“It’s because of the word ‘wedding’!”
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that, I could probably fund an entire wedding! But here’s the thing: while the word wedding does influence pricing, it’s not because vendors are slapping on extra costs just for fun. Weddings cost more because the stakes are so much higher. Let’s dive into why that’s true and why it’s actually a good thing for your big day.
Why Weddings Cost More: The Stakes Are Higher
Picture this: you’re ordering a birthday cake. You go into the bakery, choose a design and select a date for collection. On the day, you pick it up and place it in the fridge until it’s time to pull it out, stick some candles in it and sing ‘Happy Birthday’. Then, it will be hacked up to feed the group of people in attendance before the leftovers are placed in the fridge for you to enjoy later.
Now, imagine ordering a wedding cake. Sure, the ingredients might be the same, but the expectations are completely different. A wedding cake needs to be flawless. It’s usually delivered to the wedding venue where the final touches are added by hand and then it has to stand up to hours of scrutiny (and photos!); its intricate details that required hours—sometimes days—of work to perfect on display for all to see.
The same applies to so many elements of a wedding. Flowers for a bouquet from your local shop might look lovely on your kitchen table, but they don’t need to survive hours of holding, tossing, hugging, and photos in all kinds of weather. A wedding bouquet does. And that’s why it takes a skilled florist with the right techniques to ensure it lasts the entire day—and looks perfect.
Wedding Professionals: Masters of Precision Under Pressure
When you hire a wedding professional, you’re not just paying for a service—you’re paying for expertise under pressure. Take photography, for example. A family beach shoot might result in dozens of nice photos. But at a wedding, moments like the first kiss, the tearful vows, or the reaction to the first dance are one-time-only. You can’t recreate those moments, and your photographer needs the skills and experience to nail it every time.
And it’s not just photographers. Every wedding vendor works under immense pressure to ensure everything is perfect. There are no do-overs and no second chances, and that’s why you want someone who’s prepared to handle anything—from unexpected rain to a last-minute schedule change—with calm professionalism.
Time, Effort, and Emotional Investment
Behind every flawless wedding moment is hours upon hours of preparation. Florists don’t just whip up a bouquet; they design, plan, and assemble it to ensure it’s both beautiful and durable. Caterers spend days perfecting menus, sourcing ingredients, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on the day.
And let’s not forget the emotional investment. Weddings aren’t just another event. Vendors pour their hearts into making your day as special and stress-free as possible. That level of care and dedication takes time, effort, and yes, money.
The “Wedding Tax”: Myth vs. Reality
Let’s talk about the so-called “wedding tax”—the idea that things cost more just because they’re for a wedding. While it might feel like that’s the case, the reality is that weddings demand a level of quality, attention to detail, and emotional labour that other events simply don’t.
For example, a $20 bouquet from the supermarket isn’t designed to withstand hours of holding, tossing, and being the centrepiece of countless photos. A $200 wedding bouquet is. Similarly, a $50 birthday cake doesn’t need to serve hundreds of guests, hold up under hot lights, and look picture-perfect in front of a crowd of people and cameras.
Weddings cost more because they require more. More skill, more precision, and more care.
Why It’s Worth It: Peace of Mind on Your Big Day
At the end of the day, the extra cost is about ensuring peace of mind. When you hire experienced wedding professionals, you’re investing in their ability to handle the unexpected, to deliver perfection, and to make sure your wedding day is everything you dreamed it would be.
Think about it: would you want your one-and-only wedding cake to collapse? Or your first kiss photo to be blurry? Of course not. And that’s why the investment is worth it.
A Note to Fellow Vendors: Owning Your Value
To my fellow wedding professionals: it’s up to us to communicate our value to clients. It’s not about overcharging; it’s about educating couples on what goes into creating their dream day. Don’t shy away from explaining the time, skill, and care you bring to the table. Your expertise is worth it, and the right clients will see that.
In Conclusion
Weddings aren’t just another day—they’re once-in-a-lifetime celebrations of love, commitment, and joy. The extra cost reflects the care and precision needed to make them unforgettable. So, next time you hear someone say, “It’s because of the word ‘wedding’,” remember: it’s not just about the word. It’s about everything that word represents.
Because your wedding day isn’t just any day—and it’s worth every penny.
Kerstyn xx