Iranian Couples Postpone Weddings Amid Rising Costs
The war and soaring inflation in Iran have pushed young couples to postpone weddings, cut costs, and rethink safety. Rising housing and wedding expenses, coupled with ongoing conflict, have reshaped marriage plans across the country.
By Felo News Desk · Published
When Subhan Dashti and his fiancée Nadia Sabzi chose the Iranian New Year of 1405—March 20–21—as their wedding date, they had already begun buying furniture and planning a modest ceremony. The couple, together since 2016, had budgeted about 70 million tomans (≈$302) for the event. But the outbreak of war on February 28, 2024, and a sharp rise in prices forced them to rethink their plans.
War, Inflation, and the Cost of a New Life
In the months that followed the U.S. and Israel‑backed attack, the Dashtis fled Tehran for the northern provinces. When hostilities paused, they returned to the capital only to find that wedding costs had climbed to roughly 100 million tomans (≈$432). Dashti, who earns about 100 million tomans a month, concluded that an immediate marriage was no longer financially viable. He announced that the wedding would be postponed for several more months.
Nadia Sabzi, 34, faced a different dilemma. While she could accept a smaller ceremony, safety remained paramount. A U.S. strike in early September hit a house in Kuhestak, Sirik County, where a wedding celebration was underway, killing several people and wounding dozens, including women and children. “For the past two weeks, I have been asking Subhan at night: what if the war starts again when we are getting married?” she said.
Wedding Prices Skyrocket Across Tehran
Bridal services in Tehran have seen a dramatic decline in demand. Simin Nouri, a makeup artist in Tehranpars, noted that during the summer’s peak wedding season her salon served two or three brides a day, whereas now it sees only two or three a week. Prices for a standard bridal package have risen from 70 million tomans to 150 million tomans for VIP services, while lower‑income areas see packages around 50 million tomans.
Clients are opting for cheaper options—skipping skincare, hair extensions, and opting for makeup and hairstyling only on the wedding night. Nouri observed that “the makeup was never the real obstacle – the wedding itself was.”
Housing Costs Add to the Burden
Housing costs have surged in tandem with wedding expenses. Pejman and Sanaz, who married in July 2024 after the 12‑day war, found their annual rent jump from 34 million tomans to 58 million tomans—a 71 % increase. Their new landlord demanded a 400 million‑toman deposit and 46 million tomans monthly rent, leaving Pejman, who earns 56 million tomans a month, with an 82 % rent burden. To cover the gap, they sold 13 grams of gold, which has since appreciated from 6.48 million tomans per gram to over 23 million tomans.
A mid‑range Tehran wedding for 100 guests now costs around 1.1 billion tomans (≈$4,752), more than double the 480 million tomans (≈$2,074) before the war. These figures illustrate how the cost of starting a household has become a primary obstacle for young couples.
State‑Backed Loans Fail to Bridge the Gap
Bank employee Abbas Derafshi sought a state‑backed marriage loan to cover the widening gap between income and expenses. Under President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration, the standard loan rose from 180 million tomans per person in 2023 to 300 million tomans in 2024, with a 10‑year repayment period and a 4 % service fee. The real purchasing power of the loan has fallen by roughly 64 % in dollar terms since 2023. Derafshi’s experience highlights the difficulty young couples face even when government assistance is available.
Long‑Term Consequences and the Need for Stability
Political scientist Jalil Dara notes that prolonged inflation and uncertainty contribute to anxiety, lower optimism, and delayed family formation among young Iranians. While national solidarity has risen, economic strain persists. Dara argues that the war accelerated pre‑existing problems—sanctions, chronic inflation, and weak investment—rather than creating them.
Economist Amir Hossein Mohaddes stresses that the more serious damage is unpredictability. Even if the war ends, rising prices for appliances and housing will not automatically reverse. To recover purchasing power, Iran needs currency stability, real wage growth, productive employment, stronger investment, and reduced economic uncertainty.
Facing these challenges, Pejman and Sanaz are contemplating studying abroad. “We love Iran and hope to return after our doctorates to work for our country,” Sanaz said. “We hope the situation will improve by then.”
What Comes Next?
As inflation continues and war‑related disruptions persist, Iranian couples are forced to postpone weddings, downgrade ceremonies, and in some cases abandon plans altogether. The long‑term solution requires comprehensive economic reforms beyond mere cessation of hostilities.
Key facts
- War and inflation have pushed Iranian couples to postpone weddings
- Wedding and housing costs have risen dramatically, eroding purchasing power
- State‑backed marriage loans are insufficient amid rising prices
- Economic uncertainty is causing delayed family formation
- Comprehensive economic reforms are needed to restore stability
Why it matters
The article shows how conflict and economic instability directly affect personal milestones, revealing broader social and economic challenges facing Iran’s youth.
Frequently asked questions
How much has the average wedding cost increased in Tehran?
The average cost of a mid‑range wedding for 100 guests has risen from about 480 million tomans to roughly 1.1 billion tomans.
What is the current minimum wage in Iran?
The minimum wage is about 16 million tomans per month, roughly $68 at current open‑market rates.
Are there government marriage loans available?
Yes, but the loan amounts have increased while their real purchasing power has fallen, making them less effective.
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Postponing the future: War and inflation redraw marriage terms in Iran”
