Young Calgary Couples Prioritize Homeownership Over Lavish Weddings
The traditional sequence of falling in love, getting married, purchasing a first home, and starting a family is undergoing a significant shift among younger generations in Calgary. Increasingly, couples are choosing to invest their savings into building long-term wealth through homeownership rather than spending on elaborate wedding celebrations.
Financial Realities Reshape Life Milestones
A comprehensive study by national realty firm Zoocasa reveals the substantial financial burden facing young couples. The research compared minimum down payments for average-priced homes across 11 major Canadian markets with average wedding costs, using data from WeddingConnect, a digital marketplace for wedding vendors.
In Calgary specifically, the average home price in the study was $553,900, requiring a down payment of $30,390. This amount is slightly less than the average wedding cost in the city, which stands at $32,000. Combined, these two major life expenses can set couples back more than $60,000.
"Buyers now think more strategically," says Ashliegh Griffiths, a Calgary realtor with eXp Realty. "They are definitely considering whether spending that kind of money on one celebration is worthwhile compared to putting it into long-term wealth like on a home."
Calgary's Position in the National Landscape
Calgary occupies a middle position among Canadian markets examined in the study, with wedding and down payment costs being relatively comparable. This contrasts sharply with markets at either end of the spectrum.
Saint John, New Brunswick, represents the most affordable combination, with wedding costs averaging $26,000 and a down payment of $17,055 for an average-priced home of $341,100. At the opposite extreme, Greater Vancouver requires a substantial down payment of $86,480 for an average-priced home of $1,114,800, while weddings average $38,000.
"In comparison to places like Vancouver, Toronto, obviously Calgary is definitely on the more affordable side," Griffiths notes, highlighting the city's relative advantages.
The Shift Toward Practical Financial Planning
Despite Calgary's relative affordability compared to larger metropolitan centers, Griffiths observes a clear trend among the first-time buyers she works with. Many couples are consciously deciding to forgo large wedding celebrations entirely or opt for simpler ceremonies, redirecting those funds toward home purchases.
This financial pressure extends beyond the couples themselves, often involving parental support. Increasingly, parents are contributing to down payments instead of covering wedding expenses, reflecting changing priorities across generations.
"Calgary definitely offers a lot more flexibility for what they're going to purchase compared to a couple of the other major cities," Griffiths emphasizes, pointing to the city's diverse housing options.
Affordable Entry Points in Calgary's Market
The condominium market represents the most accessible entry point for first-time buyers in Calgary. According to recent CREB statistics, the median price for a resale apartment stood at approximately $305,000 in mid-February, reflecting a year-over-year decrease of about six percent.
For single-family detached homes, the median price was $695,000, down approximately three percent from the previous year. These figures illustrate the varied opportunities available to couples making strategic financial decisions about their futures.
While some Calgary couples still manage to balance both wedding celebrations and home purchases, the growing trend toward prioritizing real estate investment signals a fundamental reevaluation of traditional life milestones in response to contemporary economic realities.
