How much does a wedding cost in Bordeaux, Gironde?

Planning a wedding in Gironde is often a dream for couples who want to celebrate their union among the vineyards, in a characterful château or on an estate surrounded by nature.

But before diving into the details of the day, one question always comes up: what budget should you plan for a wedding in Bordeaux?

The answer obviously depends on your guest count, the level of service you want, and the season you choose. Still, knowing the main expense categories helps you build a realistic budget from the very start of planning.

In this article, discover the main costs to expect for a wedding in Gironde, along with the price ranges typically seen among local professionals.

The reception is generally the largest share of the overall budget. The wedding planner, the reception venue and the caterer form the foundation of your planning. It's therefore essential to take the time to select the right partners from the outset, so you can build your project with confidence.

When searching for "wedding planner Bordeaux pricing", it's important to understand that rates vary depending on the level of support offered. For full wedding planning, a high-end wedding planner's fees generally range between €4,000 and €10,000, depending on the complexity of the wedding, the number of guests and the services included. Beyond the time saved, a wedding planner brings local expertise, a network of qualified vendors, and rigorous management of the entire project.

Choosing your venue is one of the most important decisions in your planning. It will be the backdrop for your entire day and will strongly shape the atmosphere of your wedding. For the private hire of a high-end reception venue in Gironde over a full weekend, in peak season and with some on-site accommodation, prices generally start around €7,000 and can reach €40,000 for the most prestigious estates.

The caterer is generally the second largest expense. The budget mainly depends on the level of service desired and the number of servers needed for the reception to run smoothly. For a cocktail hour with live culinary stations followed by a seated three-course dinner with plated service, budget on average between €100 and €160 per guest. Options like a next-day brunch, culinary workshops or themed bars can naturally increase this budget.

Drinks are sometimes underestimated when building the budget. To cover the reception drinks, dinner and next-day brunch, it's generally recommended to plan between €30 and €50 per adult and about €15 per child. This budget includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Decoration lets you personalise your wedding and create an atmosphere in keeping with who you are and your story.

The floral budget largely depends on the desired level of flowers, the varieties chosen, the season, and the complexity of the installations. For a complete floral design covering the ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner of a 100-guest wedding with around ten tables, plan for roughly €2,000. For more immersive designs or suspended installations, the budget can increase significantly.

Some wedding venues include reception furniture — tables and chairs — in their rates. That said, this isn't always the case, or the venue's furniture may not match the aesthetic you're after. In that case, it's common to rent chairs, tables, a ceremony arch, garden furniture for the drinks reception, and more. For a wedding of around a hundred guests, plan for between €500 and €4,000 depending on your needs.

Signage covers all the decorative elements that both personalise your wedding and give your guests information: welcome sign, seating plan, menus, table numbers or names, directional signs... Depending on the level of customisation chosen, the budget generally ranges between €200 and €1,000.

Bridal beauty prep is the first step of the day. It's the moment the bride gets pampered and steps into a bubble away from all the preparations. This moment sets the tone for the rest of the day. It's therefore an extremely important step of the big day, but one that is prepared well in advance. Beauty services typically include a hair and make-up trial before the big day, to pin down the bride's wishes ahead of the final result on the day itself. For all of these services, plan for between €500 and €1,400. Travel fees to your home or the reception venue may add to this budget.

The dress budget mainly depends on how it's made. For a ready-to-wear dress, prices generally start around €800. For a bespoke creation by a designer from the Bordeaux region, expect on average €2,800, with prices exceeding €8,000 for the most elaborate projects.

Several options exist for the groom too. Ready-to-wear suits with alterations included generally start around €700. Bespoke tailoring starts around €1,400. For a bespoke three-piece suit with accessories, the average budget observed around Bordeaux is roughly €1,500.

Jewellery is often seen as a lasting investment, as it symbolises this eternal commitment. Couples choose it knowing it will stay with them for many years. Engagement rings generally start around €1,800. For wedding bands, prices start from €600 for a gold band and can reach several thousand euros for more elaborate designs or ones set with precious stones.

Wedding favours have become a well-established tradition, although in recent years they've started to be questioned. For a personalised favour with packaging and a personalised tag, plan generally for between €3 and €6 per guest. For 100 guests, that's a budget of between €300 and €500.

Musical atmosphere plays an essential role in the guest experience.

For a band performing during the cocktail hour or ceremony, prices generally start around €1,600 for a singer accompanied by an acoustic musician. Depending on the number of musicians and how long they perform, this budget can rise quickly.

For a professional service including sound for the secular ceremony followed by the drinks reception and dinner, plus lighting, plan generally from €1,800. Wedding-specialist DJs often offer support beforehand to prepare the music programme and key moments such as the couple's entrance at the ceremony, the first dance, and so on.

The visual memories of your wedding will last through the years. It's therefore important to choose these vendors carefully, as they don't all have the same style or level of support beforehand.

For 7 to 8 hours of coverage, from preparations through to the end of the drinks reception, prices generally start around €2,000, excluding travel fees. In Gironde, the average budget observed for this service is closer to €2,200.

For coverage similar to the photographer's, services generally start around €1,500. Options such as full-length films, teasers or aerial shots can change the budget.

For a wedding of around 100 guests at a characterful reception venue in Gironde, with experienced professional vendors, the overall budget generally falls between €45,000 and €80,000.

The most high-end projects, particularly at the grand châteaux welcoming an international clientele, regularly exceed this budget. The point isn't to match another couple's budget, but to define your own priorities so you can invest in what truly matters to you.

If you'd like support building your budget and full planning of your wedding in Gironde, don't hesitate to get in touch.