"Tens of Millions for a One-Hour Ceremony"... 'No Wedding' Trend Spreads Amid Rising Wedding Costs

Average Venue Rental Fee: 3 Million Won, Up to 6.81 Million Won in Gangnam
Half of Single Men and Women Say "A Wedding Ceremony Is Not Really Necessary"

As the cost of holding a wedding still reaches tens of millions of won, there is a growing trend of skipping or minimizing ceremonies. The perception that values practicality over formality is spreading, making "no wedding" and "small wedding" popular options.

According to a "marriage perception survey" conducted by the matchmaking company Gayeon in 2024, 4 out of 10 single men and women responded that "if both partners agree, the wedding ceremony can be omitted." Additionally, 11.4% answered that it is "not really necessary," meaning nearly half of all respondents expressed a negative view toward holding a wedding ceremony.

The burden of wedding expenses is at the root of this shift in perception. According to data released by the Korea Consumer Agency as of December last year, the nationwide average venue rental fee was 3 million won. The lowest was 1.24 million won (Jeju), while the highest reached 6.81 million won (Gangnam, Seoul). This means couples are paying hundreds of thousands of won for a ceremony that lasts just over an hour.

From rental fees to options... The growing burden of wedding costs

The overall cost burden of getting married, including the wedding venue, remains significant. The Korea Consumer Agency surveyed 500 wedding service providers in 14 regions nationwide, and as of October last year, the average cost of wedding services was 20.86 million won. By region, Gangnam in Seoul had the highest average at 35 million won, while the Gyeongsang region was the lowest at 12.31 million won.

By item, although rental fees and meal costs have slightly decreased, they still require hundreds of thousands of won. The average rental fee was 3 million won, meal costs were around 15 million won, and the "studio, dress, and makeup package" (commonly called the "Sdeume package") reached 2.9 million won. Notably, the basic price for studio photography alone rose by 5.3% to 1.39 million won.

In reality, many engaged couples report that mandatory options and additional costs during the wedding venue contract process often cause the final amount to increase significantly compared to the initial quote. There is a growing perception that even just the rental fee and meal costs consume a substantial portion of the newlyweds' funds.

"Not really necessary"... Increasing choices for no wedding and simplified ceremonies

This financial burden is leading to a shift in perception, with fewer people viewing a wedding ceremony as an essential step. More couples are choosing to commemorate their marriage in a way that focuses on themselves rather than a formal event, making "no wedding" or simplified ceremonies a growing trend.

This trend is also seen overseas. In Japan, various marriage forms such as "Nashihon" (registering the marriage without a ceremony) and "Photo-hon" (replacing the wedding with a photo shoot) are spreading. In the United States, "micro weddings" with a drastically reduced guest list have become a trend. According to the overseas wedding information provider "Celebrant Directory," searches for "micro wedding" increased by 24.14% over the past year.