Weddings Are Becoming a Luxury

Over the past five years, Russia's wedding market has changed dramatically. Weddings are no longer just banquets with an emcee and photographer—the industry itself has evolved into full-scale event production.

At the same time, the cost of such events has risen sharply. While a few years ago a quality mid-range wedding could be organized for 1–1.5 million rubles, today that amount represents the lower threshold.

According to our experts' estimates, the average wedding budget has grown 2–3 times in recent years, depending on format and region. The increase became particularly pronounced after 2022 amid accelerating inflation and rising costs of imported goods.

From Banquet to Production: How Wedding Budgets Have Changed

Five to ten years ago, most wedding budgets revolved around three main expenses: the venue, the banquet, and the emcee. Today the cost structure has expanded significantly. Budgets now include technical production, directing, stylists, content creators, art directors, elaborate décor, and additional guest services.

Head of KASTOM AGENCY Darya Kravtsova notes in conversation with Argument Media that wedding services costs rise by about 10–15% annually on average. However, cumulative growth in certain categories has been significantly higher. For example, banquet menus have increased from 5,000 rubles per person in 2021 to 12,000 rubles in 2025—an increase of roughly 140%. Premium emcee fees have risen from 80,000 to 200,000 rubles, or 150%, while décor costs have climbed from 100,000 to 500,000 rubles—a fivefold increase.

According to her, the cost changes are visible even when looking at specific venues.

"The Saturday rental rate for Skyriver (a country yacht club outside Moscow) was 450,000 rubles in 2021, and 800,000 rubles in 2026."

Founder of event agency STAY studio Anastasia Sorokina points to budgets growing several times over. By her estimate, if in 2021 a full-scale wedding in the Moscow region for 50 guests could be organized for approximately 3.5 million rubles, today a similar event costs 6–8 million rubles. An intimate format for 40 guests has grown from roughly 1 million rubles to 2.5–3 million rubles.

The rising cost of weddings is linked not only to general inflation but also to changes in the very structure of events. According to Rosstat data, the consumer price index in Russia grew by more than 40% between 2021 and 2025. The main categories that directly affect the wedding market—food, services, rentals, and transportation—have become more expensive at rates faster than or comparable to overall inflation.

Why Weddings Have Become More Expensive

One of the main factors behind the increase has been the economics of the entire wedding production chain. On average, dozens of specialists participate in preparing a single event: planners, venue staff, waiters, chefs, florists, designers, technical crews, photographers, videographers, hosts, and other contractors.

"A single wedding for 50 people involves around 50 staff members, and the cost of living (meaning labor compensation) for each of them has increased. And of course, the rising cost of food and materials," says Darya Kravtsova.

Another reason is the transformation of the industry itself. Darya Kravtsova also notes that in recent years the wedding market has become more professional. Whereas previously many services were provided by small teams without complex infrastructure, today large-scale projects require full-fledged production.

Anastasia Sorokina adds that the rising cost of imported materials has played a significant role.

"Many flowers and materials are brought in from abroad, and their cost depends directly on exchange rates, so décor in some projects has increased in price several times over in just a few years."

According to her, not only the materials themselves have become more expensive, but logistics as well.

"Materials such as wood, metal, and fabrics have risen sharply in price due to parallel imports and other nuances, which has significantly impacted the cost of décor."

The Most Expensive Line Items: Venue, Food, and Décor

The bulk of a wedding budget goes toward the banquet and venue rental. According to expert estimates, these expenses can account for around a third or more of the entire budget.

"Catering and venue. This remains the largest expense item at around 35% of the budget, and it's consistently getting more expensive due to rising prices for food, alcohol, rentals, staff wages, and VAT," says Anastasia Sorokina.

She notes that catering and venue rental in major cities alone could have added 15–30% to costs in recent years.

Décor has become the second major expense category. The reason is that modern couples now expect not just a decorated hall, but a complete visual concept.

According to her, some complex décor projects have tripled in cost over the past few years.

Another notable factor is the rising cost of specialist services. Rates for top photographers, videographers, hosts, and stylists have increased due to professional development, equipment investments, and growing demand.

"For example, a photographer who cost 100 thousand for a shoot a few years ago might now charge 200-300 thousand, and this isn't just about inflation—it's about the market becoming more sophisticated," Sorokina notes.

Weddings as a complete experience: what's been added to budgets in recent years

One of the biggest market shifts is the expanded definition of the wedding itself. Today's couples aren't just buying services—they're buying a comprehensive experience.

"Previously, most couples limited themselves to catering, a host, and décor. Today it's much more common to budget for a creative producer: a script for the day, a thoughtfully designed ceremony, the guest journey, musical storytelling," says Anastasia Sorokina.

Wedding content has emerged as another new category. One photographer is often no longer enough: couples want video clips, short reels for social media, lifestyle-format shoots.

"A wedding has become not just a 'here and now' event, but a major visual story that couples want to share with the world or preserve as a memory," the expert notes.

According to Darya Kravtsova, professional technical services have also entered the wedding market.

"Technical production (lighting, sound, technical crew). In the past, it was just two speakers from a DJ and a cheap Chinese LED flasher. Now, mid-range and upscale weddings feature full technical production teams."

Couples Are Saving on Scale, Not Quality

Today, couples aren't always trying to make their weddings bigger. On the contrary, one of the major trends in recent years has been reducing guest counts while improving event quality.

Instead of weddings with 100-150 guests, many are choosing intimate formats with 30-50 guests, but investing more in the venue, food, service, and atmosphere.

"Less, but better. More meaning, less volume," is how Darya Kravtsova describes the market shift.

According to her, today's clients are more willing to invest in the key elements of the celebration.

"With our clients, we never cut corners on food, service, alcohol, the core team, or lighting. What gets optimized is always what won't fundamentally affect the overall atmosphere of the celebration—minor décor, excessive fresh flowers, additional entertainment zones, guest favors, printed materials."

Anastasia Sorokina also notes that couples have come to value individuality more.

"Couples increasingly come to us saying 'we want this to be about us,' rather than simply 'like everyone else's.'"

At the same time, savings more often come from scale: guest lists are trimmed, expensive extras like elaborate show programs, large quantities of favors, or portions of the decorative elements are eliminated.

The Wedding Planner Has Become an Event Producer

Another market shift is the growing role of the wedding planner. Today, this is no longer just someone who helps find vendors and manages the timeline.

"If previously this was often perceived as 'someone who calls contractors and monitors timing,' today an organizer is essentially the producer and director of the entire event," says Anastasia Sorokina.

According to her, clients often don't see the bulk of the work: contract review, venue negotiations, technical calculations, preparation of backup scenarios, and managing dozens of specialists.

Daria Kravtsova believes that today an organizer is primarily needed by those who want to save time and reduce risks.

What lies ahead for the wedding market

Market participants expect weddings to continue getting more expensive. The main reasons will remain rising costs of labor, rent, products, and professional services.

At the same time, the format of events will change. Most likely, the market will continue developing in two directions simultaneously: premium complex projects and more intimate weddings with an emphasis on the couple's personal story.

"Nothing ever gets cheaper, which means weddings will get more expensive too," says Daria Kravtsova.

Anastasia Sorokina also forecasts further cost increases, but believes that personalization will become the main trend. According to her, in the coming years couples will increasingly abandon universal scenarios and choose events that match their lifestyle.

From Banquet to Production: How Wedding Budgets Have Changed

According to her, the cost changes are visible even when looking at specific venues.

"The Saturday rental rate for Skyriver (a country yacht club outside Moscow) was 450,000 rubles in 2021, and 800,000 rubles in 2026."

Why Weddings Have Become More Expensive

"A single wedding for 50 people involves around 50 staff members, and the cost of living (meaning labor compensation) for each of them has increased. And of course, the rising cost of food and materials," says Darya Kravtsova.

Anastasia Sorokina adds that the rising cost of imported materials has played a significant role.

"Many flowers and materials are brought in from abroad, and their cost depends directly on exchange rates, so décor in some projects has increased in price several times over in just a few years."

According to her, not only the materials themselves have become more expensive, but logistics as well.

"Materials such as wood, metal, and fabrics have risen sharply in price due to parallel imports and other nuances, which has significantly impacted the cost of décor."

The Most Expensive Line Items: Venue, Food, and Décor

The bulk of a wedding budget goes toward the banquet and venue rental. According to expert estimates, these expenses can account for around a third or more of the entire budget.

"Catering and venue. This remains the largest expense item at around 35% of the budget, and it's consistently getting more expensive due to rising prices for food, alcohol, rentals, staff wages, and VAT," says Anastasia Sorokina.

She notes that catering and venue rental in major cities alone could have added 15–30% to costs in recent years.

Décor has become the second major expense category. The reason is that modern couples now expect not just a decorated hall, but a complete visual concept.

According to her, some complex décor projects have tripled in cost over the past few years.

"For example, a photographer who cost 100 thousand for a shoot a few years ago might now charge 200-300 thousand, and this isn't just about inflation—it's about the market becoming more sophisticated," Sorokina notes.

Weddings as a complete experience: what's been added to budgets in recent years

One of the biggest market shifts is the expanded definition of the wedding itself. Today's couples aren't just buying services—they're buying a comprehensive experience.

"Previously, most couples limited themselves to catering, a host, and décor. Today it's much more common to budget for a creative producer: a script for the day, a thoughtfully designed ceremony, the guest journey, musical storytelling," says Anastasia Sorokina.

Wedding content has emerged as another new category. One photographer is often no longer enough: couples want video clips, short reels for social media, lifestyle-format shoots.

"A wedding has become not just a 'here and now' event, but a major visual story that couples want to share with the world or preserve as a memory," the expert notes.

According to Darya Kravtsova, professional technical services have also entered the wedding market.

"Technical production (lighting, sound, technical crew). In the past, it was just two speakers from a DJ and a cheap Chinese LED flasher. Now, mid-range and upscale weddings feature full technical production teams."

Couples Are Saving on Scale, Not Quality

Today, couples aren't always trying to make their weddings bigger. On the contrary, one of the major trends in recent years has been reducing guest counts while improving event quality.

Instead of weddings with 100-150 guests, many are choosing intimate formats with 30-50 guests, but investing more in the venue, food, service, and atmosphere.

"Less, but better. More meaning, less volume," is how Darya Kravtsova describes the market shift.

According to her, today's clients are more willing to invest in the key elements of the celebration.

"With our clients, we never cut corners on food, service, alcohol, the core team, or lighting. What gets optimized is always what won't fundamentally affect the overall atmosphere of the celebration—minor décor, excessive fresh flowers, additional entertainment zones, guest favors, printed materials."

Anastasia Sorokina also notes that couples have come to value individuality more.

"Couples increasingly come to us saying 'we want this to be about us,' rather than simply 'like everyone else's.'"

The Wedding Planner Has Become an Event Producer

Another market shift is the growing role of the wedding planner. Today, this is no longer just someone who helps find vendors and manages the timeline.

"If previously this was often perceived as 'someone who calls contractors and monitors timing,' today an organizer is essentially the producer and director of the entire event," says Anastasia Sorokina.

According to her, clients often don't see the bulk of the work: contract review, venue negotiations, technical calculations, preparation of backup scenarios, and managing dozens of specialists.

Daria Kravtsova believes that today an organizer is primarily needed by those who want to save time and reduce risks.

What lies ahead for the wedding market

Market participants expect weddings to continue getting more expensive. The main reasons will remain rising costs of labor, rent, products, and professional services.

"Nothing ever gets cheaper, which means weddings will get more expensive too," says Daria Kravtsova.