Comments on: Not So Average Wedding Cost

By: suzie

suzie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:02:50 +0000

Im doing my wedding in rural nsw for $17-19,000. that’s after shaving costs. And im not financing anything, doing it all from savings. We have stayed engaged for as long as it has taken to save for it, because i dont believe you should buy things you cant afford!

Ive shaved costs by getting my dress new with tags (afred angelo) off ebay for a few hundred, most of the decore is off ebay, silk fowers from overseas (yep-ebay), using our own cars as wedding cars, and having a small bridal party! Im borrowing a lot of things, and not hiring things, when you can buy them online for the same amount and resell to get some cash back!

And most importantly, im only inviting who i want there, not who i ‘feel i should invite’. If you wouldnt usually pay $60 a head to go to dinner with that ‘guest’ when you see them, then dont invite them! One other thing- im the ‘i’ll pay for it myself bride’ so that kind of helps me get away with not inviting 2nd great aunt watsa name, and not having to have some kid i dont know in the bridal party!

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:21:23 +0000

With the average bride being older and more educated I am not surprised she can splurge. Plus the delay on having children should have a cost saving on the short term (Who cares at that point about having to fork out for IVF later on). So I am not surprised at all over the average.
At the end of the day is about afordability and choices.
I have met a lot of people who spend $500 on regular basis on weekends in alcohol and food. Or those who pay for boating or expensive trips overseas.
So if you want to get married, go for it, spend what you can afford. And more importantly on what you and your fiance want.
Do haggle though, shop around, use the internet and be decisive. (Seriously beige 22 vs beige sparkly 43, choose the cheapest!)
And if you think someone is going to be judging you over how much you will spend…
Simple don’t invite them and save yourself some $$…
Remember there is a lot of people who want to get married in the world and can’t
(My heart goes to my gorgeous gay friends)

So either bring a picnic basquet or go a bit over the top. Whatever you can afford.
Just keep your priorities right, the most difficult thing to find and most expensive you already have. The groom…

By: christina

christina — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:08:22 +0000

Hi Matt

You chose an emotional subject here! So many brides do class this as the biggest day in their life as its been a goal of theirs since they were little girls and they expect their intended to be prepared to fork out the cash for it and make it a special day with all the trimmings. Funny enough a lot of the guys are also getting into the wedding planning of it all as a joint fun exercise. You can be smart on your wedding finances by shopping for everything on the internet not only from Australia but look overseas as well. Oh and as the saying goes “you only do it once” so why not splurge it’s only money and you do not know what is around the next corner of life!

By: janine

janine — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:54:02 +0000

Rubbish! 50 grand my arse!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:24:58 +0000

Our celebrant is also the most expensive thing, with the dress a close second. It is about asking what is really important. Yes I want a special day, and it will be special. But I don’t want to put our future happiness in jeapordy for that one day.

By: Di

Di — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:11:53 +0000

Our budget is $4,000 & I would love to shave it down to $3,000. All that money would be better off invested in a couples future. Seems to me that people are more concerned with having a fancy wedding, forgetting that a marriage comes after it. We’re making the day about the celebration of our love with our friends & family in a party atmosphere & doing a lot of the work ourselves (flowers, decorations, cake, photos etc), with the most expensive items being the reception & the cost of the celebrant – even my dress won’t cost as much as the celebrant. We’re excited about it, happy to be doing what we can ourselves & not stressing about any of it, unlike those who will find themselves in debt over 1 day.

By: Matt Hern

Matt Hern — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:32:01 +0000

I agree it is ridiculous to start a marriage with such a massive debt from just one day.

Congrats on getting your budget down to just $3,000.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 01:01:18 +0000

How ridiculous, we are doing ours on a budget of $3000. This is a day to tell your friends and family that you want to spend your life together, that life should not begin with a $50,000debt! Its just getting beyond silly. We are having a dj, flowers, marquee reception, gourmet finger foods, wine and champagne, pretty dress made by a local dressmaker instead of an overpriced designer.
With a bit of diy and some family and friend favours there is no need to break the bank, if I wanted to do it cheaper I could cut out some of the extra luxuries, but we can comfortably afford our budget without borrowing or expecting family to fork out cash.

By: The Importance of Having Weddings | Oracle Juice

The Importance of Having Weddings | Oracle Juice — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:18:27 +0000

[...] We both think that spending $30,000 on one day is ridiculous. And we will not spend that much. (Although apparently the average spent on a wedding is a lot higher.) [...]

By: Matt Hern

Matt Hern — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:25:40 +0000

Thanks Jeff for sharing your story from the coal face.