What Weddings Cost

So you’re getting married… Congratulations!Now it’s time to knuckle-down, get your head together, and think your event through.

What are your requirements? What are the essential items and the nice-to-haves?

Do you have a budget in mind? Do you know what your money will get you?

Weddingbuzz.com.au is here to hold your hand and guide you through, just like the

perfect bridesmaid.

This e-book is a great starting point for couples planning their big day. Not many

businesses out there are willing to discuss price upfront, often leaving couples in the

dark. Here we provide the average cost of 10 most common wedding expenses, along

with tips on how to save valuable funds. Use this guide when posting a project on

Weddingbuzz.com.au to generate the best value possible.

Wedding Venue $2000- Consider the time of year, the season, the potential weather. Popular

months include April and September.

- Wedding venues are less expensive during the week. Holding your

event on a Friday is worth considering.

- Weekday weddings reduce the risk of the venue holding back-to-

back events, making the timing of the day much more relaxed.

Wedding Cake $600- Some couples keep the top tier of their cake for the first anniversary.

Ensure this tier is made of traditional fruit in order to preserve it.

- Serve your wedding cake as dessert. Most venues charge a small

plating fee, but this is still cheaper than having a dessert on the menu.

- Opting for detailed decorations such as flowers or a lace effect will

add significant cost to the cake.

Wedding Dress $1200- Choose your veil to match the length of your dress. Don’t wear a tiny

veil with a long trailing dress.

- Utilise the expertise of the assistant to ensure your dress fits perfectly

and suits your body shape.

- Don’t feel obligated to wear white. Plenty of brides are opting for

cream, silver or light purple and still look classy. Pinterest will inspire

you.

Photographer $2300- Use your meetings to the fullest. Get to know your photographer and

become comfortable with them.

- Know what style of images you would like (candid or posed), the

mood you want to portray (fun or classic), and which guests you want

formal photographs with.

- Be aware of any fees that may be charged for overtime and extras.

Flowers $2000- DIY flowers are a fun and inexpensive activity. Visit your local flower

market and utilise online video tutorials to help you prepare your

arrangements.

- Flower prices fluctuate according to the season, and can reduce the

availability of certain varieties. Discuss your options with your florist.

Establish which flowers are in-season as these may reduce your costs.

- Consider cheaper alternatives for table arrangements. Candles make

a great substitute, without losing style.

Reception Venue $13,000- Inviting 110 guests is considered average.

- A popular choice for couples is to pay for drinks only during the meal

times. Most reception menus will include service of a red wine, white

wine and beer.

- It is common practice to include a meal for the photographer and

band or DJ.

Celebrant $600- The celebrant is a great source of local wedding knowledge. Ensure

you meet with and select the celebrant early in the planning process.

Establishing a rapport will add to the overall experience, enhancing

both the ceremony and the day.

- More than 50% of weddings are held outside of a church. A church

wedding usually requires a donation.

- Want to include significant guests in your wedding? The celebrant

has the best advice on what reading will match your ceremony. This is

a great opportunity to really personalise your wedding.

Hair Styling $150- A trial run is essential. Hold your hair and make-up trial on your hen’s

night so it doesn’t go to waste.

- Have your hair match your dress. If you’ve opted for a conservative

but elegant dress, draw attention to your hair. Wear it out and

add volume, or up and compliment with accessories.

- Certain hair types and cuts will make curls drop too quickly, consider

how long your style needs to last.

Invitations $400- First impressions last, and the invitation is the first insight into your

wedding day.

- DIY is popular for the more creative brides, consider your skills and

the time involved before starting the DIY process.

- Make your invitations a worthy keepsake. Many people will keep this

as a reminder of your wedding.

- Don’t forget to consider the cost of postage, which quickly adds up.

Transport $800- Most companies have a minimum 3 hour booking.

- Ensure your choice of car reflects your wedding theme.

- Additional charges can apply for excess travel.

- Always check that your hired transportation includes a driver.

Our goal is to make planning a wedding easierWhether you are a couple or a small business, we know how valuable your time and money are.

For couples, we know that planning a wedding can be overwhelming and time consuming. How

long do you really have to compare all those Google contacts? We also understand that couples

have a budget, and need to stick to it!

We also know how hard it is running a small business or being a sole trader, particularly in

this competitive economic environment. The cost of marketing and promoting yourself in the

competitive wedding industry can simply be uneconomical.

This is why we came up with Weddingbuzz.com.au – an online marketplace that unites couples

with small businesses, helping them to have the wedding they desire, at the price they can afford.

Our goal is to make planning a wedding easier• Easy for couples to post their projects and

to research the businesses that bid, before

committing to them;

• Suppliers receive a notification email when a

project has been posted which they could fulfil,

they then have the opportunity to bid for the

business and provide suggestions;

• The site helps couples save money by having a

number of businesses competing to be a part of

their day, providing plenty of options to compare;

• We save money for businesses, with no

large upfront payments like traditional

advertising. Plus, we link you with couples

who are ready to buy. You only pay a fee

when you have secured a sale.

Learn more at www.weddingbuzz.com.au

All prices in this book have been obtained from

a variety of sources, including but not limited to:

- Weddingbuzz.com.au survey

- IBIS World

- Australian Bureau of Statistics