Remember the days of backyard weddings, or casual receptions at the local pub?
Getting married in the nearby church, and then having a few drinks at the neighbourhood scout hall? (Did anyone do that?!)
Those days are gone. Long, long gone.
When you factor in all the fashionable wedding must-haves these days, from personalised bomboniere to specialised videographers, the price of the average Australian wedding has sky-rocketed.
According to a survey run by Bride to Be magazine, the average cost in Australia is now $65,482.
That’s a fair wad of cash.
Want to save money on your wedding? Here’s how.
Three years ago, it was $36,000. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
We can only assume it was because of some of the crazier wedding trends that have come about in the past few years.
Underwater photo shoots, perhaps?
Destination weddings in any city other than the one that would be most convenient?
Fancy wedding invitations, maybe?
Hipster photography sessions? New and exciting wedding venues?
The list of new wedding trends is long and expensive. Not unlike a wedding itself.
No wonder so many couples are asking for cash at their weddings.
However, we don’t doubt that most couples would high-five and cheer “worth it!”. It’s now more traditional for a couple to pay for the wedding themselves, than to have the bride’s parents controlling the purse strings. So the sky’s the limit.
Why not blow a year’s salary on a lolly buffet and Polaroid cameras for every table? As long as there is musk sticks and cake and dancing, everyone’s a winner.
What do you think? Money well-spent, or money down the drain?
Top Comments
What's important is that the wedding day reflect the couple. Everyone is different. If the couple always loves to flash money around it would be out of character for them to have a 'budget' wedding. The reverse is also true. I do, however, believe that the couple shines more if they put more of themselves into the day and make a connection with their guests. I know someone who did the full white wedding in a church and lives to regret the day as they were never and have never since been religious. I love the weddings where the music is a reflection of the couple - I hired a DJ but had to supply most of my own CD's as many of the songs I listed were not mainstream enough for his collection! (This was pre itunes and other electronic devices which would have enabled us to omit the DJ all together!).
Be true to yourself. Do it for yourself and not for others. Every wedding is beautiful regardless of price if the sentiment is there. Don't begrudge someone spending a fortune and don't look down on someone not spending much.
Around $7000 for us. Our wedding was over several yards in our unit complex. We had plenty of brides maids/flower girls and outfits all included in cost. We made our own arch, a friend did the flowers, and we hired in some nice chairs and went to the bottle-lo for champagne to toast with.We had a three course dinner and drinks covered at the RSL with Dj/60's dance party and a view of the beach. We brought all the bombardiers, napkins, table runners online and even had activity pack for the kids. We talked to the rsl and there were games for the kids and some awesome face painters as well. A friend/budding photographer did the photos (awesome job) and family filmed. Great day.