A most important question, but also one with a complex answer. The cost will depend on the number of guests confirmed, but as future bride and groom you will have to make decisions at every step that will contribute to the final cost.
And now, back to our question: How much does a wedding in Romania cost? Or, how much does a destination wedding in Romania cost? To answer briefly, for a great quality wedding in a beautiful place with 80 guests, somewhere around 30 to 50,000 EURO.
The destination element is important, because as you are inviting family and friends to join you in another area of the country or in another country altogether, you will also want and need most probably to cover extra costs that are usually not incurred in a local reception where most of the guests are sleeping at their home or with friends.
Now let’s go through what is included in the sum above:
- Accommodation with breakfast for all guests for two nights
- Food & Drinks Menu at the Welcome Dinner
- Lunch the second day for all guests
- Hair & Make-up Services on location for 5
- Wedding Reception with 10 hour open bar and 5 course dinner
- Entertainment: band & DJ
- A budget for flowers and decorations that will make a difference in what the space looks like and in the atmosphere of the event
- Excellent Photographer & Videographer
- Food & Accommodation for Staff
- Fees for Ceremony officiants
Of course, depending on your choices, you can also include in the budget above:
- Your clothing and accessories for the three days, including Wedding Dress and Suit
- Wedding Bands
Other things you will need to consider:
- Wedding Planner (usually between 2,500 and 4,500 EUR for a year’s work and presence the day and night of). Exceptional planners and wedding producers charge more or a percentage of all wedding costs.
- Trips back and forth to the venues for scouting, menu tasting, other decisions
Is that a lot more than you expected?
Perhaps, and I understand why. What is important to take into consideration here is that these are the fees and prices of very good quality food and services for many, many hours: a lot of food, open bars with quality international brands, photographers and videographers that are being booked internationally because of their talent, on location services by vendors that need to drive long distances, stay overnight and provide outstanding products and services, flowers that are bought off the same flower auctions as the French and bands that include 6 members and 4 staff. Also, for 80 guests and three days, around 30-40 different staff or more will take care of them during their stay, whether they are cleaning the rooms or bathrooms, cooking, serving food, coordinating the event, setting up the stage or driving them around. While salaries in Romania have been historically lower, they have risen quite a lot in the past two years due to rising living costs, and that is a good thing, because it means everyone is being paid better and can provide a better living for their families (or at least a decent one).
Can you plan your wedding for less?
Of course! It’s just a matter of choices. Only you will be able to know what is most important to you, what you can afford and what the family and friends money gifts (as it is traditional in Romania) will cover.
In “The Ultimate Guide to Planning and Enjoying your Destination Wedding in Romania” you can find out everything you need to know so that you do not make expensive mistakes. By seeing all of the possible locations in one place, you’ll be able to hone in on your favorites and not need to take many discovery trips. In addition, you will get vendor recommendations that have been vetted, so that you can be sure you will get the best value for your money.
Photo Credit: iStock/GladiusStock