What is the Cost of Love?

Dating Costs in Canada

• Three-course dinner for two with stadium view $129 (lifeexperiences.ca)
• Canoe Restaurant $140.00 (tripadvisor.ca)
• Sydney’s at the Forks [Winnipeg] $110.00 for two, prix fixe (January 2012)
• L’express [Montreal] $70.00 for two
• Two Tim Horton’s sandwich combos [Toronto]: $15.50

Theatre Tickets

• Mirvish Productions, Toronto: $119 (before fees and taxes) www.mirvish.com
• Centaur Theatre Company Montreal: $35 (http://www.centaurtheatre.com/tickets.php)
• Theatre Calgary (second tier seating): $46
• (http://www.theatrecalgary.com/tickets/subscribe/)
• Manitoba Theatre Centre: $73.50 (http://www.mtc.mb.ca/ON-STAGE/Single-Tickets-aspx.aspx)
• Broadway Across Canada – Vancouver: 93.50 (+taxes and fees)

Movie Tickets

• $12.99 each – Cineplex Odeon Toronto, www.cineplex.com (Toronto: (416) 977-9262)
• Combo # 1 (Large popcorn, Large drink, candy):
• $17.60 (Toronto 416-977-9262)

Coffee date

• Medium coffee: $2.05 (with HST)
• Cookie: $2.36 (with HST)
• Balzac’s Coffee, Toronto (416) 207-1709
• “Tall” Flavoured latte: $3.85 + HST
• Starbucks, Toronto

Weekend Getaways

• Niagara Falls Hilton: $119.00/night (www.niagarafallshilton.com)
• Shaw Club Niagara-on-the-Lake (premium patio view avg.): $265.00/night (http://www.niagarasfinest.com/properties/shawclub/)
• Lord Elgin Hotel Ottawa (Traditional king room): $175.00/night (www.lordelginhotel.ca)
• Taboo Resort: $426.46 for 2 nights + $100 credit for spa (www.tabooresort.com)

Beach Vacation

• Costa Rica: $1178.00 (with tax) $889.00 (before tax) (http://www.travelalerts.ca/toronto/en/deal/1434083-great-4-star-all-inclusive-vacation-in-costa-rica-this-february)
• Varadaro: $1296.00 (with tax) $1005.00 (before tax) (http://www.flightcentre.ca/bookingengine/packages/results)
• Manzanillo: $903 (with tax and fees) per person (http://reservations.transatholidays.com/)

Apology Flowers / Treats

• A silk flower from the dollar store - $1 - $5
• “Anytime Flowers” $44, delivery included (FTD) Dozen roses (VDay) – From $108, delivery included
• Website: www.canadaflowers.com 888-705-9999
• Billy Miner Pie @The Keg $5.95 (nationwide) [Keg website]
• Beavertail $3.75 (Ottawa) [PPR research; Beavertails call]
• Ice Cream cone $.99 @McDonald’s (Toronto) [Chowhound]
• Nanaimo bar $3.99 @SaveOn Foods: (http://www.yelp.ca/topic/vancouver-nanimo-bars)
• Cupcake $2.85 (http://www.thecupcakeshoppe.ca/pricing.htm) Average: $3.534 87x3.53= TOTAL: $307.46 +HST

Men’s Wardrobe

[all numbers from www.thebay.com, 1/11/13]

• New suit: Michael-Michael Kors $495.00 ($247.50 sale)
• Khakis: Haggar Work to Weekend $39.99
• Black leather shoes: Pegabo/Haza $150.00 ($119.00 sale)
• White & blue dress shirts: Calvin Klein $85.00 ($63.75 sale) x 2
• Sports coat: Corduroy Jones New York ($99.00)
• Leather belt: Perry Ellis reversible ($35.00)
• Red tie: Sondergard striped silk tie ($45.00)
• Dark Wash Jeans: Levi’s 559 ($78.00)
• Casual top: IZOD short sleeve polo ($29.99)
• [We didn’t include a sweater – your girlfriend will buy you that for your birthday]
• Socks that don’t have holes in them: 3 pack MacGregor comfort sock $20.00
• Cool running shoes/trainers: Puma El Ace $90.00 ($26.99 sale)

TOTAL: $867.97 [$980.81 w/HST]

Engagement Costs in Canada

Average cost: $3,500.00 (2012; dailyfinance.com)

[“Wedding website TheKnot.com puts that average figure closer to $5,000, but its calculation excludes sales from Walmart and other low-end retailers.”]

• Average cost: $5200.00 – theknot.com
• www.peoplesjewellers.com - $58.65 - $3500.00
• www.weddingringscanada.ca - $150.00 - $1850.00
• Men’s stainless steel bracelet $30.00 (myjewelrybox.com)
• 1/2 carat sterling tennis bracelet $149.00 (myjewelrybox.com)
• 1/4 carat diamond heart pendant necklace $149.00 (myjewelrybox.com)
• Men’s RayBans $150.00 and up (framesdirect.com)

Average Wedding Costs in Canada

Attire and Accessories

• Bride’s Veil/Headpiece $875-$1458 avg. (davidsbridal.ca)
• Bride’s Shoes: $28-$335.00 (lightinthebox.com)
• Bride’s Purse: Budget: $50.00 (davidsbridal.ca)
• Bride’s Lingerie: $79.00 shaper / $62.00 bra/corset (davidsbridal.ca / freshpair.com)

Tuxedo Rental

• $150-$250.00 (http://www.costevaluation.com/tuxedo-rental-cost.php)

Makeup plus Hair Styling (bride)

• $300.00 (Evoke salon, Toronto)
• $467.00 (WB)

Entertainment/DJ/Band

• $1049-$1398+

Flowers & Decorations

• $1,343 (weddingbells.ca)

Invitations/Stationery

• $173-$289 avg. (canadianwedding.com)
• $63.00 for 100 regular-sized invites (Domestic/Canada)

Wedding Photographer

• $1,251-$2,085 avg. (WR)
• $2,206.00 avg. (WB)
• $700-$4,000 avg.
• Sources: http://www.mycanadianwedding.com/wedding-articles/expenses/average-cost-of-canadian-wedding/
• Budget: $1,95 (no video) - http://www.gagnephoto.com/index.php/pricing

Wedding Videographer

• $791- $1,318 avg. (WR)
• $1,581- $2,108+ high end (WR)
• $400 - $1,900 avg. (http://weddings.costhelper.com/wedding-videography.html)

Venue, Catering and Rentals

• $152-$253 avg. (WR)
• $303-$404+ high end (WR)
• $147-$245 avg. (WR)
• $294-$392+ high end (WR)

Reception Food Service

• $753.00 (weddingbells.ca)
• $354-$590 avg. (WR)
• $708-$944+ high end (WR)

Local Costs of Marriage License
(obtained through provincial websites, vital statistics and city offices)

• Calgary - $90.00 (City of Calgary (403) 268-2489)
• Edmonton - $90.00 (City Hall of Edmonton (780) 442-5311)
• Halifax - $121.78 (http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/access/vitalstats/getting-married.asp)
• Montreal - $263 (if performed at courthouse) $350.25 (outside the courthouse) (http://www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/generale/tarifs-a.htm#marriage) technically, Quebec does not issue a marriage license, but you must pay this fee to get married
• Ottawa – $160.00 [(613) 580-2400]
• Toronto - $140.00 (http://www.toronto.ca/marriage)
• Vancouver – $100.00 (http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/marriage/howto.html#apply)
• Winnipeg - $100.00 (http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/GettingMarried.html)

Bridesmaid Dresses & Shoes

• $428.00 avg. (WB)
• Budget: $56.00-$160.00 (tbdress.com)

Groomsmen Tuxes & Shoes

• $150-$250.00 (http://www.costevaluation.com/tuxedo-rental-cost.php)
• $5,470.00 avg.$4,000-$6,000 avg. (discoveryourhoneymoon.com)