One of the first (and biggest) questions newly engaged couples ask is: “What does a wedding actually cost?”

From booking your dream venue to locking in your favourite photographer, there are a lot of moving parts – and each one comes with a price tag. Having clear, realistic figures from the start makes every other decision so much easier.

This guide pulls together the latest insights from across the Australian wedding industry so you can see where the money usually goes, what’s “normal”, and how to set a budget that suits your priorities.

Average Wedding Cost in Australia in 2025

Recent national wedding surveys suggest Australian couples are spending, on average, around $35,000 on their wedding day, with many couples starting with a budget closer to $27,000 and then adjusting as planning unfolds (Easy Weddings, 2025)

A few key patterns:

Most couples end up spending more than they originally planned (often 20–30% above the first draft of their budget).
Around two-thirds of couples receive some financial help from family.
Some weddings come in under $20,000, while others exceed $50,000 or even $100,000 – it all depends on guest numbers, location, and the level of detail and luxury you’re aiming for.

How to Start Building Your Wedding Budget

Before you get lost in Pinterest boards and moodboards, it helps to sit down together and talk through some big-picture questions:

Where will we get married? (City, regional, interstate, destination?)
Roughly how many guests do we want?
What are our non-negotiables? (Food? Music? Photography? Dress? Styling?)
How much can we comfortably afford – including any help from family?
Are we okay going over our first estimate if needed, or is our budget firm?

From there, you can:

Set a total number you feel comfortable with.
Allocate percentage “buckets” to each category (e.g. 45% to venue and catering).
Get real quotes from vendors to replace your estimates.
Move money around based on what matters most to you both.

Wedding Cost Breakdown by Category

Below are common categories and typical Australian spend ranges. These are averages – your actual costs may sit lower or higher depending on where you live and the style of wedding you’re planning.

Wedding Venue & Reception

Average venue spend: around $16,000
Often 40–50% of the entire wedding budget
Includes: venue hire, food, beverages, staffing, setup and basic furniture

What affects the cost?

Day of the week (Saturday is premium)
Guest numbers
Menu style (plated, shared, buffet, cocktail)
Inclusions (glassware, linens, AV, coordination, styling)

Marriage Celebrant

Average cost: around $900–$1,200
More tailored, personalised ceremonies tend to sit toward the higher end

You’re paying for:

Legal paperwork and lodgement
Custom script writing
Rehearsal (if included)
Ceremony delivery and sound equipment

Photography

Average spend: approximately $3,000–$3,500
Top-tier photographers or all-day coverage can go well beyond this

What affects cost?

Hours of coverage
One photographer vs two
Engagement shoot add-ons
Travel, accommodation and editing time

Videography

Average spend: often similar to photography, around $3,000–$3,500
Cinematic films, multiple cameras, and drone footage can increase pricing

Why couples book video:

You can hear your vows and speeches again
You’ll see the moments you missed on the day
Parents and grandparents often value having moving memories

Wedding Dresses & Formalwear

Average wedding dress budget: around $2,500
Many brides purchase new; some choose custom-made or pre-loved

Other attire costs:

Alterations (hems, bustles, fit adjustments)
Veil and accessories
Suits or tuxedos for partner and party (often $2,000+ in total for the group)

Wedding Cars & Transport

Average spend: around $1,000–$1,200

This usually covers:

3–5 hours of hire
Chauffeur
Ribbon and minor styling
Travel between accommodation, ceremony and reception

Wedding Music & Entertainment

Average spend: around $2,000
Many couples choose a DJ, live band, or a mix of both

Things that influence pricing:

Live band vs solo performer vs DJ
Ceremony + canapés + reception vs reception only
Travel time, setup and late-night finishes

Wedding Flowers

Average spend: often around $2,400–$2,500

This can include:

Bridal bouquet + bridesmaids’ bouquets
Buttonholes and corsages
Ceremony florals (arbour, plinths, pew ends)
Reception arrangements and centrepieces

Costs increase with:

Large installations (e.g. hanging pieces, full arches)
Premium, imported blooms
Complex set-ups or multiple locations

Catering

For venues without in-house catering or for marquee/property weddings:

Average catering cost: often $6,000+ for a full-scale wedding

Common service styles:

Alternate-drop sit-down
Share plates and feasting menus
Cocktail receptions with roaming canapés
Food trucks or station-style service

Don’t forget to factor in:

Staff
Equipment hire
Catering marquees (if off-site)

Hire, Furniture & Décor

Average spend: around $2,400

This may cover:

Chairs, tables, lounges and bar setups
Linen, napkins, cutlery, plates, glassware
Arbours, backdrops, signage stands and easels

DIY or property weddings often spend more on hire than couples using all-inclusive venues.

Styling, Decorations & Details

Separate to furniture hire, this includes:

Linen upgrades, speciality candles and runners
Welcome signs, seating charts, place cards
Table numbers, feature backdrops, props

Most couples spend $2,000+ in this area, but it varies wildly based on your vision. Minimalist styling is often much more budget friendly than heavily layered looks.

Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Average total: around $800

Typical patterns:

Many couples spend less than $200 per dress
Others spend $200–$400 per dress for higher-end labels
Consider whether you or your bridesmaids will cover the cost – either approach is common

Invitations & Stationery

Average spend: around $900–$1,000 for invitations
Plus postage, which can easily add $2+ per invite

Items to budget for:

Save-the-dates (optional)
Invitations and envelopes
RSVP cards (or a wedding website form)
On-the-day items such as menus and place cards

Wedding Cake

Average cake cost: around $650

Price depends on:

Number of tiers and guests
Buttercream vs fondant
Sugar flowers, hand-painting, or custom details

Some couples opt for a smaller “display” cake plus a separate sheet cake in the kitchen to keep costs down.

Hair & Makeup

Average total spend: around $900

Usually includes:

Bridal hair and makeup
Trials (often recommended)
Bridal party styling
Travel to your getting-ready location

Photo Booths & Extra Fun

Average photo booth hire: around $1,000

Options include:

Enclosed booths
Open-air setups
Mirror booths
Kombi/van booths
Polaroid-style DIY corners

These are a great way to entertain guests and double as favours if prints can be taken home.

Bomboniere (Wedding Favours)

Average total: around $800–$900
Many couples spend $5–$10 per guest

Popular choices:

Edible treats
Small candles or homewares
Mini spirits or bottled cocktails
Charitable donations in lieu of physical gifts

On-the-Day Wedding Coordination

On-the-day coordination typically sits around $1,800–$3,500, depending on:

Location
Size and complexity of your wedding
How much setup and pack-down is required
How many vendors and moving parts are involved

Rather than managing everything yourself on the day, a coordinator:

Runs your timeline
liaises with your venue and suppliers
solves problems quietly in the background
makes sure you and your guests can relax and actually enjoy the celebration

For many couples, this is one of the best value investments in terms of stress saved.

How to Keep Wedding Costs Under Control

No matter what your total budget is, a few principles will always help:

Start with guest numbers. Fewer guests = lower venue, catering and hire costs.
Decide your top three priorities. Spend more there, trim other areas.
Consider off-peak dates. Weekdays and winter dates often attract better deals.
Combine ceremony and reception at one location. Saves time, transport and extra styling.
Be realistic about DIY. It can save money, but only if you have the time, storage and help.
Track everything. Use a spreadsheet or budget tool and update it every time you book someone.

Final Thoughts: Your Wedding, Your Way

There’s no single “right” amount to spend on a wedding. Some couples feel excited by the idea of a luxury, all-out celebration; others dream of something small and intimate. Both are valid.

The most important thing is that your budget reflects:

your values
your financial reality
and the kind of day you actually want

With a realistic cost breakdown, clear priorities and the right support on the day, you can create a celebration that feels personal, joyful and completely “you” – without losing control of your budget.

How Much Does a Wedding Cost in Australia in 2025? A Complete, Realistic Guide