How Much Does Marriage Celebration Dinner Cost in Japan?

October 21, 2012 - Food & Drink, Others - Tagged: Money, Wedding

I have covered several Japanese marriage-related stories in the past, but I would like to introduce another article about Japanese marriage from a different aspect.

"Hidehiro Komatsu" some rights reserved. flickr

Nowadays, more Japanese couples decide to have simplified wedding ceremony, and some even have no reception party at all. It seems number of couples who prefer simple marriage ceremony is increasing in Japan. However, as a marriage magazine conducted a survey regarding trend in Japanese marriage, it is revealed that people are actually spending more money on wedding!

Wow, really? I also thought that people tend to spend less money than before now??

In Tokyo area, average fee for wedding ceremony (including actual ceremony and reception) costs 3.56 million yen (US$44,870), and it is increased by 0.2 million yen (US$2,520) from 2010, and overall, the average fee increased by 0.45 million yen (US$5,671) in the last 5 years.

When you look at this in detail, average of total congratulatory gift money to bride and groom in Tokyo area is 2.24 million yen (US$28,232), which means that organisers have to cover more than 1 million yen by themselves. But it seems 75.8% of couples did have a good support of their family. Such support from families could reach about 1.96 million yen, which is reduced from average of 2008 (2.06 million yen). But still this is a good source of payment for wedding party, isn’t it? 😀

"kagen33" some rights reserved. flickr

Anyway, the reason of increasing cost seems to be food and drink served for guests. Even if the ceremony itself is simplified, couples seems to prioritise hospitality to guests.