Celebrate the Love & New Life

Weddings are celebrations of love and life but truth be told, they can be a tad expensive, too. How much do weddings cost is the age-old question. There are couples that really go all the way with their ceremonies & reception while others choose to take a more practical approach.

How Much do Weddings Cost - Averages

And when it comes to an average of how much do weddings cost in Australia, the Ibis World Wedding Report pegs it at around $33k.

You might be wondering where all the dollars go. Well, here are just some of the expenses that you can expect to incur if you opt for a traditional wedding setup:

• Suits and gowns
• Flowers
• Venue and celebrant fees
• Reception setup and catering
• Gifts for the bridal party and key family members plus souvenirs for guests (aka Bonbonieres)
• Visit the salon, hair, and makeup
• Wedding invitations
• Video and wedding photography
• Wedding cake
• Wedding bands and engagement ring
• DJ/MC plus Sound and lighting
• Transportation (limo)

How much do weddings cost?

If you feel that incurring these expenses is not reasonable, don’t fret — there are ways you can still have the wedding of your dreams without burning a hole in your wallet or wedding dress for that matter. It all starts with you saving for the big day right after you get engaged.

Budgeting

Considering that you and your groom-to-be are both working, you can set aside about a quarter of your monthly wages for the wedding. This may not seem like a big amount to start but it all adds up. Save more if you can — there’s no harm in that, so why not?

It’ll also help if you cut back on other daily costs like your morning cup of flat white (make coffee at home instead), fancy date nights, phone bills, shopping excursions (because it’s not just a simple trip for most women), and big holiday trips.

Wedding Dress

When it comes to your wedding dress, there’s always that perfect one that will suit your tastes without it having to be utterly expensive. As custom dresses can cost a lot of money these days, it’s actually a good thing that ready-to-wear, on-the-rack dresses are readily available. Bridal shops can alter these to fit your frame. They can also jazz up the dress if you wish, all without the hefty costs.

Reception

For the reception, narrowing down your guest list can help you manage costs. Remember that it’s your special day and it should be shared with those who really matter. So, not inviting your boss’ second cousin’s daughter whom you bumped into at the office party is a non-issue. Just think your savings from how much the wedding costs can be used on other components of the wedding, or better yet, for your honeymoon.

Honeymoon

Speaking of the honeymoon, this is another costly part of getting married but an expense that you should definitely not skimp on. All you have to do is be smarter with your choices when it comes to transport arrangements, accommodations, and the like. If you can save on the first two then you’ll have more funds to use for activities, food, and other stuff that you’ll remember for years on end.

Sacrifices

Weddings are usually expensive but if you take a closer look, they don’t really have to cost as much if you take a couple of things into consideration. Simple sacrifices can help you execute the wedding of your dreams and have leftover funds for an amazing honeymoon with your hubby.

Your Thoughts?

What are your saving tips and thoughts on how much do weddings cost? What would you definitely not skimp on? Email your thoughts directly to Cyrus, we would love to hear from you and we might include your invaluable tips on the next update.