How to plan a Toronto / GTA Wedding for Under $10K

Free Guides
Written By Karen Jackson

I saw a post on social media from someone living in a big city (Toronto) and wanting to spend just $5-8k on their entire wedding. Given that the average wedding cost in Toronto is over $70,000 this might seem like a daunting task! If you’re in the same boat, this guide is for you!

The first thing we need to talk about is strategy.

Strategy (How To Stay Under $10K)

  1. Cap the guest list

    • 20–60 guests is the sweet spot. Every additional guest you add raises the cost to host. The average guest count is about 80-100, so I’ve planned the two below sample options to give you a good idea on how to break down the costs for 80 guests.

  2. Pick surprising savings options

    • Opting for a weekday or for brunch instead of dinner, choosing November through April wedding dates, choosing single-location events to avoid multiple venue costs, dry wedding (alcohol-free), or alternative venues such as parks, community halls, or restaurants will help keep costs down.

  3. Lock the fixed costs first

    • License, Ceremony, Venue, then fit food/drink to your remaining budget.

  4. Know the must-dos based on the above choices

    • Marriage license, legal officiant, and (if serving alcohol outside a licensed venue) an AGCO Special Occasion Permit (SOP). A marriage licence in Toronto is $160; City Hall wedding chamber ceremonies are $133.50; designated City parks have two-hour ceremony permits (from $169.95 to $475.91 depending on park, location in the park, and the date selected).

  5. Taxes & tips

    • In Ontario, HST is 13%; many restaurants add 18% gratuity for groups so be sure to budget for both.

  6. Alcohol

    • If your reception is not in a licensed venue, you’ll likely need a No-Sale SOP ($50/day) (you provide free drinks) or a Sale SOP ($150/day) (cash bar/tickets). Alcohol must be purchased in Ontario (LCBO/Beer Store/ON producers).

Two Sample Budgets Under 10K

A) City Hall ceremony + restaurant lunch (80 guests)

  1. Marriage licence: $160 (no HST).

  2. City Hall Wedding Chamber (officiant included): $133.50. Bring two witnesses.

  3. Photographer (3 hrs micro-wedding): $1,100 (typical range ~$950–$1,300 for 2–3 hrs)

  4. Attire: $800 (sample sales, thrifting, or discount retailers make this easier than ever.

  5. Hair & makeup: $250 (Bride only - in salon location rather than mobile) you can also get a trusted friend to do your hair and makeup. Try out a couple of looks before the big day to settle on what you want.

  6. Simple bouquet/boutonniere: $200 (or DIY!)

  7. Simple rings: $400 (a note here - the higher the quality, the more expensive. You can find two simple 10K gold bands at People’s Jewellers for 199 each (although don’t forget taxes)

  8. Restaurant group menu (~$50/guest × 80): $4,000 + HST $520 + 18% gratuity $813.60 (est.)

  9. Drinks package / two drink tickets: $800 (est., incl. tax/tip)

  10. Cake/dessert: $75-$100 (A small cutting cake for you and your partner and then your guests eat the dessert from the restaurant menu)

  11. Transport $100 for Uber/Lyft (save money on transportation by using Uber/Lyft to get around or coordinate vehicles for bridal party members. 

  12. Décor: $250

  13. Contingency/Misc.: $350

Total = $9,977.10

B) Park ceremony + community hall + DIY buffet (80 guests)

  1. Marriage licence: $160.

  2. City park ceremony permit (e.g., Kew Gardens/Humber Bay tier): $169.95 / 2 hrs. (Premium gardens are $475.91/2 hrs.) City of Toronto

  3. Officiant: $350 (typical local range ~$250–$500).

  4. Community hall rental (6 hrs @ ~$100/hr est.): $600

  5. Event liability insurance: $150 (typical)

  6. Attire: $800 (sample sales, thrifting, or discount retailers make this easier than ever.)

  7. Hair & makeup: $250 (Bride only - in salon location rather than mobile) you can also get a trusted friend to do your hair and makeup. Try out a couple of looks before the big day to settle on what you want.

  8. Simple bouquet/boutonniere: $200 (or DIY!)

  9. Simple rings: $400 (a note here - the higher the quality, the more expensive. You can find two simple 10K gold bands at People’s Jewellers for 199 each (although don’t forget taxes)

  10. DIY buffet / casual catering (~$27/guest): $2,160

  11. Disposables/serveware: $120 (can be more if you choose fancier options)

  12. Basic linens/gear rentals: $300 

  13. Cake/dessert: $75-$100 (A small cutting cake for you and your partner and then your guests eat the buffet dessert)

  14. Beer/wine via LCBO (~$12/guest for 2 drinks): $960 + No-Sale SOP $50/day. AGCO

  15. Photographer (3 hrs): $1,100

  16. Décor: $250

  17. Setup/cleanup helpers: $300 (You can save here by having friends/family members help)

  18. Miscellaneous: $200

  19. Contingency (~10%): $609

Total = $9,178.95 

Toronto/GTA Venue & Vendor Short-List (budget-friendly)

Ceremony (ultra-affordable):

  • Toronto City Hall Wedding Chambers (Downtown, North York, Scarborough, York). Officiant included; 15-minute civil ceremonies.
    Contact: marriage@toronto.ca; booking via City site. Fee: $133.50. City of Toronto

  • Designated City Parks (ceremony only) — Toronto Music Garden, Kew Gardens, Humber Bay, St. James Park, Guild Park & Gardens, etc.
    Permit: $169.95–$475.91/2 hrs; book online or via Client Services 416-396-7378. City of Toronto

Small/low-cost reception spaces (bring caterer or go simple):

  • Cecil Community Centre (Chinatown): multi-purpose rooms; budget-friendly.
    Contact: 416-392-1090, info via site. rcl344.com

  • St. Matthew’s Clubhouse (East End Arts): bright heritage clubhouse for intimate receptions.
    Contact: inquiry form on site.

  • The Assembly Hall (Etobicoke, City-run arts venue): theatre/hall spaces.
    Contact: assembly@toronto.ca. City of Toronto

  • Montgomery’s Inn (City museum): historic rooms/courtyard; great for cozy receptions.
    Contact: 416-394-8113, montinn@toronto.ca. City of Toronto

  • Todmorden Mills / Papermill Gallery — ceremony in the wildflower preserve + gallery reception.
    Contact: todmorden@toronto.ca. City of Toronto

  • Toronto Public Library – Beeton Hall (TRL, downtown) — central, simple, transit-friendly.
    Contact: 416-393-7148, venuerentals@tpl.ca.

  • Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 (Downtown) — hall rentals at friendly rates.
    Contact: 416-532-4433. Yelp

Restaurant/brewery options (pay per person):

  • HotHouse Restaurant (St. Lawrence) — group menus, private spaces; strong value downtown.
    Contact/menus via events page. Facebook

  • Granite Brewery (Midtown) — wedding packages, private rooms; affordable craft-brew setting.
    Contact via weddings page. Open Canada

  • Old Mill Toronto — chapel/ceremony services available; consider micro-ceremony then a simple meal.
    (In-house minister pricing shown on site.) Old Mill Toronto

Legal & Logistics

  1. Marriage license: Apply online then book an appointment; fee $160; license is valid for 90 days across Ontario.

  2. Officiant: City Hall chamber fee includes the officiant. For other venues, you must hire a provincially authorized officiant.

  3. Alcohol (non-licensed venues): Apply for AGCO SOP (No-Sale $50/day; Sale $150/day); buy from LCBO/Beer Store/ON producers only.

  4. Parks: Book a designated wedding location; fees listed per site, typically in two-hour blocks.

  5. Photography permit: Taking professional photos in public spaces often requires a photography permit which comes with an added cost.

Want To Make Your $10K Go Further?

  1. Consolidate: Ceremony and reception at one spot (e.g., library hall, community centre, brewery).

  2. Food style: Brunch buffets, family-style, or heavy canapés reduce spending without feeling “cheap.” Potluck is also an option but keep in mind the amount that you’re asking from guests. For reference, a potluck is where guests are asked to bring a dish to contribute to the meal.

  3. Minimal florals: One bouquet, bud vases, greenery keeps things less expensive. Where possible, use the venue’s natural features.

  4. Keep your photography focused: 2–4 hour micro-package covering first look, ceremony, and family formal group shots.

  5. Music: Curated playlist plus a small speaker goes a long way.

  6. Invites: Digital invitations and RSVPs

  7. Transit-first: Choose TTC-accessible venues to skip shuttle costs.

Planning a budget wedding is entirely possible and with some planning, it can be just as perfect. It is important to have early conversations with your partner and family about how they can support and what the budget is. Take your time with decisions as hasty ones tend to be more expensive.

Good luck and share pictures with us! We’d love to see your budget-friendly wedding day! 

Karen Jackson
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