Wedding Costs Surpass 30 Million Won as Food Expenses Take Up Half

[Anchor]

It is Tuesday for Friendly Economy with reporter Han Jiyeon. Han, today we are talking about wedding costs.

[Reporter]

There is a saying that even a 100,000-won congratulatory money envelope makes people feel self-conscious.

That is because the average cost of a wedding in Seoul is exceeding 30 million won.

And it turns out that more than half of that amount goes toward wedding guest meal expenses.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency, as of last August, the average wedding cost in Gangnam, Seoul, was 34.19 million won, while in other areas of Seoul excluding Gangnam, it was 31.54 million won.

The greater Seoul area averaged 28.34 million won, which was 12.65 million won more expensive than non-capital regions.

The biggest expense is indeed the meal cost.

Out of the nationwide average wedding cost of 22.13 million won, 61% went toward food, and in Gangnam, meal expenses alone averaged 20.48 million won.

Meal prices are also on the rise.

The median price for a wedding buffet meal per person in Seoul rose from 77,000 won to 80,000 won over the span of a year, while Gyeonggi Province and Incheon saw an increase from 60,000 won to 62,000 won.

For example, if there are 200 guests, meal expenses alone amount to 16 million won.

If a couple attends with a 100,000-won congratulatory gift and both eat, the meal cost comes to 160,000 won, meaning the cost of the food exceeds the money given.

Based on weddings scheduled for this October, venue rental costs have also risen by over 11% in a year, averaging 17.88 million won.

On the other hand, studio photography, dresses, and makeup packages, known as "sudeume," dropped 4.7% to 3.24 million won.

Because venue costs have surged so drastically, the combined total increased by 8.5% to 21.12 million won.

[Anchor]

So does that mean recent trends have changed a lot too?

[Reporter]

Couples are increasingly holding weddings during off-peak seasons in mid-summer or mid-winter, which people used to avoid.

In addition, evening weddings are on the rise.

In fact, there was a case where a couple held their ceremony in August, when the monsoon season and intense heat overlap, saving more than 10 million won on wedding costs compared to the following month in September.

This trend is also clearly visible in Shinhan Card payment data.

As the so-called "echo boom" generation, born between 1991 and 1995, reaches marriageable age, the number of members using regular wedding halls from January to August of this year increased by nearly 24% compared to two years ago.

Unlike past practices of scheduling ceremonies during daytime hours out of consideration for guests, Saturday evening wedding usage amounts surged by 48%, and Sunday evening weddings jumped by 82%.

Popularity during the off-season is also high.

Wedding hall spending during off-peak seasons such as January-February, July-August, and December jumped by nearly 28% last year, outpacing the growth rates of the spring and autumn peak seasons.

If you want to cut costs even further, public wedding venues are available.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government rents out most public wedding venues without a rental fee to residents or those whose main sphere of life is in Seoul.

If one of the prospective spouses is a resident of Seoul, up to 1 million won is provided to support expenses for fixtures such as chairs and tables.

To sum up, tweaking the date and time slightly or changing the location can save quite a bit of money.

Checking average regional prices beforehand on "T-Price," a price information website run by the Korea Consumer Agency, can also reduce worries about being overcharged.

[Anchor]

Now for the last topic—are convenience stores selling padded jackets?

[Reporter]

Convenience stores are selling all sorts of things these days.

They sell houses and even gold.

This time, you can purchase lightweight padded jackets in the 30,000-won price range.

CU is releasing a lightweight padded jacket for 39,900 won on the 22nd, and is also introducing fleece jackets and windbreakers in the 20,000-won range.

E-Mart 24 has also brought in lightweight padded jackets in the 30,000-won range for the first time this year, launching some winter products about a month earlier than last year.

GS25 is selling convenience store-exclusive clothing in partnership with an online fashion platform, and sales of thermal clothing more than doubled this month.

Seven-Eleven even introduced sweaters containing cashmere.

When the weather suddenly turns cold, convenience store winter clothes sell out instantly.

At GS25, sales of thick tights during the first week of this month jumped more than 10-fold compared to a week prior.

Naturally, people wonder if convenience store padded jackets are worth buying.

Just looking at the price, Daiso is cheaper.

Daiso sold fleece jackets and padded vests for 5,000 won last autumn.

However, because the materials and thicknesses differ, simple price comparisons are difficult.

Also, CU's padded jacket comes in only one color, black, and in just two sizes, 100 and 105, making it a bit challenging to find a precise fit.

When you are caught in a sudden drop in temperature on your way to or from work, or forgot an outer layer while traveling, convenience stores that remain open at night when clothing stores are closed serve as a reliable alternative. However, if you are looking for a garment to wear all winter long, it would be wise to carefully check the material and sizing.

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