How Much Should You Save for Peace of Mind? The Total Cost for an Ordinary Couple to Get Married is Exactly ¥〇〇!

2018.02.17 published

Marriage is said to be expensive, but...

Marriage is a major life event. It is often said that "marriage costs money," but how much does it actually cost?

As money matters can be a difficult topic to discuss with those around you, many people might not know the specific amounts involved.

While there is a strong image of marriage being synonymous with a wedding, there are actually many other expenses associated with getting married. In this article, we will introduce the necessary items related to marriage along with their average costs and market rates.*

Money spent on marriage ① Engagement ring ¥400,000

A proposal that promises "let's get married." When it comes to proposals, a diamond engagement ring is the standard, right?

For the [parent generation] of those currently at the marriageable age, it was said that "an engagement ring should be equivalent to three months' salary."

However, according to the recent "Zexy Marriage Trend Survey," the average price for an engagement ring is ¥394,000. It has also been revealed that 60% of couples who bought rings spent less than ¥400,000.

@nagisa_marry

Additionally, recently more couples are opting to give necklaces instead of engagement rings or choosing to forgo an engagement ring altogether.

Money spent on marriage ② Family introduction ¥0–¥100,000

Before moving forward with wedding plans, it's common to visit each other's parents to inform them of the marriage.

If the parents live nearby, there’s no issue, but if they live far away, travel expenses for round trips by Shinkansen or airplane and accommodation fees must be considered.

Additionally, you'd want to prepare a proper gift. The average cost for a gift is around ¥3,000 to ¥5,000, so be sure to budget for travel costs as well.

Money spent on marriage ③ Wedding rings ¥260,000

The wedding ring that you will likely wear for the rest of your life.

The average budget for marriage rings for both partners is ¥258,000. Compared to the engagement ring, which can cost around ¥400,000 without diamonds, the price is relatively modest.

An increasing number of couples choose to invest more in wedding rings instead of buying an engagement ring.

Money spent on marriage ④ Face-to-face meeting / Engagement ¥0–¥100,000

The first formal meeting of both families, known as the face-to-face meeting and engagement. In the past, marriage was seen as a bond between families, so it was common for both families to share the costs of the engagement.

However, recently it is more frequently held for the purpose of family interaction rather than as a ceremonial ritual, leading to an increase in the couple shouldering the expenses instead of the parents.

In fact, according to a survey by "Minna no Wedding," 45% of couples who held an engagement meeting paid for expenses other than the engagement gifts themselves.

Dinner parties usually take place at a restaurant with a per-person charge of around ¥10,000, so budgeting about ¥50,000 to ¥100,000 for at least six people (two families plus the couple) is advisable.

Money spent on marriage ⑤ Moving expenses ¥400,000–¥700,000

Many couples plan to move into a new home together as they get married.

When moving, initial costs include security deposits, key money, first month's rent, and real estate agent fees, all of which must be paid upfront.

Furthermore, the total moving costs for both partners can require cash equivalent to five months' rent (credit cards are often not accepted for moving). It is not uncommon for purchasing appliances and furniture to exceed ¥1,000,000.

This constitutes a major expense following the wedding, so discussing when to move into a new home beforehand is essential.

Money spent on marriage ⑥ Wedding ceremony and reception ¥1,500,000

The biggest expense associated with marriage is the wedding. The national average total cost is approximately ¥3,597,000, with an average of around 71.6 invitees.

Assuming you receive ¥30,000 in gifts per person, the out-of-pocket cost will be just under ¥1,500,000.

However, this does not include pre-wedding photos, after parties, or transportation costs, so it is recommended to plan for around ¥2,000,000 to have some extra room.

The costs can vary significantly depending on the venue chosen for the wedding, the season, and the number of outfit changes, so it’s advisable to determine a maximum budget in advance.

Money spent on marriage ⑦ Honeymoon ¥700,000

After the wedding, over 80% of couples embark on their honeymoon. The most common average honeymoon duration is 7 days, with an average budget of around ¥726,000. This includes travel expenses and souvenir costs.

If you want to take honeymoon photos at your destination, it may cost an additional ¥100,000 to ¥200,000.

Popular destinations include Hawaii, the Maldives, and Europe, but domestic trips such as to Okinawa or Hokkaido can cost around ¥150,000, significantly reducing expenses.

How much in total? When you add up all the costs associated with marriage...

☑ Engagement ring

☑ Family introduction

☑ Wedding rings

☑ Engagement / Face-to-face meeting

☑ Moving expenses

☑ Wedding ceremony and reception

☑ Honeymoon

The average total budget for these wedding-related events comes to approximately【¥3,300,000 to ¥3,800,000】!

While this is a rough estimate from adding averages, it can serve as a guideline. For those starting to save for wedding expenses from scratch, aiming for around ¥4,000,000 in savings together would be a good target.

Marriage can be expensive, but there are many enjoyable experiences ahead ♡

How did you find this? Perhaps you were surprised to find that it costs more than you expected!

However, be assured that the money is not all spent at once. Typically, from the proposal to the honeymoon, there is a period of about one and a half to two years, allowing for savings and planning to progress simultaneously.

While there are many expenses involved, this is filled with events that can only be experienced before marriage. As you consult your budget, you’ll want to enjoy your happy days leading up to your wedding!*

➡ It is convenient to manage couple finances with the app "OsidOri"♡

➡ It's important to think about financial matters from the newlywed stage. Consult a financial planner specializing in newlyweds＊