For richer, for poorer: planning a wedding

So, how much does the average wedding cost in Western Australia?

Your special day will probably be the most expensive party you'll ever throw. It’s important to work out a budget before you start making plans so that you'll remember your special day for all the right reasons.

According to ASIC’s Moneysmart, the average Australian wedding costs $36,000 and Easy Wedding's most recent survey found that couples spent 25.5% more than they originally budgeted for. 

• Venue - WA average $12,154
• Food & drink - WA average $121 per head
• Wedding dress - WA average $2,096
• Photography - WA average $2,842
• Celebrant - WA average $675
• Decorations & flowers - WA average $3,072
• Music & entertainment - WA average $1,409

And that is before you factor in suits and bridesmaid dresses, a wedding cake, invitations, hair and make-up... It's easy to see that costs can run away without a disciplined approach. 

Look out for hidden costs

Keep an eye on the ‘other’ costs when putting together a wedding budget. These hidden expenses are generally not included in the costs outlined above, and have the potential to blow out your overall budget by thousands of dollars.

1. Pre-wedding costs – This includes engagement parties, hen’s and buck’s nights, rehearsal dinners, not to mention pre and post wedding brunches, lunches and dinners.
2. Overtime costs – It’s important to keep an eye on the time on your big day, as once you go over the allocated time, venues and other hired staff (such as the photographer/videographer) will likely charge additional fees.
3. Pre-wedding beauty treatments – Manicures, pedicures, haircuts and spray tans for the bridal party can literally add hundreds to an already stretched budget.
4. Gifts for your bridal party, parents and other important people – Nice to have, but important to factor into your budget. Even a reasonably priced bottle of wine as a present can add up by the time you buy a few bottles.

Ways to reduce your wedding costs

1. Decide on your budget together and hold each other (and your family!) to account.
2. Focus on your number one priority and work back from there - a destination wedding, the more the merrier, the photography, the dress, the food. What's important to you?
3. Determine your guest list first. Where will you draw the line to create the day that you both want?
4. Shop around and get lots of quotes. Find out what you're really getting for your money. "Wedding tax" can be a real thing; you might be surprised how much value you're really getting for your dollars.
5. Consider having your wedding on a different day of the week or steer clear of peak wedding dates.
6. Get creative with the location. Gone are the days where weddings are celebrated in traditional locations.
7. Get your friends and family to assist with things like the transport, cake, music and photography.
8. Don’t waste money on expensive extras. Do you really need menu cards, programs, a photo booth, a candy bar and wedding favours?
9. Choose one location for the ceremony and reception to cut down on transport/venue hire costs.
10. Buy wedding outfits, especially suits and bridesmaid dresses, online - or think about renting them. You may find wedding dresses online at rock bottom prices, but keep in mind that intricately beaded or delicate dresses can cost a fortune in alteration costs, and end up just as much as off the rack.

The honeymoon

Your honeymoon is another added cost which you may not have factored into your big day. If costs are an issue, consider a short, close-by break right after the wedding, and enjoy a bigger holiday a couple of months later. Not only will it give you more time to save money, but you can probably accrue more annual leave as well to plan for a longer trip.

A great first step to plan how much you can set aside for the wedding is to use our budget planner calculator, and once you’ve got your budget you can maximise your savings by utilising a dedicated savings account such as a Hi Saver or a Term Deposit to make the most of your money.