No ‘Wedding Tax’ in Switzerland: Why Wedding Services Cost More

“Why is a bridal bouquet more expensive than a regular bouquet?” That question sparked a post from florist Sina Simmendinger on Linkedin. She shared that she often finds clients hesitant to mention they want a bridal bouquet, fearing the price will be higher than a standard arrangement.

Simmendinger’s post resonated with many, prompting supportive comments and understanding. But is there actually a “Wedding Tax”—an added charge simply because a service is for a wedding, rather than a corporate event or birthday party?

Expectations are Increasing

Caterina Pelosato, head of the Wedding Network Switzerland, clarifies: “That’s not the case in Switzerland.” However, she also frequently hears the assumption that “everything becomes three times more expensive when you say you’re getting married.” She explains, “Many services aren’t directly comparable.”

Take the wedding cake, for example: “If you order a birthday cake, you choose the design and flavor.” But for a wedding—an event many people celebrate only once in their lifetime—couples want something absolutely perfect.

“The couple wants consultation, a tasting, and the expertise.” This level of effort is reflected in the price.

Everything Needs to Be Perfect

Recently, a baker shared a story with Pelosato: “For a long time, she offered cake tastings in groups, with several couples present. One participant complained about the lack of personalized attention. Since then, she’s only offered appointments for individual couples.”

Generally, expectations have changed, says Pelosato, who has been in the industry for over 20 years. “On social media, people see these perfectly staged weddings and then expect theirs to look exactly the same.” The trend towards highly curated events has undoubtedly impacted wedding budgets.

Some couples arrive with a 10,000-franc budget and expectations that would cost 50,000 francs. “But even with a smaller budget, you can have an unforgettable wedding.” Pelosato advises couples: “Think about what suits you, and not what you might think is absolutely necessary. In Switzerland, there are good providers in every price range.”

Misconceptions About Pricing

Jonas W. From Swiss-Fotoshooting also frequently encounters clients with unrealistic price expectations in his work as a photographer. “15 or 20 years ago, the photographer was still the second most expensive element of the wedding, after the catering.” Jonas provides an example with the following services:

“This used to cost between 3,500 and 5,500 francs. Today, I receive inquiries asking if I can do it for 800 to 1,000 francs.” Jonas suspects that many are no longer willing to pay for professional photographers, as smartphone cameras have improved in quality and more hobbyists offer their services for less.

Jonas explains that wedding photoshoots are generally more expensive than regular photoshoots because they are more time-consuming and require more expertise. “With a normal photoshoot, I demand a maximum of six hours for image editing. With a wedding, it’s 40 to 60.” there’s the consultation with the couple and dealing with challenging lighting conditions.

Anja Zingg (anz), has been working at 20 Minuten since 2020. She has been Head of the Society & Community department since June 2023.