The Cost of Weddings in Uzbekistan: Who Benefits
Wedding season has returned to Uzbekistan, bringing with it the hustle and bustle of banquet halls, the return of makeup artists, photo sessions and discussions about expenses, loans and spending habits. Almost as if on cue, a presidential decree was issued on April 21, outlining plans to introduce new regulations for weddings, funerals and other family events.
These new rules intend to combat extravagance and promote a culture of frugality among young people.
Kursiv Uzbekistan aimed to determine the current costs of hosting a wedding in Uzbekistan, identify who benefits the most from it and analyse how the industry manages peak season demands. Experts also provided their insights.
Where a wedding begins
Over 20,000 marriages are registered in Tashkent every year. In 2023, there were 22,352 weddings, and in 2024, that number is expected to rise to 22,755. Despite economic challenges, weddings remain a top priority for many, as they are often regarded as one of the most important and memorable days in a person’s life.
The primary task in organising a wedding is budgeting. In Uzbek families, the groom’s and bride’s parents typically get involved in the planning process. Ultimately, key decisions are usually made by the elders; however, in more modern families, the newlyweds also have a voice in the planning.
Close relatives’ involvement is often unavoidable. It’s essential not to disappoint family members because, as a famous line from an Uzbek movie suggests, «The whole mahalla (neighbourhood) talks about it.» As such, weddings must be grand enough to be the talk of the town.
The next step is creating the guest list, as the number of guests directly affects the total cost. Once the guest list is finalised, the search for the perfect venue begins.
An average wedding in Tashkent for 150 to 200 guests typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the scale of the event and personal preferences. The venue is the most significant factor influencing the price, with options ranging from simple neighborhood cafés to trendy banquet halls in the city center.
Inside look at the wedding industry
Jamshid is the manager of the Turkiston wedding restaurant in Tashkent. He eagerly anticipates the peak season, when earnings significantly increase, helping to offset the slow winter period. He has already booked orders for morning plov and evening weddings through June, filling his work calendar for the entire summer.
During the wedding season, banquet costs vary depending on the venue and restaurant quality. «The average cost is between $30 and $50 per person. Therefore, a wedding for 200 people can cost between $6,000 and $10,000,» explains Jamshid.
Having worked in the wedding industry for ten years, Jamshid has extensive experience. He modestly estimates his income, stating, «On regular days without weddings, I make $20 a day; on wedding days, I earn $40. This adds up to about $600 to $1,200 a month.» Last year, the restaurant hosted approximately 230 to 240 weddings.
Toastmaster creates the atmosphere
One of the key players at a wedding is the «tamada» (toastmaster), or host. Their fees typically range from $200 to $700 per evening, depending on their popularity. During peak season, a tamada may host three to four weddings a week, and sometimes even two in one day, one in the daytime and another in the evening. However, there are «star» tamadas whose fees start at $1,000 and can go up significantly.
«If it’s a famous showman and comedian like Davron Kabulov, the host has to pay $1,000 to $1,500. Davron might even refuse to host if the restaurant is not good enough,» says Jamshid.
The job demands full dedication, requiring two to four hours of non-stop activity. A good tamada needs charisma and a deep knowledge of traditions. They create a festive atmosphere by reciting poetry, singing and sometimes dancing.
Photography, videography and the wedding motorcade are separate budget items. The motorcade costs depend on the number of cars and companions escorting the bride and groom, typically ranging from $800 to $1,000.
Timur Ismailov, a professional videographer with hundreds of weddings under his belt, comments that shooting weddings used to be more lucrative before COVID.
«There were more guests and fewer videographers back then. Now, you can cover an entire wedding for $100 to $150; no one will pay more. I might do three to four shoots a week during the season,» says Timur.
How musicians thrive in the wedding industry
Music is vital to any wedding, featuring popular songs in Uzbek, Russian and Tajik languages. A typical music group consists of two singers and three to four musicians who can earn between $300 and $500 per evening.
Wealthy families often invite Uzbek pop stars to perform at their weddings. These stars typically work under a «single-appearance» arrangement, singing five songs and then moving on to the next event. Fees for well-known groups like Yalla, Yulduz Usmanova, or Munisa Rizaeva range from $1,500 to $2,500. According to restaurant manager Jamshid these stars charge between $8,000 and $10,000 for full wedding performances
Decorators and florists are also essential to the wedding process. Their services start at $200 for a basic package and can go up to $500 for complete turnkey decorations. They usually begin setting up the night before the wedding, which involves installing decorations, arranging flowers and preparing textiles to ensure everything is perfect.
Bridal salons, staffed with stylists and makeup artists, open before dawn. Their services range from $50 to $200 «per bride», and their schedules are fully booked. They often have clients booked in the morning and again in the evening, starting as early as 6 a.m. or even earlier.
Cost-effective approaches to extravagant Uzbek weddings
Professional tamada Uchkun Tursunov, who is well-versed in the industry, believes that weddings can be organised more sustainably. He suggests, «Why serve three main dishes when two, plus ice cream, would suffice?» This is one way to save money without compromising quality.
Tursunov also highlights the high costs associated with hiring artists:
«Rather than inviting a star who charges $10,000, consider hiring five or six performers for that amount. This can provide a much richer program.»
Tursunov emphasises the importance of having clear contracts in place:
«Lighting, music and other essential services should be included in the rental fee, rather than being sold separately. It’s crucial to avoid having restaurant advertisements at the event; the focus should remain on the newlyweds, without any restaurant logos distracting from the celebration.»
Personal Experiences
Kamilla Maksudkhonova, 33:
«Our wedding was small and cosy. My husband didn’t have many family members, and since it was my second marriage, we decided to keep it simple and invite only our closest friends and family. Our total budget was around $2,000.
Rather than choosing a restaurant, we rented a large house outside the city and hosted a warm gathering for our loved ones. We opted out of hiring photographers or videographers — just our nearest and dearest. Despite the minimalism, it turned out to be incredibly joyful and heartfelt.
My main advice is to plan according to your means rather than comparing yourself to others. Assess realistically how much you have and are willing to spend. Always do your research — prices can vary greatly, with wedding dresses ranging from $100 online to $10,000 in boutiques. There’s always a sensible middle ground.
Most importantly, remember that the wedding is not the end, but just the beginning. Focus not only on the celebration but also on your life together, your plans and your future children — the real journey starts after the wedding.»
Azim and Shakhnosa, married couple:
Shakhnosa, 25:
«We got married in November 2023 with a budget of about $8,000. This covered a morning plov for 200 guests, a bridal party for 50, and an evening banquet for 100. Our parents organised everything, and most importantly, we had no debts afterward. We then moved to Turkey to continue our studies, and now we’re happily raising our son.
I suggest that this is your day. If you don’t want an expensive banquet, don’t have one. Avoid wasting money on outdated traditions that don’t resonate with you. Instead, focus on giving each other gifts that matter and invest in creating meaningful emotions and memories.»
Azim, 29:
«Getting married in Tashkent can be quite expensive. Don’t wait for decrees and restrictions—use a calculator. The wedding services market has many options available. Just avoid going into debt to impress others.»
Insights into tradition and control
Russian ethnologist and historian Sergey Abashin, who has written books on Uzbekistan’s history, believes that the state’s initiative to regulate wedding rituals is economically and socially sound. This regulation often aims to save money and address social inequality and corruption.
«However, outside of the political context, it’s important to understand that spending on weddings and ceremonies is neither whimsical nor foolish. From a scientific perspective, be it ethnography, anthropology, or sociology, it’s well established that people do not spend on rituals without justification. The reasoning behind this expenditure is strengthening social ties and building social capital,» the expert emphasises.
Scholar-philosopher Ravshan Nazarov adds that historically, weddings served to reinforce clan ties, maintain social order and display family status within society.
«Today, weddings remain significant social indicators, with the scale and grandeur of the event reflecting the family’s standing in the community. This is important for the newlyweds and their relatives and neighbours, as it reinforces collective bonds and respect,» he explains.
Adapting wedding trends in a timeless industry
Weddings are significant events for two families and a vital source of income for an entire industry. Behind each celebration, numerous individuals work tirelessly, often outside the formal economy.
Restaurant manager Jamshid expresses confidence about adapting to changes:
«Will they reduce the number of guests? Shorten the ceremonies? No problem. The average spending per guest will simply increase. The industry won’t lose income.»
Tamada Uchkun Tursunov adds,
«Restrictions don’t alter the essence of the occasion. People will continue to celebrate just in different ways.»
