The venue can cost between R35,000 and R100,000 ($2,240 to $6,400US). Several factors will affect the cost of the venue including the day of the week you’d like to book, whether you’re paying price per head or a flat fee, and when you book the venue. But what may affect the cost most is the time of the year. Getting married in winter in South Africa is the cheapest, says Yesbabydaily.com. That’s because the most popular wedding venues are outdoors or partially outdoors, according to Zara-zoo.com.
Having a wedding gown made by one of the top South African designers can cost between R10,000 and R50,000 ($670 to $3,000). Going to a standard dressmaker will cost between R6,000 and R10,000 ($380 to $640), and buying a pre-made dress off the rack will cost between R5,000 and R20,000 ($500 to $1,277) says Capetownmagazine.com.
After buying her dress, the bride still needs shoes, jewelry, and makeup. If a bride goes for used or non-designer shoes and jewelry, she could pay as little as R1,500 ($95) but if she purchases brand new items she could pay as much as R,8000 ($500). Just a trial run of makeup—not the makeup job for the wedding day—can cost between R500 ($30) and R1,500 ($95), but hair and makeup on the big day will cost between R1,000 ($63), and R3,500 ($223) says Yesbabydaily.com.
Invitations might just be pieces of paper, but they’re the guest’s first impression of the wedding and an item the couple sometimes splurges on. The average cost per invitation is R45 ($2.80), but it can go up to R80 ($5) if the couple opts for pricier materials, and as low as R20 ($1) if they go the DIY route, says Yesbabydaily.com.
One of the top wedding planners in South Africa, Otto de Jager events, published a helpful guide on how much to allot to each part of the wedding if the couple is working with a low budget of R100,000 ($6,500). The majority of the budget (30 percent) will go to the reception. De Jager suggests R30,000 ($2,000) be dedicated to the wait staff, food and beverage and service charges, according to Truthdesign.co.za.
The cake is the centerpiece of the entire reception and can be a pricey item. There is a range of prices when choosing a cake designer in South Africa, and most designers will ask for 50 percent upfront. Couples can find cakes as low as R1,200 ($76), but they can go up to R,6000 ($380), says Shireenlouw.com. Those prices are based on a cake meant for 80 to 100 people. If a couple is on a budget, Otto de Jager suggests skipping a full-service sit-down event because most venues do not provide chairs and tables, and purchasing high-end items such as these suited for a wedding can be a substantial cost. If the venue does provide all décor and necessary furniture, this portion of the wedding could cost as low as R10,000 ($640), but if the couple needs to hire a marquee and furnish the reception themselves, this could cost as much as R100,000 ($6,400) says Yesbabydaily.com.
Don’t forget the bridesmaids and groomsmen! They’ll need gifts, transportation and the time to pose for photographs. Limousines, party buses and the like will make up 2 percent of the budget and gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen will make up another 2 percent says Truthdesign.co.za And one final hidden cost which only applies to some couples is the wedding planner. Most wedding planners take around 14 percent of the allotted budget as their rate. Then there are the all-important photos, which will make up 18 percent of the budget, and anywhere between R9,000 ($575) and R 23,500 ($1,400)
