.
Wedding Dress, Suit & Rings
The cost of wedding outfits depends on the wishes and ideas of the couple. Most brides budget CHF 1'500–5'000 for their wedding dress (excluding shoes, jewelry, and alterations). A quality suit for the groom often starts at CHF 1'000, but it can be more, especially if it’s custom-made. Don’t forget to account for shoes and accessories as well.
When it comes to wedding rings, there are many ways to personalize them. Depending on the material, design, and manufacturer, prices can vary widely. A pair of gold rings can easily cost CHF 3'000. It’s best to consult with an expert, such as Jean Studer.
Photography & Videography
Many photographers and videographers offer various wedding packages to ensure perfect support for your big day. For a full-day package, the price for a single photographer ranges from CHF 3'300–6'000. If you want an additional videographer, you can roughly double that cost. Some offer combined packages, which are often a little cheaper.
Flowers & Decoration
Flowers, candles, table decorations, seating plans, welcome signs, and more give your wedding a personal touch. The cost will depend on your wishes and ideas.
Especially when it comes to flowers, the type of flowers and how many you want for your big day play a big role. A basic investment for ceremony, aperitif, and dinner decorations, as well as a bridal bouquet and boutonnières for the groom and groomsmen, starts at CHF 4'500. A more elaborate decoration with a “wow factor” starts at CHF 10'000.
This includes many hours of work by skilled florists, who spend hours creating the perfect setting for your dream day.
Ceremony
The ceremony is a central part of any wedding and can be tailored to the couple's wishes. In Switzerland, there are three main options:
Civil Ceremony: This is the only legally recognized form of marriage in Switzerland. It usually takes place at the registry office but can also be held at special locations. Costs vary by municipality and venue but typically range between CHF 150-500, including fees for preparation and the ceremony itself.
Religious Ceremony: For couples with a religious background, a church wedding offers a solemn and spiritual setting. Costs often include a voluntary donation to the church (approximately CHF 200-500) and additional expenses for decorations, flowers, and music.
Symbolic Ceremony: This option provides maximum flexibility and personalization. A professional wedding officiant designs the ceremony according to the couple's desires, whether in nature, a castle, or another unique location. Costs for an independent ceremony are generally between CHF 2'000-4'000, depending on the officiant’s experience and specific requirements.
Each option has its own charm and cost range, allowing couples to create a ceremony that aligns with their vision and budget.
Music & Entertainment
There are many options for musical entertainment, from a wedding singer and guitarist to a full orchestra. The cost will depend on your preferences:
For a DJ in the evening, prices range from CHF 1'500–3'000.
For musicians for the ceremony, expect to pay about CHF 600 per musician, plus travel costs and equipment.
A live band starts at around CHF 3'000, depending on the duration of the performance.
Stationery & Guest Favors
It’s difficult to estimate the cost of wedding stationery. From save-the-date cards, invitations, seating plans, name cards, menu cards, and thank-you cards, you could spend several thousand CHF on stationery. For high-quality invitations from a designer, budget at least CHF 2'000.
For guest favors, there are many design options. Generally, you can expect to pay CHF 5–15 per guest favor.
Beauty & Styling
For hair and makeup on the wedding day, including a trial styling, you should budget CHF 700–1'500. The wedding day often begins with a relaxing “getting ready” by a professional stylist, ensuring your look lasts all day and looks perfect. The trial styling helps you figure out which hairstyle, makeup, and products work best for you and your preferences.
Other Costs
Don’t forget to inquire about other potential costs. Always plan a buffer for things like tips. Here is a small list of additional costs:
Transportation: Especially important if you have multiple locations. Make sure your guests can get from one place to another. It can also be nice for you to travel separately and incorporate a photo session along the way.
Bar Drinks: Most wedding packages include drinks for the aperitif and dinner. However, if you want something special, such as cocktails or schnapps, especially for the party, this is often charged per consumption. Alcohol is always a significant cost factor. If the budget is tight, I recommend setting a budget with the venue for bar drinks. Once that budget is reached, you can decide whether to continue paying or have your guests pay for their own drinks.
Accommodation: Naturally, you should stay in a nice place for your wedding night to reflect on the day and relax. Check with your venue to see if they offer rooms and whether they might offer a complimentary upgrade for your wedding night.
Late-Night Fee: Many venues allow the celebration until 10:00 PM. After that, there is often a fee for late-night hours, which is usually charged per hour. Clarify in advance how long you can celebrate and whether the volume needs to be regulated.
Staff: For your big day, there are staff costs for service personnel, technicians, chefs, etc. Find out how many staff members will be with you throughout the celebration and whether the costs differ for daytime and evening staff.
Corkage & Plate Fees: If you bring your own drinks, you’ll often be charged a corkage fee per bottle. This is to encourage the purchase of drinks from the venue. The same applies if the cake is delivered externally. The plate fee covers a fork, plate, and the cutting and serving of the cake.
Wedding Planner: Just a Luxury?
A wedding planner not only saves you a lot of stress but also ensures everything runs smoothly on your big day. Thanks to their vast network and special deals, they can even help you save money. The investment for a wedding planner in Switzerland for full planning and support on the wedding day typically ranges from CHF 5'000-10'000 and should not exceed 10-15% of the total budget.
Furthermore, with a wedding planner, you ensure that your investment doesn’t look like a birthday party. The high quality and careful selection of service providers contribute significantly to the overall impression.
Conclusion: How much does a wedding really cost?
Overall, a wedding in Switzerland typically costs between CHF 40'000-100'000. However, even with a smaller budget, a beautiful wedding is possible. Prioritize what is most important to you and adjust the rest accordingly. You can save money by making your own decorations, having a smaller guest list, or getting married outside the peak season and on weekdays.
Are you ready to plan your dream wedding? I look forward to hearing from you!
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