Wedding Planning Guide | Belgium 2026

A wedding is one of life’s most memorable celebrations. Yet when planning begins, many couples face an important question: How much does a wedding in Belgium cost?

If you live in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent or another Belgian city, understanding the cost of wedding services can help you create a beautiful, memorable celebration without unnecessary financial worries.

This is particularly important for Afghan and Iranian couples and multicultural families, as the choice of food, guest numbers, music, traditional attire and additional celebrations can all affect the final cost.

In this Lapis Weddings wedding guide, we explore the cost of different services and, at the end, provide a practical sample budget for a wedding with 100 guests.

The average cost of a wedding in Belgium in 2026

According to Belgium’s 2025 national wedding survey, which had 1000 respondents and whose results were published by House of Weddings, the average reported wedding budget was approximately €31,750.

This is, of course, a survey average, not an amount every couple has to spend. The actual cost depends on the number of guests, the type of venue, the catering menu, the city, the season and the services chosen.

Small wedding | 30 to 50 guests €9,000–16,000 An intimate family celebration
Medium-sized wedding | 80 to 120 guests €22,000–38,000 A celebration with a more comprehensive range of services
Luxury wedding | 150 guests or more €45,000–90,000 A large, lavish celebration

The ranges above are based on WEWED’s 2026 market price guide for Belgium, not an official average across all weddings.

Important: Before setting your budget, decide how many guests you will invite and which services matter most to you. These two decisions alone can make a significant difference to the final cost.

Complete cost table for wedding services in Belgium

To start budgeting, it is worth looking at each category separately. The table below combines reported market ranges with initial planning estimates.

Wedding serviceApproximate cost
Wedding hall or venue hire€2,500 to €9,000
Catering with a full menu€85 to €180 per guest
Full-day photography€1,400 to €3,500
Wedding videography€1,200 to €2,500
DJ and musicApproximately €700 to €2,000*
Bridal and groom’s attireApproximately €1,000 to €4,000*
Bridal make-up and hairApproximately €250 to €800*
Flowers and décorApproximately €1,500 to €4,500
Cake and additional essentialsApproximately €200 to €700*

The figures for venues, full menus, photography, videography and flowers are based on WEWED’s market guides. Items marked with an asterisk (*) are only suggested starting budgets and should be checked against supplier quotes. Food, drinks and service may be charged separately in some contracts; not all rows in the table can necessarily be added together.

1. Wedding venue costs in Belgium

Luxury wedding venue with floral arrangements and reception tables in Belgium
Choosing the right venue is one of the most important steps in wedding budgeting.

The wedding venue is usually one of the first services couples book. Its price depends on capacity, location, facilities, the wedding date and the terms of the contract.

Wedding venue hire prices across Belgium’s regions

WEWED’s guide lists venue hire in Brussels at approximately €3,500 to €9,000, in Wallonia at €2,500 to €7,500 and in Flanders at €3,000 to €8,500.

These prices cover venue hire and may not include food, drinks, decorations, sound equipment or staff.

What should you check before booking a venue?

  • The venue’s actual capacity for seating and dancing
  • Whether external caterers are permitted
  • Restrictions on music hours and the event’s finishing time
  • Parking and guest access
  • Sound equipment, lighting and kitchen facilities
  • Cleaning, staffing and overtime charges
  • Cancellation terms and deposit refunds

For an Afghan or multicultural wedding, it is particularly important to check the dance space, whether traditional food can be served and how long the celebration is allowed to run.

2. Wedding food and catering costs in Belgium

Lavish food and catering at an Afghan and multicultural wedding celebration

Food and catering usually account for one of the largest portions of a wedding budget. At many weddings, the number of guests affects this cost more than any other factor.

Food prices per guest

Reported prices for a full menu in the Belgian market are approximately €85 to €180 per guest. Lighter catering or a buffet may cost less, while luxury menus and additional services cost more.

Example catering cost for 100 guests

If the agreed cost of food and drinks is €100 per guest, you will need to set aside €10,000 for 100 people. However, if service, tableware, travel or tax are separate from the quoted price, the final total will increase.

For Afghan and Iranian weddings:

If you plan to serve qabili palaw, a selection of kebabs, rice, traditional starters, sweets and tea, make sure before booking that the caterer is familiar with this type of menu and that the quote clearly lists the price of every item you need.

3. Wedding photography and videography costs in Belgium

Professional photographer capturing wedding moments in Belgium

Wedding photographs and films are among the few elements that remain for years after the celebration ends. For this reason, it is best not to choose your photographer and videographer solely on the basis of the lowest price.

The Belgian market guide reports full-day photography prices of approximately €1,400 to €3,500. Videography is usually priced separately and, depending on the services included, approximately €1,200 to €2,500 can serve as a starting point for an estimate.

What should you ask when choosing a wedding photographer?

  • How many hours of photography and videography are included?
  • How many photographers or videographers will attend the wedding?
  • How many photographs and what type of film will be delivered?
  • How long will it take to receive the final files?
  • Does the package include a printed album, a short highlights film and a full-length film?
  • What are the overtime and travel charges?

At Afghan and multicultural weddings, a photographer and videographer who understand the stages of the celebration, the couple’s entrance, traditional dances and family moments can help capture those memories more effectively.

4. Costs for bridal and groom’s attire, make-up and hair

Wedding dress and professional make-up for a wedding celebration

The cost of the couple’s attire and preparations varies according to the brand, whether outfits are bought or hired, tailoring alterations and make-up services.

Alongside the wedding dress and groom’s suit, it is worth budgeting for shoes, accessories, make-up services, a hair trial and final outfit alterations.

The cost of traditional attire at an Afghan wedding

At some Afghan weddings, the bride may wear traditional attire or a special outfit for the henna celebration in addition to her white dress. In this case, the cost of a second outfit, accessories and a make-up change should be included in the budget from the outset.

To manage costs, you could consider hiring an outfit, choosing ready-to-wear attire or booking a combined hair and make-up package.

5. Wedding DJ, music and décor costs

Lighting and music at a multicultural wedding celebration

Music plays an important role in creating a joyful atmosphere. For many Afghan and Iranian couples in Belgium, choosing a DJ familiar with Dari, Persian and Pashto music, as well as international songs, is a priority.

What should you check when booking a DJ?

  • Performance duration
  • Sound equipment and microphone
  • Lighting and additional equipment
  • Familiarity with your preferred styles of music
  • Travel and overtime charges
  • The venue’s noise restrictions and any required permits

How can you keep décor costs under control?

There is no need to fill the entire venue with expensive floral arrangements. You can focus on the entrance, the couple’s seating area, the main tables and the photography area.

Using seasonal flowers, hired decorative pieces and a simple but cohesive design can help create an attractive setting that suits your budget.

6. Wedding cost differences between Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent

The location of your celebration affects your choice of venue, suppliers’ travel costs and the price of some services. However, you cannot always judge whether a wedding will be cheaper or more expensive simply by the name of the city.

Wedding costs in Brussels

Brussels offers a wide variety of hotels, city venues and grand event spaces. A larger budget may be needed for central venues and high-demand dates.

Wedding costs in Antwerp

Antwerp offers various options for couples looking for a large venue, convenient guest access and multicultural services. When comparing options, examine the facilities and services included in each package carefully.

Wedding costs in Ghent

With its historic settings and varied venues, Ghent is suitable for both small and large celebrations. When choosing suppliers from outside the city, allow for any travel charges they may apply.

To search for wedding services suited to your city and type of celebration, use the Lapis Weddings wedding budget planner and compare relevant options.

7. Sample budget for a wedding with 100 guests in Belgium

Imagine you want to host a beautiful wedding in Belgium for 100 guests, with a balanced selection of services. The table below presents a hypothetical planning scenario.

Wedding categoryHypothetical budget
Venue hire€4,000
Food and drinks for 100 guests€10,000
Photography and videography€3,000
DJ and music€1,200
Bridal and groom’s attire€1,800
Make-up and hair€400
Flowers and décor€1,500
Cake and additional essentials€600
Total core costs€22,500
10% contingency fund€2,250
Suggested total budget€24,750

This table does not represent confirmed supplier prices. It assumes that supporting services are included in the amounts above, but items such as tax, transport, special permits, overtime or family expenses may be separate.

A simple formula for estimating your budget:

(Number of guests × catering cost per person) + venue and other service costs + contingency fund.

If you use the website’s budgeting tool, record each category’s costs separately so that you can compare supplier proposals with your budget.

8. How can you reduce wedding costs in Belgium?

A beautiful celebration does not always require a very large budget. A few thoughtful decisions can keep costs under control without sacrificing the important elements of your wedding.

Set a clear guest count

Every additional guest can increase the cost of food, chairs, tables and service, and may even require a larger venue. Start by preparing a main guest list and a list of possible additional guests.

Be flexible with your date

Some venues and suppliers offer better rates on weekdays or during quieter months. Check the price differences between dates before making your final decision.

Obtain at least three quotes

Request several quotes for your venue, photography, videography and catering. Do not compare only the final price; the number of service hours, facilities and contract terms also matter.

Choose your three main priorities

If food, music and photography matter most to you, allocate more of your budget to these areas and save on those that are less important.

Do not forget hidden costs

Transport, parking, cleaning, additional services, changes to the schedule and tax may not be reflected in the initial price. It is best to set aside at least 8 to 12 per cent for unforeseen costs.

9. Budgeting for an Afghan wedding in Belgium: what matters most?

Afghan and multicultural wedding celebration with traditional attire and beautiful décor

Afghan weddings in Belgium can be a beautiful blend of family traditions and modern European style. For better financial planning, it is essential to identify the celebration’s specific requirements from the outset.

Guest numbers and venue capacity

If you are hosting a large family celebration, make sure the venue has enough capacity for catering and all the planned wedding activities.

A traditional food menu

If an Afghan menu matters to you, ask about the types of food, ingredient quality, the number of servings and service charges before booking.

Henna celebrations and separate events

If you are planning a henna celebration, an engagement party or other events, record the cost of each separately. This helps prevent additional expenses from being overlooked.

Suppliers who understand the culture of your celebration

Photographers, videographers, DJs, hair and make-up artists and wedding planners can provide more suitable services when they understand your family’s cultural expectations.

In the Lapis Weddings directory of wedding services in Belgium, you can begin your search for services suited to Afghan, modern and multicultural weddings in Europe.

Calculate your wedding budget

Enter your city, guest count and maximum budget, and the free Lapis Weddings planner will suggest how to allocate your budget across each category.

Start calculating your budget ←

10. Budgeting checklist before booking your wedding

Before signing a contract and paying a deposit, check the following:

  • The overall wedding budget has been set.
  • The approximate number of guests has been determined.
  • We have obtained quotes for the venue and catering.
  • Photography and videography costs have been reviewed.
  • We have allowed for music and décor costs.
  • Plans for attire, make-up and additional celebrations are clear.
  • Tax, travel and overtime charges have been checked.
  • We have read the contract’s cancellation, deposit and payment terms.
  • We have a reserve for unexpected expenses.

Conclusion: a beautiful wedding through thoughtful planning

The cost of a wedding in Belgium is not the same for every couple. A small family celebration can be very different from a large wedding with hundreds of guests.

By setting a budget, prioritising services, comparing quotes and planning early, you can make choices that reflect your wishes without creating unnecessary financial pressure.

Above all, your wedding should reflect your taste, culture and shared story, rather than simply becoming a competition to host a more expensive celebration.

Your dream wedding starts here

Are you looking for a venue, photographer, videographer, DJ, hair and make-up artist or other wedding services in Belgium?

Use Lapis Weddings to search for and compare suppliers suited to the needs of your celebration.

Find wedding services in Belgium ← Calculate your wedding budget ←

Sources and pricing notes

The amounts mentioned in this article are for guidance and initial planning. The final price can only be confirmed with the supplier after receiving a written quote.