A growing number of Canadians are willing to reduce wedding spending or ask guests for help with a home down payment as housing affordability pressures reshape major life decisions, according to a survey commissioned by Royal LePage Real Estate Services.
The survey, conducted by Burson using Leger Opinion’s online panel, found that 79 per cent of respondents planning a wedding, or who know someone who is, would consider requesting money toward a home down payment instead of traditional wedding gifts. Thirty-seven per cent said they would “definitely” do so, while 42 per cent said “maybe.”
Among respondents who are already married, 57 per cent said they would have liked to request money for a home down payment instead of wedding gifts, while 10 per cent said they had already done so.
The findings point to the growing financial trade-offs Canadians are making as housing costs and broader living expenses continue to strain household budgets. The survey also found that 82 per cent of respondents would either forgo or significantly scale back a wedding in order to put money toward buying a home.
“Few milestones carry more weight than buying a home or getting married. As the cost of living puts pressure on household budgets across the country, more Canadians are finding themselves having to make difficult trade-offs between the two – and in many cases, it’s the wedding that gets scaled back,” said Anne-Elise Cugliari Allegritti, vice-president of research and communications at Royal LePage.
“There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question ‘rings or real estate?’. Every couple is different, and so are the circumstances under which they navigate these important life events. However, rising living costs – extending well beyond housing alone – are causing many Canadians to reassess how they prioritize major celebrations and long-term financial goals,” she noted.
Anne-Elise Cugliari Allegritti
“In the past, tradition may have dictated first marriage, then mortgage. Today, many couples are having to balance their desire for a once-in-a-lifetime wedding celebration with the reality of building equity and securing their financial future. For some, that means prioritizing getting into the housing market before walking down the aisle. Many people are recognizing that while a wedding is a beautiful one- or two-day event, a home is a lifetime investment.”
Regional differences emerged in the findings. Respondents in British Columbia were the most likely to say they would request financial contributions toward a down payment instead of traditional wedding gifts, while those in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec were less likely than the national average to say they would do so.
The survey also found that nearly half of respondents across Canada, 46 per cent, said they would definitely scale back or forgo a wedding to put money toward a home down payment, while another 36 per cent said they might do so. Among married respondents, 55 per cent said they would have reduced wedding spending in favour of saving for a home.
Royal LePage linked the findings to rising costs associated with both weddings and housing. The release cited data from The Knot’s 2025 Global Wedding Report, which estimated the average wedding costs about US$33,000 before expenses such as a honeymoon or wedding rings.
“With weddings, couples have more options when it comes to lowering costs – trimming the guest list, choosing a more modest venue, or cutting back on extravagant extras. Housing offers less flexibility, without compromising on size or location. As a result, some couples are choosing to trade the champagne toasts for a sizable down payment because they know that while you can always throw a party later, you may not always be able to find your forever home at today’s prices.”
The survey further found that 83 per cent of respondents identified buying a home as the biggest or most important purchase a person will make in their lifetime.
“The fear of being priced out of the housing market, especially in the most expensive markets across southern Ontario and British Columbia’s lower mainland, has become a more powerful motivator than the pressure to have a perfect wedding,” Cugliari Allegritti added.
The online survey polled 1,717 adults across Canada between March 27 and April 15, 2026. Oversamples were collected in Atlantic Canada as well as Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Weighting was applied by age and gender within regions and cities using 2021 census figures.
“Both decisions are deeply personal, and it’s completely understandable if scaling back a wedding, or choosing to marry before you’re mortgage-ready, brings up complicated feelings. And, every couple navigates a unique set of circumstances, from cultural traditions and family support, to individual financial goals. But, there’s no universal rulebook for how life is supposed to unfold. Doing things in the order that makes the most financial sense for your individual circumstances is always the right call – because however you get there, the happily ever after is yours to define.”
Full regional summaries can be found here.
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Entrepreneur. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 and 2024 as one of the top business journalists in the world by PR News. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024, 2025 and 2026.
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