When it comes to how much your wedding is going to cost there are many factors to consider, things like number of guests and location can play a major factor to your budget. Obviously the more guests the more things like venue, food, drinks (both soft drink and alcohol) will go up and location, 5 star venues and major/large city venues will usually cost more too.
In May 2017 Canster said the average Australian wedding cost $65,482 while In Style magazine in 2019 said expect an average of $53,168 while only 14% of NSW couples will spend more than $60,000 on their perfect wedding…… does this mean wedding prices are dropping? This could be due to a larger market decreasing prices to compete but it could also be that DIY weddings are more popular in 2019 than 2017 or that couples simply are looking at “the big picture” and spending less on a single day instead spending that extra on rings, honeymoon or house deposit.
So how do you set a realistic budget for your wedding?
You could sit there and research supplier after supplier, comparing the inclusions, location, venue size and more but as a newly engaged couple who wants to spend their time together surrounded by piles of paper or hours staring at a screen to find the best value suppliers then to call them and find they are booked out or they aren’t highly recommended.
When deciding on a budget be realistic, keep your feet on the ground and think about what you really need and want. Work out a rough amount you wish to spend, are you looking at $20,000 or $50,000. Remember that there is zero sense in anyone going into debt for a one-day celebration.
Do some leg work prior to your budget being set so you can set a realistic amount based on your needs.
Decide on a location then spend time looking at the local venues (as this is usually the highest costing item), catering (if not included with your venue). Take advantage of technology and email or message 3/4 of each of your major suppliers (Venue, Catering and Photographer/videographer), ensure you include things like where your looking at getting married on “X” date or at least a month that you plan on getting married, Location (in case travel fees apply), what you would like and of course how many people will need it (ie make up you may want the bride, 4 bridesmaids, and both mothers for make up). Then let them do the work for you!
They should be able to email you a price or a few packages that would suit your needs so you can see what that supplier would roughly cost…. now you can make your budget!
Think of your budget like this;
50 – 55% of Wedding Budget: Reception Venue and Catering
10% – 12% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Photography and/or Video
5-8% of Wedding Budget: Flowers and Décor
5% – 10% of Wedding Budget: Clothing, Make-up/Grooming + Accessories
5% – 7% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Ceremony
6% – 12% of Wedding Budget: Music and Entertainment (Photobooth etc)
1 – 3% of Wedding Budget: Wedding Stationery
2% of Wedding Budget: Transportation
2% of Wedding Budget: Favors/Bombonieres
2% – 5% of Wedding Budget: Oh Sh*t (the unexpected things)
Below is the breakdown on average in NSW for 2018 (based on 100 guests)
Venue: $16,539
Catering: $8,783
Cake: $533
Photographer: %3,500
Videographer: $3,280
Flowers: $2,047
Dress: $2,837
Grooms men Clothing: $1,588
Hair and make-up: $861
Ceremony: $774
Music and entertainment: $1,890
Photobooth: $1,035
Stationary: $833
Transport: $1,524 – based on 2 cars
Decorations: $1,456
Favours – these differ greatly but on average are $5 per person
HINTS
Take the recommendations of family, friends and specially other suppliers on who to book – remember these vendors are the ones who are out there seeing many others in action and will often recommend on service rather than knowing the prices.
Where possible head to local expos/wedding fairs for a variety of vendors (most also offer discounts or free extras at these events, as well as prizes to be won) or head to venue open days but keep in mind open days held by each venue may only show their preferred vendors or a limited number of local suppliers – ie some limit themselves to only 1 of each type of vendor at open days.
