Inflation affecting wedding industry on Vancouver Island
The rising cost of inflation is impacting the daunting task of planning a wedding on Vancouver Island.
Recently married Jennaka Clark says she'll always remember the sunny day in Tofino, where she tied the knot on May 26.
But the beautiful memory didn't come cheap.
"We started off with a budget, of 30 (thousand dollars), and realized quickly that that wasn't realistic, based on the size of the wedding we were having," she said.
She says the 115-person event cost about $50,000 in total.
Wedding planner Radhika Graham says that's on par with the average price tag for a 100-person wedding on the island.
"With inflation and weddings, we're noticing that the price of everything is going up," she said.
Graham says food and flowers in particularly is where it will hurt your wallet.
"A lot of the time, that's because the cost of gas has gone up, so getting that to the island is affecting the price," she said.
That being said, you don't need to rush off to Vegas to elope and get married by Elvis.
"Instead of having that sit-down dinner, you can look at having a brunch wedding, a lunch wedding, maybe even a high tea," said Graham.
Or, you can make some cuts to your guest list.
"You can just re-envision and be creative with what your wedding day looks like," said Graham.
The Clarks saved some money by supplying their own alcohol and second-hand decor.
"So it's upfront cost that's there, but I'm going to get some of my money back, hopefully, by reselling some of the stuff," said Clark.
Loved ones were also in charge of setting up the venue and made the bridesmaids' bouquets and their own cocktail hour food.
"We found ways to save money, certainly, but still had everything that we wanted," said Clark.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.