As rising living costs reshape financial priorities for young Canadians, some couples are scaling back on weddings in favour of long-term stability, including buying a home.

In Vancouver, one newly married couple chose a minimalist approach to their ceremony, keeping costs low and redirecting savings toward their future.

A $1,000 wedding with personal touches 

At English Bay, in front of Vancouver’s iconic “engagement ring” sculpture, Tia Tian and Eric Chen revisited the spot where they got married just months earlier.

There was no venue fee and no expensive decorations. Even the bouquet was unconventional.

“We made everything ourselves,” said Tian, an entrepreneur. “For example, instead of a bouquet, we bought a broccoli and decorated it because flowers can be quite expensive here. It made the whole experience more personal and memorable.” 

The ceremony, attended by close friends and the couple’s cat, cost under $1,000.

The pair say their view of weddings has shifted over time.

“Five or six years ago, when we were younger, we thought a big wedding was necessary,” Tian said. “But later we realized that being more practical can also be meaningful.”

Chen, a software engineer, agrees. 

“When we look back, these are very beautiful memories,” he said.

Financial pressures changing wedding expectations

The couple’s choice reflects a broader shift across Canada as younger Canadians reassess major expenses in the face of rising costs and housing pressures.

A Royal LePage survey conducted in spring 2026, which polled 1,717 adult residents across Canada, found that many are prioritizing homeownership over traditional wedding spending.

“We’re tracking millennials in how they prioritize financial goals,” said Adil Dinani, a realtor with Royal LePage West.

“Seventy-nine per cent of respondents told us they would consider requesting cash instead of traditional wedding gifts, because that money can go much further toward savings and ultimately a down payment,” he said.

Dinani added that “82 per cent said they would rather scale back their wedding or delay it entirely in order to find a way to enter the housing market.”

Redirecting funds to long-term stability

For Tian and Chen, the decision was not just symbolic. It was also practical.

The couple had already purchased a home, and the money saved on the wedding has gone toward easing mortgage payments and improving their living space.

“Since getting married, we’ve updated our home multiple times,” Tian said. “It’s about making a small space more comfortable over the long term.” 

Chen added that their financial priorities extend beyond housing.

“We’re also building a business, so we want to use our money on things that matter more right now,” he said.

Homeownership remains a growing challenge

Dinani said first-time buyers are entering the market later in life, typically in their 30s across Canada and closer to their late 30s in Vancouver, as rising costs make homeownership increasingly difficult.

He added affordability pressures are also prompting more couples to rethink major financial decisions.

Redefining priorities

While there is no single “right” way to celebrate a marriage, the balance between weddings and homeownership is shifting.

For couples like Tian and Chen, the focus is increasingly on building a stable future first, while marking the occasion in a way that aligns with their own priorities and circumstances.