Average Wedding Service Cost in October at 20.86 Million Won... Gangnam Tops at 35 Million Won

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on November 30 that, based on a survey of 500 wedding service companies in 14 regions nationwide, the average total cost of wedding services last month was 20.86 million won, marking a decline for the second consecutive month.

The wedding service costs include wedding halls and the so-called "Studio·Dress·Makeup (Sudeume) package," among others. Over the past three months, the average cost of wedding services has shown a gradual decrease, from 21.6 million won in August, to 21.41 million won in September, and now further down.

A wedding hall in Seoul (this photo is unrelated to the article content). Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

Last month, the average total cost of wedding services was highest in Seoul (Gangnam) at 35 million won, while Gyeongsang recorded the lowest at 12.31 million won. Of the 14 regions surveyed, costs rose in 8 regions and fell in 6. Among the regions with rising costs, Ulsan saw the highest increase rate at 7.7%, while among those with falling costs, Gyeonggi saw the largest decrease at -3.2%. The Korea Consumer Agency explained that the increase in Ulsan was due to a higher proportion of peak season contracts, while the decrease in Gyeonggi was attributed to a greater share of off-season contracts.

By item, based on the median price, wedding hall costs fell by 5.1% compared to August (from 15.8 million won to 15 million won). Among the detailed items for wedding halls, venue rental fees saw the steepest drop at -14.3% (from 3.5 million won to 3 million won), and meal costs, which account for the largest portion of total wedding service expenses, also declined by 4.7% (from 15.8 million won to 15 million won).

Average Total Cost of Wedding Services by Region in October. Provided by the Korea Consumer Agency

원본보기 아이콘

The price of the Studio·Dress·Makeup package fell by 1.0% compared to the previous survey (from 2.93 million won to 2.9 million won), while the individual base price for studio photography increased by 5.3% (from 1.32 million won to 1.39 million won).

An analysis of the intervals between wedding ceremonies in contracts showed that the national median interval was 70 minutes. By region, Seoul had the longest interval at 90 minutes, followed by Incheon·Gangwon (80 minutes), and Gyeonggi·Jeolla (70 minutes). All other regions, including Gyeongsang and Busan, where costs are lower, had intervals of 60 minutes. In terms of wedding hall costs by ceremony interval, a 60-minute contract was the lowest at 12 million won, while contracts exceeding 180 minutes were the most expensive at 27.4 million won. The total cost of wedding services was highest at 22.31 million won when the contract was signed 10 months before the wedding date, and lowest at 16.26 million won when signed two months prior.

The Korea Consumer Agency stated that it plans to continue providing price information to make the wedding service market more transparent and help the younger generation prepare for marriage in a more reasonable manner.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.