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Weddings can be expensive events, requiring outlay on numerous common items and services, including but not limited to bride and bridesmaids' dresses, venue hire, wedding cake, marriage celebrants and venue hire.
While for a deluxe wedding the sky's the limit, during 2021 the average cost of a wedding in Australia totalled $27.2k. Savvy's 2021 wedding cost infographic details what you're likely to pay for the most common expenses in Australia over the coming year.
Take a look at Savvy's average wedding costs infographic to help you prepare for your special day.
Other Average Wedding Costs Australia
Weddings are so much more than the wedding dress, venue hire, cakes, and celebrants. There are many other costs that comprise a wedding in Australia. For example, wedding invitations cost $760 on average. Here’s a breakdown of other crucial wedding costs in Australia.
Average Australian Wedding Costs of Food and Drink
According to the Easy Weddings report, the average cost of wedding catering is $5,368, up 18% from the previous year. The most common form of food service is the “alternate drop,” where a patron may order one of two entrees, mains, and desserts, accompanied by bread rolls. 57% of couples chose various styles such as roving finger food, food trucks, buffets, and platters.
Videography Average Wedding Costs Australia
The average wedding cost for videography in Australia is $2,817. 78% of couples will have someone film their wedding, and of this group, 61% will hire a professional videographer. 56% of couples hire a videographer for the entire day, while only 7% will hire a videographer to film the wedding ceremony only.
Photography Average Wedding Costs Australia
91% of Australian wedding couples will hire a professional photographer to capture the day in candid shots as well as formal portraiture. Wedding photography cost $3,152 on average, up 5.5% from the previous year.
Photographer hire was the most expensive in NSW ($3,702), followed by Victoria ($3,074), and the ACT ($2,927.) The cheapest photography was found in the Northern Territory ($1,820.)
36% commemorate their engagement with an engagement shoot, and 60% purchase a wedding album from their photographer.
Candid and natural photography was the most popular style among Australian wedding couples (61%) with a mix of traditional and candid the second most popular (33%). “Fine art” and traditional styles comprised 3% popularity each.
Unsurprisingly, 100% of wedding photographers use Instagram to promote their business, with 92% using Facebook. Photographers don’t use Snapchat or Twitter at all (0%!)
Average Australian Wedding Hire Costs
More than half of Australian couples hire furniture and styling props for their big day, costing $2,195 on average, down 9% over the previous year. This was most expensive in NSW ($2,431), second most in Queensland ($2,315), and then Victoria ($2,234.) The cheapest average cost of wedding prop hire was in South Australia ($1,768.)
Decorations such as flowers cost an average of $1,973 – a massive 58.5% increase over last year.
Around 10% of couples hired an outdoor marquee for their wedding pre-COVID, but suppliers believe that there will be a surge in outdoor weddings. 57% of couples over the last year hired furniture or props for their wedding.
Average Formal Wear Costs for Australian Weddings
With grooms men and groom fashion being more versatile – a wedding suit can also be used for other occasions – the majority of grooms (65%) purchase their suits and accessories for their wedding at an average cost of $1,444 (up 1.5% on the previous year.) 11% hire their suit and 19% have a suit tailor made.
The most popular form of dress code is formal (32%) with cocktail (25%) and semi-formal (24%) rounding out the top three.
Average Cost of Wedding Bands or Music
The average cost of hiring wedding music or entertainment in Australia is $1,745, up 7.5% over last year. 73% of couples will have wedding music for their day – with 41% of these hiring a DJ, 23% hiring a DJ/band combo, and 16% hiring a band. 36% will hire an MC to host the reception. 88% of couples include a first dance at their reception.
Average Transport Costs for Weddings
59% of couples book transport for their wedding day, at an average spend of $1,118 (up 7% over last year.) 44% will book one car; 35% will book two. Vintage cars are the most popular (25%) with a tie between Classic and Modern (21% each.)
If you are planning a wedding in the coming year and find these figures daunting, consider comparing the best personal loans available in the market. Competitive rates can help take the financial sting out of tying the knot.
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